Adam Smith International is seeking a mid- to senior-level skills development adviser to support the DFID-funded Kuza youth employment project in Mombasa, Kenya. Working closely with the resident team, the adviser will provide up to 10 days’ input per month for an initial period of three months, commencing in March 2015. Depending on performance and the project’s needs, there may be the possibility of an extension.
Background to Adam Smith International
Adam Smith International is a leading professional services business that delivers real impact, value and lasting change through projects supporting economic growth and government reform internationally.
Our reputation as a global leader has been built on the positive results our projects have achieved in many of the world’s most challenging environments.
Our wide-ranging experience can be grouped into two main areas that contribute to Government Reform and Economic Growth. Government Reform includes Justice, Security and Peace-building, Public Administration Reform, Public Financial Management, Revenue Reform and Education Reform. Economic Growth includes services in Extractive Industries Governance, Infrastructure, Climate Change and Private Sector Development.
We are headquartered in London, with offices in Nairobi, Delhi and Sydney, along with major project offices in many developing countries worldwide. Our projects are funded by a wide range of donor organizations, including the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Swedish and Danish Government’s development agencies Sida and Danida, the European Commission and the Asian Development Bank. In addition, we also work directly for host governments.
Over more than 20 years, Adam Smith International has implemented some of the most complex solutions in many of the world’s most challenging environments. We apply professional standards, technical know-how and cultural sensitivity to every context. We’re proven to bring the best minds together and are known for turning policies into action. Our work is award-winning, such as the most recent 2011/12 British Expertise Development Project of the Year, Major Project of the Year, Consultancy Project of the Year and Young Consultant of the Year.
Background to the project
The three-year, DFID-funded Kuza project (formerly the Mombasa County Youth Employment Project) intends to address selected root causes of youth unemployment in Kenya’s second city, and thereby to encourage productive and sustainable job creation for Mombasa’s young men and women. It will consist of a combination of demand-driven skills development, market and value chain development, and policy and advocacy support. The project will be market-led, so that jobs and skills are focused on sectors of the economy that have long-term growth potential, and will align itself with the objectives and plans of the national and Mombasa County governments.
Responsibilities
Provide support in maintaining the strategic direction (vision) for the project’s engagement in the skills development system, in partnership with the component manager, senior skills and workforce adviser, and intervention officer, and other programme components and sector stakeholders as required.
Provide technical assistance across Kuza’s skills development interventions:
1.Strengthening the implementation of a policy and regulatory framework for better management and governance of skills development and creation of employment opportunities.
Kuza will support the development and implementation of a policy and regulatory framework that support skills development and enhance the opportunities for youth to seek (self) employment and as a result increase their income level. A survey of the target group was conducted which provided the baseline for this intervention and identified specific needs and challenges that should be prioritised in the skills development sector.
2.Facilitating the effective involvement of the private sector in skills development strategy and delivery, improving the relevance of skills development initiatives for young people.
Kuza has identified two sectors in the economy that have been prioritised by the government on the basis of their growth potential and contribution to the local economy: these are the building and construction and the maritime sectors. Stakeholders representing the interests of the world of work, the world of education and the respective regulatory authorities have agreed to establish Sector Employment and Education Platforms (SEEPs). The SEEPs aim to help develop skills programmes that are demand-led and that upgrade the quality of the workforce in a structured manner. Through the SEEPs, it is expected that platform members will create awareness for on-the-job learning; offer internships; endorse occupational standards, promote demand driven competency based education and training programmes; train staff in mentoring and assessment of interns; and offer recognition of prior learning assessments to workers without diplomas or certificates.
3.Supporting the improved design and delivery of skills development programmes, improving the current teaching practice and support a change in learning towards a more learner-centred, modular and competency based approach that serves as a stepping stone for effective lifelong learning.
This intervention will comprise technical support to stakeholders in the development of occupational (training) standards, and in upgrading the quality of teachers and instructors. Relevant tools will include short internships for mentors and supervisors in industry, upgrading the qualification of mentors and supervisors in industry, and workplace based assessment.
4.Supporting the establishment of labour market information and training centres and providing short courses to young people in Mombasa.
Initially a pilot activity was established to train 1,000 youth in soft skills and business and entrepreneurship. Careful analysis revealed these skills to be most effective either for accessing the labour market or establishing one’s own business. In future Labour Market Information and Training Centres (LMITCs) – as one-stop service centres – will be established in collaboration with a variety of local CBOs, CSOs and other actors. Key functions of these centres will be provision of information (about labour market opportunities and skills upgrading facilities), career guidance, linking employment seekers to companies in search of labour, giving essential business advice to business starters, referring and supporting beneficiaries in accessing micro finance, organising work place attachments/internships and organising short courses for developing or upgrading skills.
Support planning of project activities and respond effectively to unforeseen developments in the sector, including developing additional intervention strategies.
Support coherence within and between interventions.
Support effective M&E, including updating sector results chains, completing baselines, developing indicators, measurement plans and impact projections for the sector (in conjunction relevant colleagues).
Selection criteria
We are looking for a dynamic and energetic team player with:
At least five years’ experience in a field relevant to the duties and accountabilities of the position;
Proven, in-depth knowledge of key challenges and opportunities in the skills development system (experience in Kenya, and ideally Mombasa, is desirable) with a particular focus on youth employment.
Strong understanding of the theory and practice of skills development and labour market initiatives in developing countries in Africa;
Experience developing new/improved ‘business models’ for a range of sector players, both private and public. The ability to rapidly build trust and credibility with these players and influence new ways of operating.
Excellent qualitative and quantitative research and analysis skills. Proven ability to rapidly gather and assess a variety of primary and secondary sector data, identify key issues and opportunities, and clearly present this information verbally and in writing.
Strong understanding of influencing policy and providing technical assistance to governments in the fields of skills development and youth employment;
Experience working with a range of public and private sector and civil society clients;
Preferably experience living and working in Kenya or elsewhere in Africa;
Excellent communications and writing skills. Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of Kiswahili is desirable.
An adaptable, constructive and positive working style.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply
Please send a CV and short cover email, highlighting relevant experience and expertise, and availability, to david.owens-callan@adamsmithinternational.com, with the subject line “Skills Development Adviser”. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.