Senior Technical Advisor – South Africa Based

Classification: Management 1

Reports to: Director International Partnerships, Caribbean and Anglophone Africa

Division: International Partnerships

Employment Status: Full Time

Salary : starting at $91,525 with a yearly raise

Background

The South Africa Skills Training Enhancement Program (SASTEP) is a 4-year, $5 million program, implemented in collaboration with the Vocational Education division of the Department for Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation). Based on needs identified by DHET, the program will build the capacity of lecturers to adapt curricula for online and blended delivery, and work to increase lecturers’ ability to use educational technology to support teaching and learning; strengthen the capacity of lecturers to work with diverse learners by providing training in how to accommodate disabled learners in their program delivery and assessments, how to use gender-sensitive teaching and learning approaches, and how to create safe learning spaces, particularly for female students; and to assist with the expansion of work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities available to students through the addition of new models for employer engagement and student participation, such as joint applied research projects and student-run enterprises. SASTEP aligns with the Government of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), in particular action areas 1 (gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls) and 3 (growth that works for everyone). The project will focus on active participation and inclusion of both women and men at every level of the initiative. CICan and DHET intend that this project will help provide opportunities for youth through TVET with a strong emphasis on services and systems that assist women and marginalized or excluded youth find work.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of International Partnerships, Caribbean and Anglophone Africa, the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) will be located in Pretoria and will lead SASTEP. The STA will be the designated CICan representative in South Africa and will engage with key stakeholders in government, educational institutions, industry, and donors. They will support South African and Canadian partners to realize the implementation of the program, ensuring the overall cohesion, coordination, and quality of contributions of Canadian partners and ensure effective collaboration and coordination of efforts. The STA will provide, as needed, technical and policy advice to stakeholders.

The STA will manage the office in Pretoria, South Africa, and will supervise local staff.

The STA will be expected to perform effectively at both policy and operational levels. Travel in South Africa will be required.

Responsibilities:

• Represent CICan in South Africa with key stakeholders (Canadian High Commission, Global Affairs Canada, South African government, employers, institutions, other projects, and donors), including relevant working groups;
• Ensure SASTEP governance, including preparing relevant steering and technical committees and other meetings;
• Manage local staff in the Pretoria office; ensure sound management of CICan presence in South Africa in line with local laws;
• Prepare annual work plans, financial and technical reports and annual budgets in accordance with the overall budget allocated by Global Affairs Canada;
• Ensure effective and coordinated implementation of SASTEP, including supporting the implementation of institutional/thematic partnerships between Canadian and South African TVET institutions;
• Ensure that the cross-cutting themes of gender, the environment and governance are implemented in the programs;
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation and risk management assessments and propose measures for improvement in order to achieve and sustain results;
• Ensure sound program budget management and office financial management;
• Ensure project implementation is aligned with MOE policy priorities;
• Provide technical and policy support to DHET and other agencies and partners;
• Engage with industry partners and facilitate linkages between industry and TVET institutions;
• Intervene strategically to improve project implementation.

Minimum Requirements:

• Post-graduate level or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in and/or with the Canadian college/institute system and network; knowledge of/experience with the South African TVET system an asset;
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in managing complex, donor-funded international programs, preferably in the education sector;
• Significant experience in budget and financial monitoring and the production of financial reports;
• Experience in skills training or TVET in the public and/or private sector with expertise in such areas as teacher training, planning, competency-based curriculum development and leadership and management training;
• Practical experience working in partnership with industry and TVET at a systems level to build effective training solutions to meet industry needs;
• Practical experience with results-based management and monitoring, evaluation and learning in international donor-funded programs;
• Significant and demonstrated experience applying gender equality concepts in an international development context;
• Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving capacity in cross-cultural settings and participatory management context;
• Strong writing, reporting and presentation skills;
• Fluency in written and verbal English required;
• Demonstrated ability using Microsoft Office Suite, Web and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools.

Core Competencies:

To be successful in this position you will be able to exhibit our core competencies:   

Agility: We thrive in a complex environment that requires nimbleness and adaptability, and we anticipate and respond to changes with quick and resourceful actions.

Inspiring Others: We motivate individuals to strive for excellence and commit to common goals and purposes, as we create a sense of self-efficacy, resilience, and persistence in others.

Integrity: We treat others fairly and respectfully, and we further the standing of the organization and its relationships of trust with our members and other stakeholders.

Collaboration: We work together, across teams and divisions, to leverage our collective expertise and talents in support of organizational success and a culture of cooperation.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé in a PDF format before November 17th, 2023.

CICan is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We recognize that diverse teams generate unique solutions, ideas, and perspectives. Therefore, we welcome and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) individuals, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Do not hesitate to contact 613-746-2222 x 5827 if you require alternative arrangements to submit your application. CICan provides accommodations during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

CICan is following local public health guidelines as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. When allowable to work from the office, we have a hybrid approach with individuals working from both home and the office. Depending on the requirements of the role, the opportunity may exist to work completely remotely.

It is a mandatory condition of employment that the successful candidate be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with Government of Canada approved vaccines at least 14 days prior to start date (proof of vaccination is required or proof of accommodation pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code).

Employees who are full-time internal candidates, as defined by the Collective Agreement, will be given first consideration. We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected to continue in the selection process will be contacted.

CICan’s offices in Ottawa are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.

Colleges and Institutes Canada is named one the 2022 National Capital Region’s Top Employer and the proud recipient of the Non-Profit Employer of Choice Award.