HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is an independent development organization based in Switzerland and it has been operating for the last 65 years worldwide. HELVETAS is registered in Ethiopia as foreign organization with the Agency for Civil Society Organization to operate in the areas of Rural Infrastructure, Natural Resource Management, Support to CSO and Local Governments, Skill Development & Education and Emergency Response. See also. www.helvetas.org. HELVETAS Ethiopia is presently looking for motivated and competent professionals for the following position for a project entitled “SKY, Skill and Knowledge for Youth” in Amhara National Regional State.

SKY III seeks to improve employment opportunities for young women and men in the Amhara region of Ethiopia and in particular for disadvantaged youth in small and emerging towns. It aims to do this by increasing the access to inclusive short-term life skills, technical and entrepreneurship trainings and the access to information and services that support youth to start their own business or to find wage employment.

Job Summary

The position holder will bring in thematic competence in market-led skills training and result-based financing models and will provide technical support for the successful implementation of the SKY Project and for the achievement of the project’s goal, objectives, outcomes and outputs, thereby adhering to the principles, working approaches, and strategies of HELVETAS and the SKY project. The blended learning program and digital MEAL Officer (DBLO) works with project partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries, who are critical for the success of the project. S/he reports to the Project Manager (PM) of SKY.

The position holder will closely work with Zabai (a company which develops technologies and Methodologies for Digital Vocational Training Programs) and other partners for institutionalization of the blended learning approach in the formal vocational training programs in both public and private training providers and in partnership with Zabai shall develop a sustainable digital/blended TVET model that easily integrates with the Ethiopian TVET Context. S/he is responsible for the entire implementation of the program in the project and its scaling in the region and also responsible to facilitate and consult the labor and training Bureau for the development of a database which will help to get quality, timely and trustful data/information about youth who have participated from training to employment and beyond in the region. S/he is also responsible for developing a digital MEAL system for the project.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Digital/blended Short Term TVET Program

• Introduce digital/blended short term TVET program in the region, develop methodology and optimize the existing platform.
• Support the development of trainers and trainee’s toolkit, identify appropriate learning management system (LMS) in collaboration with Zabai that fits to the local context.
  Support the Technical development of Zabai learning hubs.
• Identify marketable occupations which can be addressed using the digital/blended learning program.
• Capacitating concerned implementing partners (sensitization workshops, TOT, experience sharing) with support from technical experts (e.g. Zabai)
• Select training providers, introduce the platforms, sign agreements and equip with digital learning facilities.
• Facilitate recruitment of trainees, for digital/blended learning program conduct and follow up training and job placement services by public and private training providers.
• Pilot the digital/blended TVET program and scale in other public training providers.
• In partnership with Zabai and the training provider create accounts for trainees, coach, monitor and evaluate the progress of the trainees attending the blended learning.
• Develop a Business Model create ownership of the government and advocate for the establishment of blended learning center in the region.
• Design an approach for financing (such as course fee from trainees, selling courses for interested organizations, sponsorships by telecom companies, sponsorships through advertising products and services).
• Define ownership, develop MOU and facilitate signing the agreement and follow its implementation.
• develop and review digital training program that is based RBF jointly with Zabai and training providers.
• Facilitating the scaling of the approach to new places in the region by the government and local partner (RBF Manager)
• Adopt the Business Model and training program for blended learning to private training providers.

Develop Digital Monitoring System /Database/

• Capture experiences of other organizations that have developed a database/monitoring system for skills development program: guide co-financing the development of the database for Bureau L&T with information from Kebele level up to bureau level.
• Facilitate capacity building of partners on digital monitoring system and follow its impact.
• Study and analyze the workflow of the bureau of labor and training from Bureau to Kebele Level and identify point of support for the bureau in developing the database.
• Consult with the Bureau of Labor and Training on the process of development and use of the database.
• Capture experiences and Produce factsheets, case stories, leaflets, and other forms of publications as outputs of quality monitoring and disseminate to concerned partners.
• Lead the development of a guideline for web-based job matching for graduates.
• Develop a digital MEAL system for the project.

Post Training Follow up and Support

• Facilitate development of post training follow up and support guideline and follow its implementation.
• Cooperate with other officers of SKY project for the development of monitoring guideline from recruitment to employment (inclusiveness in recruitment, gender transformative methodologies, approaches and facilities during training (both in school and cooperative training, employment verification, post training support like BDS, Loan, enterprise formation, working premises etc ))
• Support other officers of SKY project, in developing inclusive micro finance service guideline.
• Support venture competition programs, experience sharing and learning programs for graduates.
• Develop performance based yearly award/recognition program for partners.
• Support tracing of graduates digitally and assess impacts of the program. Develop a digital system for conducting tracer study.
• Capture and document best practices, lessons learnt and develop success stories.

Institutional Development Programs

With the main agenda being introducing digital/blended TVET program, and supporting scaling, sustainability and institutionalization of the RBF and other successful approaches, the digital/blended learning and digital MEAL officer is expected to

• Organize sensitization workshops, experience sharing sessions, TOT’s based on capacity gap assessment.
• Organize consultative meeting programs with concerned partners (TVET Colleges, Universities, Regional Science and
• Technology commission) for the proper development and implementation of the database.
• Facilitate the provision of financial and non- financial support to promote blended learning and digital MEAL system for bureau of labor and training and training providers.
• Ensure the proper documentation and use of the training and employment data.
• Help both public and private training providers to work closely with potential actors (sponsors of digital/blended TVET) and other stakeholders to establish business relationships for sustaining digital/blended TVET Program.

Planning, monitoring, reporting, learning and Networking

• Develop and review activity plans with supervisor and colleagues, partners, and stakeholders
• Ensure that activities are carried out according to approved plans and quality standard and that corrective actions are taken in a timely manner
• Assist in preparing quality reports as required by donors and counterparts, by contributing progress reports, lessons learned, and case studies for youth livelihoods activities
• Proactively develops and maintains a robust learning platform with all grassroots stakeholders and ensure that good practices are shared widely;
• Document and share innovative experiences
• Lead every intervention/activities towards systemic change
• Ensure that all activities related to youth training are implemented with full participation of respective partners,
• Ensure quality reports are produced as a result of the database (digital monitoring system developed).

Gender Equity and Diversity

• Ensure gender transformative approaches are in place in design, development and/or implementation of digital/blended learning curricula and training materials, and other activities during training, and job placement services.
• Ensure that the digital/blended training environment, training methodologies, facilities and services, and timing promotes and motivates women in general and the disadvantaged and differently abled youths in particular.

Job Requirements

EDUCATION: MSc, BSc in computer science, information technology, computer engineering, statistics and other relevant field.

EXPERIENCE:

• 4 years of work experience in areas of developing digital/blended learning, Database development.
• Good knowledge/experience about, TVET trainings, soft skill trainings (life skill and business skill) enterprise development, BDS service and MFI service.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation-use of digital systems for monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in developing TOR and conducting needs assessments, baseline surveys, tracer studies, labour market survey.
• Experience in systemic change (sustainability, scalability), Institutionalization of innovative experiences, market system development approaches, result based financing.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Digital/blended learning program (designing, selecting appropriate Learning Management system –LMS for digital/blended learning), Database development-programing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.
• Firm commitment to teamwork, gender equality, participatory approaches, and sustainable development.

COMPETENCIES: Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, partnership building, commitment building, pro-active problem solving, analytical ability.