Program Adviser – Skills Specialist - Extractives

The Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is committed to broadening and deepening its engagement with African countries and institutions. The Australia Africa Partnerships Facility (AAPF) is one of the mechanisms used to achieve the second objective of Australia’s strategic approach to aid to Africa 2011-2015, which is ‘to help build the human resources capacity of African countries, particularly in areas and ways where Australia has recognised strengths and expertise’. The goal of the AAPF is to develop partnerships between Australia and African countries that contribute to achieving African countries’ development priorities.

The AAPF is managed on behalf of DFAT by Cardno Emerging Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd (Cardno). The AAPF’s head office is in Pretoria, South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

The AAPF is currently seeking a Programme Adviser who will manage Facility activities under implementation as well as ongoing design, review and ad-hoc tasking in the Extractive Skills Portfolio. Support the broader AAPF extractives team liaising with Australian and African Governments, mining bodies and other stakeholders, including the managing the relationship with SkillsDMC (SDMC). Also to undertake critical tasks relating to the preparation of reports, and adherence to quality assurance processes related to the delivery of Facility activities, in particular in the Extractive Skills Portfolio.

The responsibilities for this position will include but are not limited to:

Extractive Skills Activities:

Provide support to the Deputy Facility Manager – Mining Governance and mining governance team on the planning and implementation of Extractive Skills activities within the mining governance portfolio (which also include Community and Extractive and Enabling Environment Pillars).

The Extractive Skills portfolio consists of the following components:

1. Activities managed by SkillsDMC on grant funding from DFAT (e.g. twinning agreements with various TVET institutions, design of training policies and frameworks, etc.)
2. Activities managed directly by AAPF, such as the setting up of pilot TVET institutions in Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania through PPP with extractive companies.

Report and Activity Support:

• In collaboration with Facility staff, assist in the preparation of the Facility Quarterly and Annual Reports, Activity Completion Reports and various other activity reports as requested; and
• Be responsible for oversight of recording and collating facility networking and liaison contacts, to support DFAT and Facility reporting and activity implementation and design.Further responsibilities are outlined in the Terms of Reference. It is strongly recommended that this document is read prior to applying for this position.

Applicants who have previously applied for this position (previously titled Programme Adviser Mining Governance/Extractive Skills) need not apply again

​Essential Selection Criteria

• Knowledge and experience of extractive skills both at policy level and project implementation level. Knowledge of TVET systems would be an advantage
• Knowledge and work experience in Africa, including an understanding of capacity building issues as well as an appreciation of the importance of respective roles for the public (VETA) and private sector (extractive companies)
• Degree in International Relations, Development Studies or disciplines related to the Facility or portfolio;
• Experience in the administration and delivery of donor agency funded development projects. Familiarity with Australian Agency for International Development (DFAT) funded projects preferred;
• Understanding of the development project cycle, including monitoring and evaluating development projects;
• Excellent written and spoken English and demonstrated report writing skills. Ability to converse in French or Portuguese an advantage;
• Proven high level communication, negotiation and teamwork skills;
• A high level of computing skills including the ability to use applications in word processing (MS Word), financial spreadsheet (MS Excel) and project management (MS Project); and
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines yet at high quality

The Terms of Reference can be located here: Terms of Reference - Programme Adviser

Applicants who have previously applied for this position (previously titled Programme Adviser Mining Governance/Extractive Skills) need not apply again

Employee Benefits

​This position has been classified under the Adviser Remuneration Framework as Discipline C Job Level 3. For further information on the Adviser Remuneration Framework, please visit:http://aid.dfat.gov.au/publications/pages/3994_1809_6357_1618_6763.aspx

HOW TO APPLY:

​To apply for this position please email applications that address the Selection Criteria and a current CV, quoting “Programme Adviser - AAPF” in the subject line to Recruitment.EmergingMarkets@Cardno.com. Please also provide two professional referees.

Applications close 11.00pm, Sunday 11th January 2015.

Cardno is an equal opportunity employer and committed to child protection.

Any offer of employment will require criminal record clearance.