About the Jobs, Skills and Finance (JSF) for Women and Youth in The Gambia
The “Jobs, Skills and Finance (JSF) for Women and Youth in The Gambia” Programme funded by the 11th European Development Fund and contributes to stabilizing the economic, social and security situation of the country during the democratic transition by facilitating social inclusion and employment of the youth and women, with a specific emphasis on promoting gender equality and addressing climate change. The overall intervention logic for the project includes three complimentary result areas:
  • green and climate resilient local investments through “cash-for-work” and procurement to local MSMEs (under the LoCAL mechanism - ER 1.1)
  • skills development programmes (ER1.2).
  • improved access to finance (ER 2.1).
JSF implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF – lead agency) in collaboration with ITC. The scope of ITC’s support focuses on improving the relevance, effectiveness and accessibility of vocational and technical training to improve employability and job creation (ER 1.2). The target beneficiaries are youth and women in the rural Gambia (North Bank Region, Lower River Region and Central River Region). The project has an overarching focus on promoting a green economy which will guide the identification and selection of economic sectors of opportunities such as renewable energy, sustainable construction and eco-tourism, soil and water management, climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, agro-processing and agro-marketing, in line with the menu of investments of the local investments (LoCAL) mechanism. The project will also support the government in providing strategic direction and coordination at national and regional level for a market-oriented TVET system, strengthen the capacity of training providers and effectiveness of their services, and support the roll-out of training opportunities for youth and women. The TVET component of JSF covers the following areas:
Development of a National TVET Roadmap and skill gap assessment for priority sectors: the project will support the government in providing strategic direction and coordination at national and regional level by facilitating the development of a National TVET Roadmap. In keeping with The Gambia’s National Development Pan and building on existing assessments and strategies, the National TVET Roadmap will help create consensus for action among public and private stakeholders on key strategic decisions. It will help define priorities for TVET investments and upgrading of training offers; facilitate coordination and coherence of initiatives in support of TVET development at the national and regional level (including guidance for decentralization of training offerings in rural Gambia); support the creation of knowledge platforms; and identify capacity building needs. The TVET Roadmap will be complemented by the establishment of a coordination framework to create a demand-driven TVET system responsive to labour market needs and related capacity building support.
Increased value proposition (quality, affordability and accessibility) of training offerings to youths and women in target regions: the project will facilitate the expansion of training services to rural communities with a focus on sectors conducive to building a greener and more resilient local economy such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, eco-construction or sustainable tourism.  A competitive, results-based approach will be applied in disbursing funds to training providers to ensure that training programmes address the needs of Gambian youth and women in rural communities and target employment and/or self-employment outcomes. The project will also strengthen the capacity of existing training institutions and provide support in reviewing, updating their curriculum, teaching material, and acquiring equipment. The revision of the curriculum will be done jointly with sector stakeholders, including representatives from the educational public sector (MoHERST and NAQAA) and the private sector.
Improved quality of informal skills training and apprenticeship programmes. The project will support the “recognition of prior learning” and facilitate the placement of graduates in Gambian companies through internship, traineeship and apprenticeship programmes as an important avenue for skills development and job creation. Synergies will be drawn with cash for work programme to enhance on-the-job learning opportunities available to youth and women.
The scope and priorities of the technical and vocational education and trainings will be informed by the menu of investments for performance-based climate resilience grants (PBCRG) provided by the JSF project under result 1.1 as well as the sector of economic opportunities. The latter will be captured by the TVET roadmap designed and validated with partners. The selection of the sectors of economic opportunities are guided by the findings from previous assessments such as the Youth and Trade Roadmaps that identified gaps and priorities in the tourism, agribusiness and ICT related sectors as well as other relevant assessment and development plans by the government such as the MSME cluster development strategy. The sectors of economic opportunities pursued by JSF will balance the strategic priorities and plans for economic decentralization at national level with tangible opportunities in the priority regions.
UNCDF and ITC will create synergies and complementarities as UNCDF provides capital/access to finance solutions that will create skills demand (under the “Local Climate Adaptive Living” or “LoCAL” facility), while the ITC component will contribute to skills development. In addition, the business and entrepreneurs whose skills have been developed will also have access to capital/ finance through the UNCDF project activities. ITC will collaborate with institutional training providers in the vocational training and education sector. ITC project will also work with providers of non-formal training schemes focusing on-the-job learning and apprenticeship programmes. The project will develop partnerships with private sector associations and companies to seek market-oriented skills development and to facilitate dissemination of training services in a sustainable fashion.
The position will be based in the ITC office in the Gambia which is responsible for the efficient and effective implementation of the project component. The Operations and Monitoring Officer will work under the supervision of the ITC Programme Manager and in close collaboration with the whole JSF team including the JSF Programme Manager, technical staff responsible for the implementation of other project components as well as field officers stationed in priority regions.  

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Function / Expected Results: Operations management
  • Support organization of events, trainings and workshops including preparation of budgets, booking of meeting facilities and other services;
  • Support procurement of materials, equipment and services: requests for quotations, preparation of procurement documents, budgets, reception of goods; 
  • Carry out operations in UN-wide the enterprise management system, UMOJA;
  • Prepare grant MOU documents and manage agreement and signature processes;
  • Facilitate other partnership agreements under the project;
  • Provide inputs for project newsletter and other communication materials;
  • Keep records of project commitments including Grant MOUs, procurement, imprest account, car maintenance;
  • Keep and manage project files;
  • Prepare meeting minutes;
  • Keep records of project beneficiaries and partners and facilitate related CRM functions;
  • Ensure mail correspondence with project stakeholders, draft and manage incoming and outgoing correspondence and official communications;
  • Manage services and material required by the project office; maintain inventories.
2. Function / Expected Results: Project Results and Financial Monitoring
  • Set up structures for financial operations and budget monitoring tools;
  • Develop results monitoring and reporting templates;
  • Assist in the preparation of project budgets in accordance to work plans;
  • Monitor the implementation of grant MOU budgets including results monitoring and expenditure tracking against results and budget categories;
  • Manage and file receipts;
  • Carry out field visits including monitoring visits;
  • Prepare reports against the project budget and results framework based on the inputs from stakeholders, project coordinator and project technical advisor;
  • Provide training and capacity building support for implementing partners;
  • liaise with the ITC youth and trade programme team for reporting guidance about the programme and provide regular inputs on data and success stories;
  • Undertake other tasks assigned by the supervisor in support of efficient implementation of the project.
Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Well planned and timed project activities
  • Timely availability of inputs and resources for project interventions
  • Accurate and timely provision of financial and results information

Impact of Results

  • Achievement of delivery targets and results as outlined in the project work plans
  • Efficient and accurate financial monitoring
  • Effective national capacity building of national stakeholders and beneficiaries by the project
  • Good communication and positive image of the project in The Gambia
 

Competencies

ITC’S VALUES are: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
ITC’S CORE COMPETENCIES are: Communication, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, Accountability, Creativity, Client Orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Technological awareness.
ITC’S MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES are: Vision, Leadership, Empowering Others, Managing Performance, Building Trust, and Judgment/Decision making.
For further information on competency based interview please visit: www.intracen.org.
 Functional Competencies:
  • Strong problem solving and analytical skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively in teams
  • Ability to identify priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required
  • Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines
Technical Competencies:
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Demonstrated track record in project management including financial monitoring
  • Good result-based management skills
  • Excellent drafting and communication skills
  • Excellent IT skills with MS Office suite and particularly
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Work experience:
  • Master Degree or equivalent in international trade, Business Administration, Development Studies or related field. 
With Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the field of technical assistance Including some experience in project management, administration or related field
                                                                OR
A Bachelor’s degree in international trade, Business Administration, Development Studies or related field
With 4 years’ experience in the field of technical assistance Including some experience in project management, administration or related field
Language Requirements:
  • Advanced English with excellent written and oral communication skills is essential
  • Knowledge of local languages is a plus
Required knowledge and skills:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of challenges to trade development and youth employment in The Gambia
  • Very good understanding of public institutions in The Gambia and their mandates as well as of private sector needs and expectations
  • Very good understanding of project result-based management and coordination
  • Proven leadership, advocacy and management skills and ability to operate in multi-stakeholder contexts
  • A track-record of successfully implementing projects
  • Excellent drafting and communication skills
Desirable knowledge and skills:
  • Knowledge of the UN system and procedures or experience of EU-related projects would be an asset.