Program Overview Laos Australia Institute is managed by Coffey, a Tetra Tech company, on behalf of the Australian Government.

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Program Overview Laos Australia Institute is managed by Coffey, a Tetra Tech company, on behalf of the Australian Government."

Transcription

1 Position Description Position Title Project Reports to Duration of Assignment Location Human Resource Development (HRD) Program Advisor (Alumni, GEDSI, Government) Laos Australia Institute Institute Director 2 years (with a possible extension) Vientiane, Laos Adviser Remuneration Framework Further information about the Adviser Remuneration Framework click here Discipline (A, B, C, D) B Level (1,2,3 or 4) 3 Program Overview Laos Australia Institute is managed by Coffey, a Tetra Tech company, on behalf of the Australian Government. The Institute provides the Human Resource Development (HRD) framework for the delivery of Australian Government scholarships, including Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) and Laos Australia National Scholarships (LANS). The program supports HRD policies, planning and implementation for the Government of Laos (GOL); through work with two key counterpart organisations, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA). The program has provided a range of short courses to those Ministries, Alumni (particularly focused on women s leadership), people living with disability and those working in the disability sector. The program remains committed to ensure equity for women, people living with disability and those living in the Provinces (especially those in designated disadvantaged districts). Position Summary The HRD Program Advisor will likely be responsible for leading the operational delivery and strategic design, and reporting on a range of program activities across LAI, potentially including: 1. Alumni engagement and professional development; 2. Gender and disability equity and social inclusion, actions and strategies; 3. Professional development (including mentoring) and strategic advice to the Lao MOES and MOHA; 4. Driving a positive change agenda for Australia Awards Laos and Laos Australia National Scholarships (including leading a HRD project targeting key academic support teaching staff of both National University of Lao (Vientiane) and Souphanouvong University (Luang Prabang) The Advisor will be responsible for ensuring that activities in these areas are based upon contemporary understandings of: gender equality; equity of access for people with disability; provincial and ethnic minority people; women s empowerment and professional participation; disability and social inclusion; and professional and applied learning. These will be managed in a PD-LAI HRD Program Advisor (Alumni, GEDSI, Government September 2018

2 way that is appropriate to the Laos context and the needs of participants. The Advisor will lead the mainstream inclusive practices across all LAI activities and design and oversight of inclusive specific activities. The Advisor will be responsible for ensuring that the design and delivery of short courses, professional development, mentoring and technical advice to ministries and support to Australia Awards fellowships reflects the needs and priorities of the program, is consistent with value for money and public and economic diplomacy requirements. Key Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Advisor are: Design/Strategy Review relevant literature, reports and data, including current strategies and activities of LAI and other HRD programs relevant to LAI s priorities to determine effective and efficient approaches and, based on lessons learned, adjust approaches and propose new strategies as required; Design and advise on strategies and/or strategic activities including, preparing detailed activity plans and budgets, and ensuring clear links to the LAI Program Design and Monitoring Evaluation Learning Framework consistent with LAI Phase 2 Design. The LAI Phase 2 Design outlines the non-scholarships HRD priority areas as: Targeted training and professional development for the Laos civil service including competency-based training in human resource management for MOES and MOHA; A package of specific activities, targeted training and professional development to contribute to women s leadership, with a strong focus on alumni; Alumni engagement, networks and continued investment in development of alumni. Key design and strategic inputs by the Advisor include: Assisting the Embassy to finalise the DFAT LAI Alumni Engagement Strategy; Developing the LAI Alumni Engagement Action Plan, that lays out the range of innovative approaches and activities to continue to engage with Australia Awards (AA) alumni, and to strengthen the engagement with non-aa alumni, consistent with the DFAT Laos s Alumni Engagement Strategy; Leading the Women s Leadership Program for women Alumni, including from Alumni of short courses, AAS and LANS; Leading the Disability Inclusive Development Program that provides English for development language training for people living with disability and those from the disability sector, and strengthens the learning environment and integration of students with disability on the LANS program; Providing strong direction, advice and support in the design of GEDSI specific and mainstream activities to ensure and access for people with disability and men and women who live and work in the provinces; Leading the implementation of the LAI GEDSI Strategy making recommendation for priorities, changed approaches and achievement of effectiveness relative to the country context; Identify needs and designing short courses, professional development, mentoring opportunities, and supporting the design of Fellowships for Alumni and partner Government Ministry that lead to the long term HRD outcomes.

3 Ensure use of Action Research methodology to promote evidence-based design and continuous improvement; and Engage with Coffey GEDSI team and other specialists to ensure that activities continue to reflect best practice and incorporate lessons from other AA programs. Delivery Implement specific activities and responsibilities, ensuring appropriate and high-quality activities at all stages; Manage and support the HRD team to fulfil duties and responsibilities, including performance management, work and task planning, monitoring delivery and providing feedback; Undertake regular planning, review and evaluation of progress to implement the Strategies using collaborative, team based approaches to monitor progress, and improve and adapt the Strategy as required; Provide advice, support and mentor the partner Ministries in implementation of the Lao HRD Strategy (MOES) and in strengthening the HRM approach to the management of the civil service (MOHA). Advise and support the Institute Director and work in collaboration with the LAI team, to strengthen policies and operational procedures in line with equity, equality and inclusion principles, and provide support for all staff to learn and comply with policies and procedures; Advise on emerging issues and opportunities in all areas of responsibility to support adjustment of on-going activities to ensure that LAI programs are in line with DFAT priorities and LAI Program Outcomes and targets; Monitor the budget and expenditures to ensure delivery of Activities are within the agreed budgets; Ensure that high quality monitoring data is captured at all stages of delivery as required for the MEL and to inform evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement; Ensure that opportunities arising from Activities, that are suitable for promotion of outcomes and public diplomacy, are captured and communicated; Manage the Women s Leadership Program, DID Program, short courses and Alumni Engagement Programs to maximize the benefit of participation; and Develop and nurture appropriate relationships with awardees/alumni and their employers, including Ministries, to open opportunities and strengthen existing opportunities. Reporting Attend LAI-DFAT monthly meetings to report on progress in areas of responsibility; Deliver routine progress reports as required to meet LAI and DFAT reporting requirements and in line with LAI strategic planning and reporting procedures; and Contribute to the development of Program strategic plans and reports across all LAI activities, ensuring that principles of equity, gender equality and inclusivity are effectively considered. Other Undertake additional duties related to the position as may be reasonably required by the Director. Selection Criteria Qualifications Post Graduate qualifications relevant to human resource development in public or private sectors.

4 Experience 10 years of relevant experience in HRD, management or education or an equivalent combination of relevant qualifications and experience Demonstrated practical experience working with women, people with a disability and minority groups to support and promote their capacity development and learning opportunities Demonstrated practical experience in both GEDSI specific and mainstreaming activities, actions and efforts in an international context (at both the organisational delivery and strategic levels) Demonstrated practical experience designing and leading HRD activities in an international development context (at both the organisational delivery and strategic levels). Experience working with and mentoring partner senior government officials would be highly desirable Demonstrated experience collecting and analysing data, including managing data bases Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation and reporting experience Experience managing budgets Knowledge and skills Extensive knowledge of current international thinking on gender and cross cutting development issues is essential Demonstrated contemporary understandings of gender equality; equity of access for people with disability; provincial and ethnic minority people; women s empowerment and professional participation; disability and social inclusion; and professional and applied learning Demonstrated knowledge of the Australian Government Aid Program and DFAT S Gender and Disability Policy and other related policies An understanding of the Australian Higher Education sector Knowledge and experience working with government preferably in Asia Understanding of the Australia Awards scholarship program Strategic thinking and analysis preferably in a program management environment Demonstrated planning skills Demonstrated mentoring and coaching skills High level presentation skills Excellent report writing skills Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint Personal Attributes Ability to think clearly and logically. A collaborative and constructive approach to problem solving and providing relevant solutions. Ability to provide flexible and creative responses to deadlines and competing demands. Proven capacity to work in a team and across teams. Display a positive and team player attitude. Self-driven with the ability to lead and manage others. Excellent inter-personal skills for building and maintaining effective working relationships. Demonstrated customer service approach to undertaking tasks. Effective communication skills, both verbal and written. Child Protection Coffey is committed to protecting the rights of children. We reserve the right to conduct police checks and other screening procedures to ensure a child-safe environment. About Coffey

5 Coffey has a 40-year history in successfully delivering international development projects on behalf of donors right around the world, including Australia s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, USAID and the UK s Department for International Development. Our people work side by side with local partners to support stability, economic growth and good governance, positively changing people s lives.