Consultant - TVET and Skills for Employment Consultations

Consultant – TVET and Skills for Employment Consultations

WUSC and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) are seeking a consultant to support an exploratory analysis of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Nigeria and contribute to the design of an initiative focused on supporting the transition of young people (including young women) from skills training to employment. This program aims to achieve improved employment outcomes for young people by improving workforce readiness and better aligning skills training programs with labour market needs, in alignment with the government of Nigeria’s economic growth priorities.

Background

WUSC is a leading Canadian international development organization that works with and through its southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957 and currently working in 25 countries worldwide with an annual budget of approximately $45 million dollars, WUSC’s mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. Our internationally recognized programs support youth, women and other marginalized populations, focusing on three thematic areas of education, employment and empowerment. Globally, WUSC works with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty and community leaders that can be leveraged to support our work.

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the national voice of Canada’s dynamic network of publicly funded colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics and Indigenous Institutes of Education. By convening, mobilizing, and championing the sector, we amplify the value and impact of our members to advance priorities that matter most to Canadians. With more than 95% of Canadians living within 50 km of a member institution, and thanks to its extensive reach around the globe, CICan works to position colleges and institutes as key partners in meeting Canada’s – and the world’s – biggest challenges.

Nature and Scope

WUSC and CICan wish to retain a consultant to support an exploratory analysis of the Technical Vocational Education and training (TVET) sector in Nigeria and contribute to the design of an initiative focused on supporting the transition of young people (including young women) from skills training to employment. This program aims to achieve improved employment outcomes for young people by improving workforce readiness and better aligning skills training program with labour market needs, in alignment with the government of Nigeria’s economic growth priorities. WUSC and CICan are specifically looking for a consultant who has familiarity with the Nigerian TVET system, the interplay between government, educational institutions and the private sector, can interpret and explain this to the team, provide linkages to key stakeholders, and support an analysis of the TVET and Skills for Employment realities in Nigeria. This analysis will include the following elements:

Context Analysis: Existing TVET System: Support the WUSC/CICan proposal development team to conduct stakeholder consultations with the aim of better understanding and analyzing the Nigerian Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Skills for Employment (S4E) sector, including 1) how it is structured (including existing coordination and employer engagement mechanisms), 2) major stakeholders at the national and state level (including key government, public/private and formal/informal training providers), 3) major programs/initiatives and areas of focus, 4) government priorities, 5) key relevant documents, policies and statistics, 6) key gaps and strengths within the existing TVET/S4E system for priority in program design to support institutional strengthening.

Labor Market Relevance & Sector/Geographic Targeting: Further investigate sectors with strong growth and employment/entrepreneurship potential for youth including renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, ICT, mining, health, manufacturing, aviation, and logistics, to align training with actual workforce demands, including demand among Canadian private sector companies active in Nigeria. Consider opportunities at a national and regional level, including priority geographies of Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and Nasarawa, and locations supporting sustainable economic growth objectives around Lagos. Support the initial prioritization of 2-4 sectors for further investigation leveraging WUSC and CICan assessment tools. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Environment and Climate Change (ECC) considerations should be mainstreamed into the sector evaluation criteria, including opportunities/constraints for young people (including young women and internally displaced persons (IDPs)).

Employer & Private Sector Engagement: Support the mapping of key industry associations, chambers of commerce, and private sector actors in priority sectors and geographies, prioritizing companies with linkages to Canadian industry. Support engagement with these actors to better understand labour market needs and skills gaps.

Support Gender Equality and Social Inclusion analysis: Collaborate with a Nigeria-based GESI expert to ensure that GESI considerations are mainstreamed throughout the research process, including supporting the identification of gender-based barriers and risks that may limit equitable access to education and skills development opportunities and transition to employment.

Leveraging global expertise: Work with WUSC and CICan to identify opportunities for leveraging Canadian expertise, networks, and institutional partnerships, including educational institutions, industry associations, colleges, polytechnics, universities, training providers, and other relevant organizations, to support institutional strengthening, capacity development, knowledge exchange, curriculum development, labour-market-responsive approaches to skills development, and sustainable collaboration between Canadian and Nigerian institutions.

Specific Tasks/Deliverables

Co-develop a detailed consultation plan in close consultation with WUSC and CICan. The workplan will clarify and refine the overall approach, methodology and timing for the consultations.

Take a leading role in identifying key stakeholders and organizing key consultative meetings in Nigeria for an anticipated 2-week scoping mission, leveraging private sector and TVET networks.

Participate in consultative meetings, taking detailed notes and working with the proposal team to interpret information collected.

Contribute to a consultation report following 2 weeks of field travel and consultative meetings.

Participate in a review and interpretation workshop with WUSC and key stakeholders.

Conduct in-country follow-up activities as required after the scoping mission.

Profile

Master’s Degree or MBA (or B.Sc. plus equivalent work experience) in Economics or other discipline relevant to this assignment.

Minimum 7 years of relevant progressive experience with national and international organizations, private sector companies and/or government institutions in the field of TVET.

Experience and competencies:

Experience with the Nigeria TVET sector, in a direct administrative role or as part of a development program.

Deep understanding and networks in the Nigeria TVET sector/system.

Experience working in or with the Nigerian private sector or private sector organization.

Work experience in the field of vocational training, employment promotion or career guidance is an asset.

Experience working with INGOs and various implementation partners, governmental and civil society is an asset.

Computing skills in office applications, including Word, Excel.

Other Information

Ability to perform diverse and complex work.

Ability to work in a participatory manner within an international team.

Experience in various types of reporting.

Ability to think systematically and strategically while setting goals and planning priorities.

Demonstrable commitment to gender equality and belief in women empowerment and youth development.

Fluency in English.

Experience working with multidisciplinary global teams.

Experience conducting similar assignments in Nigeria.

Based in Nigeria.

Working with WUSC and CICan

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer our personnel exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. Personnel at WUSC works hard to create impactful change through education and economic outcomes for young people. WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, consultants, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion and sexual exploitation and abuse of any form. WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be

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