Galmudug State TVET Policy development Senior Technical Advisor

PROJECT: Technical Assistance and Partnership Facility [NDICI Africa/2023/451-029]

for a specific assignment: TAPF Multi-annual Work Plan 2025 – 2026 Support for Preparation and Development of the Galmudug Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy Framework

DAI is looking to recruit: Senior Technical Advisor (STA)- Preparation and Drafting of a Galmudug State TVET Policy and Framework

BACKGROUND

The European Union – Somalia Technical Assistance and Partnership Facility (TAPF) is a five-year initiative designed to support the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Somalia’s engagement in, and cooperation with, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and to expedite progress towards achievement of the 2030 global Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The project is being implemented through a service contract, signed between the EUD and DAI Global Belgium, and operates from DAIs offices in Mogadishu and Nairobi.

The project duration was initially scheduled to run for 36 months, from 1st January 2024 through to 31st December 2026, but this was subsequently extended to 31st December 2028.

OBJECTIVES

Project objectives
The TAPF has three main result areas:

I. Strengthening the capacity of the Government of Somalia, at both Federal and State levels, and in particular the Federal Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MoPIED), to deliver on its mandate, with respect to the National Transformation Plan (NTP) and wider development agenda.

II. Strengthening identification, formulation, implementation and monitoring of European Union funded programmes in Somalia, covering renewable energy, the environment, climate change adaptation and natural resources management, amongst other topics.

III. Enhancing partnerships and facilitation of policy dialogue on key topics for EU-Somalia cooperation.

The strategic objectives of the assignment will be to:

• Develop a comprehensive TVET Policy that provides a clear strategic framework for the planning, governance, regulation, and coordination of the TVET sector in Galmudug State;
• Establish a coherent and demand-driven TVET system that aligns skills development with labour market needs, state development priorities, and national education and employment policies;
• Develop a functional institutional and regulatory framework for TVET governance, including quality assurance, accreditation, certification, and competency-based training mechanisms;
• Strengthen coordination and collaboration among government institutions, TVET providers, the private sector, employers, and development partners to improve the quality and relevance of TVET programmes;
• Promote private sector engagement through industry partnerships, apprenticeships, internships, and workplace-based learning to enhance employability and entrepreneurship;
• Improve equitable access to quality TVET opportunities for youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups;
• Strengthen the capacity of the TVET system to produce a skilled, competent, and competitive workforce that supports economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development in Galmudug State.

SCOPE
General: Working closely with appropriate authorities at state level (the State Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development / MoPIED and State Ministry of Labor and Social Services / MoLSA senior management, and ministerial working groups, where they exist), and with TAPF Key Experts (KE1 and KE2) and Non-key Experts (the Galmudug State Level Coordinator – SLC), and coordinating between MoPIED and other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the NKE will assist in the design, preparation (through data review), draft formulation and subsequent validation of a Galmudug State TVET Policy, based on the existing Galmudug TVET engagement and aligned with other relevant state and national frameworks.

Target Groups

The State TVET Policy NKE will work with and be based in the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development in Dhuusamareb, but will liaise and coordinate with other relevant devolved institutions, such as:

• Government partners: Ministry of Labor and Social Services, sectoral ministries (Ministry of Education), etc.
• Private sector and non-state actors: Chambers of commerce, business associations, youth and women entrepreneurs, diaspora.
• Development partners: EU Delegation, and relevant international technical assistance providers.
• Financial sector partners: Commercial banks, microfinance institutions, cooperative societies etc.

The NKE will also interact with civil society organisations and interest groups (women, youth, IDPs), facilitating their participation in policy dialogue activities, e.g. district-level consultations, sector-based analysis and validation events.

Specifically, the Expert is expected to undertake and complete the following tasks:

Under the direct supervision of the office of the State MoPIED DG, with support from the TAPF Galmudug SLC, and under indirect supervision from the TAPF Team Leader and Key Expert 2, pro-actively lead the preparation and formulation of a Galmudug State TVET Policy, through direct engagement with state government counterpart MDAs and private sector stakeholders, by:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing national and state policies, legislation, strategies, education sector plans, labour market assessments, skills development initiatives, and other relevant studies related to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), employment, and workforce development.
• Coordinate inter-ministerial dialogue and, in collaboration with government counterparts and development partners, convene and facilitate district-level consultations and sector-specific stakeholder discussions to ensure broad participation by relevant ministries, TVET institutions, employers, private sector associations, development partners, civil society organisations, academic institutions, youth representatives, and other key stakeholders.
• Collect, compile, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data on the TVET sector, labour market needs, skills gaps, institutional capacity, and training provision, identifying key challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned to inform preparation of the draft Galmudug State TVET Policy, aligned with national policies and international good practices.
• Assess, in consultation with key stakeholders, the institutional, regulatory, and implementation implications of the proposed TVET policy reforms, including governance, financing, quality assurance, accreditation, certification, and industry engagement mechanisms.
• Revise the draft TVET Policy based on stakeholder feedback, technical reviews, and consultation outcomes to ensure broad ownership and practical applicability.
• Prepare a final comprehensive Galmudug State TVET Policy that provides a strategic framework for governance, coordination, quality assurance, financing, skills development, and labour market responsiveness, aligned with national development priorities.
• Organise and facilitate a State TVET Policy validation workshop involving representatives from state and district governments, TVET providers, employers, private sector organisations, development partners, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders.
• Build the capacity of relevant government officials and stakeholders on the methodologies, tools, and participatory approaches used during data collection, labour market assessment, stakeholder consultation, and TVET policy development to support effective implementation and future policy reviews.

REQUIREMENTS:

The Galmudug State TVET Policy development Senior Technical Advisor (STA) should possess:

• A university degree, preferably a Master's degree, in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Education, Education Planning, Workforce Development, Human Resource Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, or another closely related field.
• At least eight (8) years of practical professional experience in a senior advisory capacity with an international organisation, government institution, educational institution, private sector organisation, or non-governmental organisation, including at least three (3) previous assignments involving TVET policy development, education sector planning, skills development, labour market analysis, workforce development, or strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience as a Technical Advisor (TA), Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), or similar senior advisory role embedded within a government institution, supporting policy development, institutional strengthening, capacity development, and implementation of education, skills development, or workforce development programmes.
• Previous experience in organising and facilitating stakeholder consultations, workshops, focus group discussions, and participatory planning processes, with demonstrated ability to prepare technical reports, policy papers, presentations, training materials, and facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue.
• Good understanding of competency-based education and training (CBET), quality assurance systems, accreditation, certification, labour market-responsive skills development, and public-private partnerships in the TVET sector.
• Strong communication, negotiation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with government officials, TVET institutions, employers, development partners, and civil society organisations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Somali.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and report-writing skills.
• Extensive knowledge of Somalia's education, skills development, labour market, and institutional context, particularly within the Federal Member States.

The assignment will comprise a maximum of 40 working days, delivered over a period not exceeding three (3) calendar months.

The assignment will be implemented from the MoPIED & MoLSA offices in Dhuusamareb, Galmudug State.

Travel to selected Regions / Districts within the State will be required, to conduct consultations and other interactive undertakings, subject to relevant project and EU rules and regulations, including security protocols and the outcome of contemporary security assessments.

The TAPF Office Manager, based in Mogadishu, and the DAI Project Manager, based in Brussels will support the State TVET Policy NKE with operational and administrative issues, as required.

Deadline for submission of CVs: not later than 11th of August 2026

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.