Training Engineer

Introduction

As Afghanistan now transitions to a new government, political uncertainty and security concerns signify considerable macroeconomic challenges ahead and the potential reversal of hard-fought development gains achieved during the past two decades. Immediate support for recovery and stabilization is paramount to address the needs of the displaced, refugees, poor and vulnerable, women, and youth, to help people and communities pursue their livelihoods, have basic services and be more resilient.

Within the scope of the UN’s Transitional Engagement Framework for Afghanistan (TEF, 2022) the UN has established the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan, serving as an inter-agency mechanism to enable donors to channel resources and coordinate support for an Area-Based Programming strategy (ABADEI). Through its Jobs for Peace and Resilience (JPR) Flagship Programme the ILO contributes to more peaceful and resilient societies through development cooperation projects that promote employment, decent work and social dialogue in fragile situations.  Guided by the ILO’s Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205) the JPR Programme combines employment intensive investments, vocational and entrepreneurial skills training, employment services and private sector and local economic development approaches in a coherent and context specific manner.

The ILO approach “Promoting employment and decent work in Afghanistan through the humanitarian-development-peace nexus” responds to the priorities of the UN partners and the ILO will, through its Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) , provide targeted maintenance and rehabilitation of rural roads and other basic infrastructure to improve access to communities and markets, in particular those linked to strategic value chain development and at the same time generate immediate decent employment and income opportunities for the local population, initially in the Northern Region of Afghanistan.  

By applying local resource-based approaches in the infrastructure works, the ILO also seeks to (i) increase participation of local communities in the planning and implementation of works; (ii) increase the creation of jobs and income by applying employment-intensive work methods; and (iii) secure the involvement of the local construction industry. The dimensions of asset creation, increased employment and income opportunities and more private sector business opportunities are expected to contribute towards sustainable and inclusive economic development, building synergies with the ILO enterprise development R2D4All project, with which the EIIP will be co-located in Mazar.

The ILO activities will also place emphasis on strengthening the capacity of local contractors and institutions responsible for the improvement and maintenance rural roads and other basic infrastructure, noting that engagement with the de facto authorities will, initially, be difficult. The project will build on ILO’s mandate to promote decent work for all, ensuring an inclusive approach that takes into consideration the needs of the local communities in the Northern Region. All activities will be gender-responsive, targeting households with the highest needs, and especially those with more vulnerable women, youth and people with disabilities. The project will be delivered by a team based in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, with oversight and management from the ILO Office in Kabul, and ILO specialist teams in New Delhi and Geneva.

Description of Duties

The International Training Engineer will be part of an ILO technical team based in Mazar-e-Sharif tasked to deliver the ILO EIIP Component of the umbrella programme on “Promoting employment and decent work through the humanitarian-development-peace nexus”. Within this framework, the International Training Engineer will be in charge of the training activities envisaged for the project infrastructure component in line with work plans, project documents, ILO policies and strategies, and in accordance with country programmes and administrative and financial procedures. Reporting to the International Project Engineer, the International Training Engineer will be responsible for the preparation and organisation of the overall capacity development programme – and the coordination of all capacity building activities. He/she will also be involved in the development and institutionalisation of the same activities within sub-national government agencies and support institutions. 

Under the guidance and supervision of the International Project Manager, the International Training Engineer will be assigned the following specific tasks and responsibilities:  

•   Contribute to and manage an integrated capacity development framework that is compliant with the four strategic objectives of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, and especially enhancing gender equality, equity and other cross-cutting outcomes. This includes an assessment of the current levels of capacity within partner agencies, contractors, and communities and the use of this information for further detailing the capacity development programme;

optional section (if needed)

•    Establish agreed and realistic targets for capacity development within the overall context of the ILO supported outputs;
•    Liaise with key partner agencies to ensure that the objectives and outcomes appropriately reflect and take into account government policy and practices associated with institutional strengthening, skills development and private sector support;
•    Work with the ILO team and stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure works are carried out by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills;
•    Plan, organise and coordinate training activities; 
•    Organise a training management system including mobilising trainers, selection of trainees, performance evaluation, certification, registration, etc.;
•    Train counterpart staff and provide instructors and trainers with guidance on training methodology for practical oriented courses for adult professionals;
•    Participate in the conduct of training courses, seminars and workshops;
•    Organise post-evaluations of the performance of courses and other training activities;
•    Monitor and report on contents of training, duration, location, number of trainees, etc., and together with other specialists and partners assess the impact of provided capacity development support;  
•    Participate in development of course material and refining these after the first courses;
•    Organise study trips and participation in technical seminars and workshops;
•    Ensure timely provision of inputs for training events, e.g. sub-contracts, trainers, facilities, equipment and supplies;
•    Support the management of budgets and prepare revisions as required;
•    Liaise and collaborate as necessary with UN partners on training activities in areas of common interest.
•    Mainstream gender and social inclusion in all project activities and reporting. 
•    Carry out other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor. 

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in civil engineering. 

Experience

3 years of experience in managing and implementing infrastructure works, of which 2 years relate to rural road works. Proven experience in working and engaging with governments agencies, private sector, donor and UN agencies, and a heterogeneous team composed of consultants, specialists, and local collaborators of different educational and cultural background - in remote and difficult settings. 

Technical requirements:
•    Minimum two to three years of relevant experience in technical skills training;
•    Sound organisational skills, in particular on training activity scheduling and implementation;
•    Ability to understand and formulate new training concepts and methodologies;
•    Ability to develop clear and relevant training material, course plans and course notes

Languages

Excellent command of English (oral and written).  

Competencies

•    Ability to independently initiate and carry out work activities with a clear focus on reaching defined outputs in a timely manner as agreed in project documents and work plans; 
•    Ability to interpret project information to identify and analyse challenges as a basis for finding appropriate solutions and provide technical guidance and support to staff and beneficiaries;
•    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
•    Ability to establish priorities and to plan, organise, coordinate and monitor project activities; 
•    Ability to establish good interrelationships with government and international agencies working in related fields;
•    Good understanding of gender equality and equity, gender mainstreaming and equal opportunity principles and approaches, and minority groups issues;
•    Well-developed and effective communication skills (verbal and written), able to present plans, results and guidelines, conduct presentations and clearly formulating positions, articulating options, making and defending recommendations and conveying difficult subjects to trainees and project partners;
•    Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office 365 and related software.