Background of Sudokkho
Sudokkho is a 5-year skills training and employment programme, funded by DFID and SDC and implemented by Palladium in a consortium with Swisscontact and the British Council.
The programme seeks to test and scale-up market-driven, quality skills training systems within the Readymade Garments (RMG) and Construction sectors that will stimulate further investment in training by trainees, private training providers and employers. The programme’s target is that 100,000 poor people, including women and disadvantage populations, will earn increased income in skilled or semi-skilled jobs after successful completion of training
The programme supports Private Training Providers (PTPs) and Industry-based training initiatives (supply-side stimulation), and raises awareness about the value of skills development among the trainees and industry (demand-side stimulation).
Sudokkho builds upon the TVET reform agenda in coordination with the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) of the Ministry of Education (MoE). The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) supports initiatives that facilitate greater involvement of the private sector to ensure skills training is relevant and of high quality, thereby increasing post-training employment opportunities, as stipulated in the National Skills Development Policy 2011. The programme strengthens the institutional capacity and supports key functions of the Industry Skills Councils (ISC) in the concerned sectors and supports capacity building of national training consultancy service providers (TCSP) to sustain a long-term development process.
Further information is available on www.sudokkho.org
Key duties and tasks:
The Business and Market Development Officer will work as a key member of the sector team for the promotion and implementation of Industry-based Training (IBT) systems in the Readymade Garments (RMG) and Construction sectors. She/He will also work closely with Private Training Providers (PTP), facilitating them to realize business opportunities of catering training services to the RMG and Construction industries, and supply skilled workers as per industry need.
The Business and Market Development Officer will be tasked with the following.
- Support in the identification of partners (companies, factories, brands, buying house) within the RMG and Construction industries for introducing and implementing the IBT system. Seek opportunities to work as per strategy.
- Support in the identification of Private Training Providers (PTP) partners throughout Bangladesh for building their business, marketing skills and create linkages within the RMG and Construction industries.
- Engage in meetings and discussions with senior management of potential partner organizations, identify their needs, present the business case of investing in IBT system.
- Carry out on-site visits, undertake training needs assessment (TNA) and due diligence of partners (companies, factories and PTPs), based on which technical assistance plan will be formulated.
- Work closely with the Training Unit of Sudokkho and Training Consultancy Service Providers (TCSP) for the preparation and the implementation of technical assistance.
- Implement activities in order to achieve strategic objectives.
- Carry out frequent field visits to training sites, factories, and partner-stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of activities and follow-ups.
- Facilitate and support in Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM), and guide project partners in applying MRM tools. Where relevant, facilitate or contribute to data verification.
- Contribute to knowledge management, and assist in upscaling interventions based on lessons learnt vis-à-vis business opportunities.
General duties and tasks:
Conduct research and support the project in data processing and analyses and design strategies pertaining to skills and employment promotion. Remain well aware of developments in sectors relevant to the assignment.
- Gender and social inclusion
Ensure that within the assigned duties and tasks the Sudokkho Gender and Social Inclusion Strategy is fully applied, and where relevant seek cooperation with the Sudokkho Gender and Social Inclusion Officer.
Coordinate with Sudokkho Communications Advisor. As per the communication strategy, assist in sharing project’s achievements and learning to different stakeholder groups. Formulate innovative and effective means to disseminate project learning and experience to the industry stakeholders, project partners, development community and the wider audience.
- Monitoring and results management
Participate in Sudokkho planning and monitoring meetings where relevant. Prepare and agree on overall personal annual targets and key performance indicators as well as intermittent targets for specific tasks, and apply Sudokkho’s activity planning system.
Prepare field visit reports as per Sudokkho format, prepare periodic progress reports and contribute to communication materials.
During the scope of implementation of Sudokkho, additional tasks may emerge for which the programme takes responsibility; In the event that the Project Officer is considered suitable among the entire programme staff for taking up these tasks, and if workload permits, the Team Leader in consultation with his/her direct superior may assign these additional tasks.
Profile of the Business and Market Development Officer
The following essential criteria should be met:
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in working in the private sector or in a development cooperation context.
- Familiar with Market Systems Development (MSD or M4P) principles.
- Experienced in working with Private and Public-sector partners
- Familiar with the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) and Construction industry in Bangladesh
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, development or engineering. Master’s degree preferable.
- Proven excellent proficiency in MS Office.
- Excellent communication skills in English and Bangla.
- Strong analytical and organisational skills, and proven reporting skills.
Having the following expertise would be an advantage:
- A background in working with or in the RMG or Construction sector.
- Understanding of the skills development system in Bangladesh.
- Familiarity in working with planning and monitoring systems.
Working Conditions and Environment
This will be according to the Swisscontact Employee Manual.
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