Technical Expert – Strategic programme and partnerships development, TVET Programme

The consultant will lead the strategic planning and development of the TVET programme in Syria, including partnership development, resource mobilization, and programme quality enhancement. The role involves conducting sector reviews, stakeholder consultations, developing a three-year strategy, and supporting donor engagement and programme sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive review of secondary information related to the TVET sector in Syria, including existing UNRWA assessments, national strategies, sector reports, and labour market studies.
• Review and analyse findings from the labour market assessment undertaken by UNRWA during 2025–2026 and identify implications for programme planning and skills development priorities.
• Develop programmatic pathways for the TVET programme to contribute to sustainable livelihoods for Palestine refugees in Syria.
• Organize and facilitate consultations with key stakeholders, including UNRWA Headquarters, TVET and Skills Working Groups, Government of Syria line ministries, employers, training providers, and other relevant partners.
• Undertake visits to UNRWA TVET centres in Syria to assess programme strengths, challenges, opportunities, and future development needs.
• Facilitate workshops and consultations with UNRWA staff and management to identify strategic priorities and programme development opportunities.
• Lead the development of a comprehensive three-year TVET Strategy, including strategic objectives, implementation priorities, partnership approaches, financing requirements, and monitoring framework.
• Develop a financing and sustainability framework, identifying projected resource requirements, potential funding opportunities, and financing options for programme expansion and modernization.
• Present the draft and final strategy to UNRWA management and staff and facilitate validation workshops.
• Support the TVET Programme and Programme Support Office in identifying, engaging, and strengthening relationships with existing and potential donors and development partners.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and develop a partnership engagement strategy covering government institutions, private sector actors, UN agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and development partners.
• Identify opportunities for technical cooperation, industry partnerships, internships, apprenticeships, and training support for TVET students and instructors.
• Prepare concept notes, briefing papers, donor profiles, and partnership engagement materials to support resource mobilization efforts.
• Work closely with the Programme Support Office to develop funding proposals and partnership initiatives aligned with the TVET strategic priorities.
• Organize meetings, presentations, and briefings for donors and partners to showcase programme achievements, lessons learned, and future investment opportunities.
• Prepare knowledge products and communication materials highlighting programme achievements, good practices, innovations, and lessons learned.
• Review existing approaches to instructor training, professional development, and capacity building and recommend measures to strengthen teaching quality and institutional capacity.
• Assess current private sector engagement mechanisms, including curriculum development, industry advisory arrangements, on-the-job training, internships, and graduate placement systems, and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Review existing internship and workplace learning arrangements and identify opportunities to enhance student employability and labour market transition.
• Identify areas where UNRWA's TVET experience and expertise can contribute to strengthening the broader TVET and skills development sector in Syria.
• Develop recommendations for technical support and capacity-building initiatives that UNRWA could provide to national TVET stakeholders, ensuring alignment with UNRWA's mandate, strategic priorities, and available resources.
• Provide regular briefings and progress updates to the Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs/Programmes and submit monthly progress reports summarizing activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Prepare a final consultancy report summarizing findings, achievements, lessons learned, strategic recommendations, and proposed next steps for implementation.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited institution in Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Development Studies, Business Administration, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in TVET, skills development, workforce development, education, programme management, strategic planning, or institutional development.
• Demonstrated experience in developing TVET strategies, sector plans, institutional development frameworks, or similar strategic documents.
• Proven experience in donor engagement, partnership development, concept note preparation, proposal development, and resource mobilization.
• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, humanitarian, or recovery contexts.
• Strong understanding of labour market dynamics, private sector engagement, and employment promotion programmes.
• Experience in gender-responsive and inclusive TVET planning and implementation.
• Experience working with UN agencies, international organizations, development partners, or government institutions is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with UN programme management processes and donor reporting requirements is an asset.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting national TVET reform initiatives is desirable.
• Experience in workforce development and livelihoods programming is desirable.
• Knowledge of the Syrian TVET and employment landscape is desirable.
• Knowledge of and interest in issues affecting Palestine refugees is desirable.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, and representation skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated skills in report writing, proposal development, and preparation of strategic documents.
• Commitment to ethical standards, diversity, inclusion, and gender equality.

Skills

• TVET Strategy Development
• Programme Management
• Strategic Planning
• Institutional Development
• Donor Engagement Strategies
• Partnership Development
• Proposal Development
• Resource Mobilization
• Labour Market Analysis
• Private Sector Engagement
• Employment promotion
• Gender-Responsive TVET
• Inclusive TVET Planning
• UN Programme Management Systems
• Donor Reporting
• Report Writing
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Workforce Development
• Livelihood Programming
• Concept note drafting

Languages

English, Arabic