Colleges and Institutes Canada Job Vacancy Application Details

CONTEXT/ BACKGROUND

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the national, voluntary membership organization representing publicly supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics in Canada and internationally. As the national and international voice of Canadian colleges and institutes, we link member institutions to partners all around the world. Our members’ expertise contributes to reducing poverty and inequality, especially for women, youth and disadvantaged populations, by transforming post-secondary education systems and providing employment-based training.

CICan has entered into an agreement with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to undertake the project entitled: Supporting Innovation in the Technical and Vocational Education Sector: Towards Productivity and Competitiveness (SITVES). This three-year initiative seeks to better equip young Kenyan Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates to access new economic opportunities through improved skills.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• Support new or existing innovation centers or research departments in Kenyan TVET institutions to carry out action-based and industry-oriented research in conjunction with hubs, start-ups, SMEs and the private sector;
• Support initiatives that combine TVET with entrepreneurship using a business development approach through training, mentoring, incubation, learner placement, internships, on-the-job training programs and network access to catalyze economic growth in Kenya;
• Build and enhance capacity of vocational institutions to undertake research with a focus on the analysis of the emerging labor market from a gender perspective, linkages to the private sector and understanding stakeholder priorities;
• Identify and document best practices that favor the employability of TVET graduates, and recommend policies to support and scale-up TVET in Africa;
• Support activities focusing on developing a gender policy for TVET in Kenya
• The above listed objectives are being supported through the disbursement of funds via a TVET Innovation Fund to sub-grantees and consultants that were selected through a competitive request for proposals. The Fund consists of three pillars:
• 1) Innovation and Applied Research Hubs: To build and support the capacity of 4 TVET institutions to undertake applied research initiatives.
• 2) Gender Equality in TVET: To examine gender equality gaps and propose both policy and practical applications through research grants to 3 TVET institutions.
• 3) Action Research: To conduct action-oriented research linked to local community development challenges through by 3 TVET institutions.
• The disbursement of funds is being managed by CICan. Furthermore, this project is being implemented in collaboration with the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) and a consultancy arrangement with Linking Industry with Academia (LIWA). A Canadian institution, George Brown College, has also been hired as a consultant to provide technical support to 4 TVET institutions under Pillar 1.
• POSITION SUMMARY
• CICan is currently seeking a full time Innovation Fund Coordinator to support the SITVES project. Reporting to the Manager of Operations, Caribbean and Anglophone Africa and working closely with the Senior Program Officer (SPO), the Innovation Fund Coordinator will be responsible for monitoring and assuring compliance of subgrantees to the grant fund terms and conditions; organizing program steering committee/evaluation committees meetings; reviewing all financial and narrative reports; coordinating the disbursement of funds to subgrantees/consultants; drafting reports for the IDRC with input from subgrantees/consultants; and assisting in organizing national workshops and training sessions.
• Candidates for the Innovation Fund Coordinator position should preferably have experience providing administrative and financial support for grants, experience in writing funder reports, experience organizing meetings/workshops, strong communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work with a high degree of independence.
• RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with the SPO in the management of subgrantees/consultants’ contract, deliverables, monitoring of contract compliance, and facilitation of timely payment of invoices.
• Work with the SPO in the management of overall delivery of the project objectives and activities and financial resources provided for in the project budget.
• Support the SPO with the review of financial reports and narrative reports from sub-grantees/consultants including processing of advances and payments.
• Ensure the proper completion of financial and narrative reports from subgrantees/consultants by providing guidance, mentoring, support and answers to enquiries.
• Act as a primary point of contact with subgrantees/consultants. **
• Coordinate all communication to, and nurturing of relationships with, project partners and subgrantees/consultants through in-person and digital means (phone, email, MS Teams, etc.).
• Support the SPO in the drafting of workplans and budgets.
• Monitor project progress towards objectives to manage project milestones and outputs and support the drafting of reports to IDRC.
• Organize and coordinate events as required, including program steering committee meetings, training sessions and learning events.
• Provide guidance and problem-solving support for project related issues.
• Draft Terms of Reference, Request for Proposals (RFP) documents, and contract for sub-grantees/consultants when necessary. **
• Contribute to internal and external knowledge-sharing, dissemination and implementation strategies to support project objectives.
• Contribute to corporate planning and discussions in line with CICan strategic goals and objectives, including on issues of Gender Equality on projects.
• Proactively share ideas to improve the overall project effectiveness, and efficiency of the project.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

• Minimum undergraduate degree in Business, Social Sciences, Finance, Accounting, or any other related degree.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in managing/implementing research grants or applied research-focused initiatives.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and research skills.
• Experience working on international development projects, ideally in the education and/or TVET sector.
• Experience organizing meetings and large events including training sessions and forums/conferences.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, meet deadlines and prioritize.
• Demonstrated competence in the planning, implementation, administration, and reporting of donor-funded projects.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an aptitude for teamwork to promote and encourage a culture of learning and sharing.
• Ability to lead, work independently and under pressure with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability using Microsoft Office Suite and knowledge of various software programs.
• Fluency in written and verbal English.
• Swahili language is an asset.