Senior Technical Advisor

Colleges and Institutes Canada is looking for a Senior Technical Advisor (STA) to be based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The STA will serve as the in-country lead for the Empowerment through Skills Program (ESP), Tanzania, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The role involves working closely with key stakeholders across government, educational institutions, industry, donors, Tanzanian partners, and Canadian partners to support effective program implementation. ESP Tanzania is a 7-year program running from 2021 to 2028, supporting the development and delivery of skills training programs that benefit women and adolescent girls in informal and formal economies across Tanzania. The program provides community-based and institution-based training and strengthens financial, counselling, and family support systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for ESP Tanzania and ensure effective governance structures are in place.
• Align program implementation with the priorities of the Tanzania Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
• Represent CICan in Tanzania and engage with government stakeholders, industry partners, donors, institutional partners, and Tanzanian and Canadian program partners.
• Build and strengthen partnerships between Canadian and Tanzanian partners and stakeholders.
• Recruit, lead, and manage local staff and consultants.
• Oversee CICan’s office operations in Tanzania in compliance with local laws.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Ottawa to prepare annual work plans, budgets, reports, and financial documentation.
• Ensure sound financial management and accountability in line with CICan and Global Affairs Canada requirements.
• Lead program monitoring, evaluation, and risk management.
• Integrate cross-cutting themes such as gender, environment, and governance.
• Intervene strategically where needed to improve project outcomes.
• Provide technical expertise and lead the implementation of ESP Tanzania to support the achievement of program results.

Requirements

• Post-secondary diploma in International Relations, Education, Political Science, International Development, or equivalent.
• PMP certification (advantage).
• Minimum 10 years experience in leading/managing complex donor-funded international TVET/workforce development/skills training/youth employment programs.
• Experience engaging high-level government officials and maintaining effective government relationships.
• Experience with Canadian college/institute system (highly desirable).
• Experience with competency-based curriculum development, teacher training, TVET leadership delivery, student mentorship, entrepreneurship.
• Experience building industry/TVET system partnerships for training solutions.
• Experience in procurement, budget/financial monitoring, financial report preparation.
• Experience mobilizing diverse stakeholders (government, educational, private sector).
• Results-based management experience (ideally with internationally funded programs).
• Advanced MS Excel skills for budgeting, data analysis, visualizations, reports.
• Experience managing office operations, supervising staff, administrative functions (ideally international context).
• Power BI for data visualization/reporting (asset).
• Experience with international programs/stakeholders in Tanzania (desirable).
• Knowledge of advanced MEL frameworks for international donor-funded programs.
• Knowledge of quantitative/qualitative methods, data analysis, using data for program management.
• Knowledge of gender equality concepts/practices in international context.
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship/innovation within TVET institutions for employment/self-employment.
• Knowledge of business incubators/student innovation fund mechanisms (particularly Canadian context).
• Knowledge of advanced budgeting, financial monitoring, resource allocation, financial reporting.
• Advanced writing, reporting, presentation skills in English and Swahili.
• Knowledge of political systems, regulations, administrative practices in international environments.
• Knowledge of HR practices (recruitment, training, performance management).
• Knowledge of leadership/problem-solving methodologies in cross-cultural settings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and remote collaboration tools.
• Advanced Excel for budget management (formulas, pivot tables).
• Power BI proficiency (asset).

How to apply

• Interested candidates should submit the following documents in PDF format: Cover letter, Résumé.
• Applications should be sent by email to: [email protected]
• The email subject line should be: Senior Technical Advisor