Company Description

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive
Sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyzes partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion are fundamental to who we are and what we do. This is reflected in our vision, mission, and strategy, which set out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org.

Project background

SNV Ethiopia will be implementing an anticipated flagship programme focused on enabling 800,000 rural young women (RYW) to access dignified and fulfilling jobs. The programme will target high-potential agricultural value chains (e.g., horticulture, poultry, dairy), using a market systems development approach in seven regional clusters.

It emphasizes transformative gender and social inclusion (GESI) and aims to address structural and socio-cultural barriers that limit young women’s participation in economic life. Implementation will be decentralized, with strong collaboration across local TVETs, youth centers, community organizations, and public service institutions.

Summary of the position

The Skill Development Advisor provides technical leadership at the cluster level to design, coordinate, and oversee inclusive, gender-responsive, and market-relevant skills development interventions for rural young women (RYW) and persons with disabilities. The role involves engaging and strengthening local training providers, supporting woreda facilitators, and promoting the integration of digital, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy training into existing systems, strengthen the local skills ecosystem, enhance access to training and improve service quality.

The Advisor ensures training is accessible and responsive by introducing flexible delivery models, embedding inclusive practices, and customizing content to the local context. The position also supports quality assurance, contributes to learning and reporting, and represents the program in cluster-level coordination platforms to align training supply with market demand and youth aspirations. The role reports to the Cluster Coordinator and is technically guided by the Skill System Advisor at national level.

Job Description

• Lead the planning, design, and rollout of skills development interventions within the cluster in alignment with annual and quarter work plan and national program strategy.
• Oversee the implementation of tailored training packages (entrepreneurship, agribusiness, digital & financial literacy, value chain trainings) adapted for RYW and persons with disabilities as per the approved cluster plan
• Ensuring the quality of trainings and training materials to be organized to various groups of project participants, service providers and other TOTs.
• Support and participate in the training and other capacity building activities of Youth Savings and Loan Associations (YSLA).
• Identify, assess, engage and strengthen local skill service providers such as A/TVETs, youth centers, OSSCs, universities, private training providers, etc to co-develop and deliver inclusive, gender-responsive, and digital-integrated training.
• Provide technical guidance to woreda facilitators on service provider engagement, and follow-up
• Actively participate in customizing training manuals to make it contextualized and tailored to the cluster context
• Provide inputs on the development of strategies to reduce barriers for RYW and persons with disabilities to access training and skills services.
• Support flexible and innovative training delivery models (e.g., mobile training, community-based learning, digital advisory services) to increase accessibility.
• Promote and support the adoption of digital advisory and learning tools in collaboration with training providers.
• Work closely with GESI, safeguarding and other advisors to ensure training delivery in the most accessible, inclusive and tailored way addressing the needs of all program participants (RYW, Persons with Disabilities and young mothers)
• Support efforts to embed inclusion mechanisms (e.g., assistive devices, childcare services, safe space) within training institutions to enhance participation for young mothers and persons with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Agriculture, Youth Development, TVET, Social Sciences, or a related field. Preferably master’s degree in the field mentioned.
• 8 years of relevant experience in skills development preferably in rural youth employment and agricultural value chains.

• Proven experience in working with TVET institutions, private training providers, and public skill development systems.
• Strong understanding of GESI, safeguarding, and inclusion approaches in training.
• Experience in coaching and capacity building of field staff and local actors.
• Proven expertise in adult learning methodologies and youth entrepreneurship experience in tracking training quality and gathering field data.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned cluster.

Competencies

• Problem analysis
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National, Full-time

This position will be based on donor funding and approval confirmation.

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Duty Station: Arba Minch

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on August 4, 2025. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality.
If your experience and skills match the position's requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for both nationally and internationally determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.