Job Description

Brief information about the project

The Private Sector Development and Technical Vocational Education and Training Program (hereinafter “the Program”), aims at promoting the private sector development with a high attention to employment impacts and a close integration of vocational education and training.

The programme module objective is to improve the conditions for sustainable economic development in the selected sectors (Agriculture, Tourism, Transport and Logistics) relevant for employment.

The programme will adopt the integrated approach of German development cooperation in employment promotion. It will address both the supply and demand side of the labour market to lay a better foundation for employment. 

To do this, the programme will operate in three intervention fields:

Intervention field 1 will aim to strengthen capacities for improving competitiveness in the sectors relevant for employment, these are tourism, agriculture and logistics/transportation sectors. 

In intervention field 2, private and public actors will cooperate to improve the labour-market relevance of selected training courses for these sectors. 

Intervention field 3, will seek to strengthen the regional and international exchange of experience in sustainable private sector development and dual-oriented vocational training. 

Expert on Private Sector Promotion (100 %)

The Private Sector Development and Technical Vocational Education in the South Caucasus Programme is looking for an Expert on Private Sector Promotion with focus on SMEs development.

The Expert on Private Sector Promotion with focus on SMEs development (100%) is responsible for:

• supervision and implementation of project activities, studies and research in the private sector development field (“intervention field 1“, and private sector related activities from other intervention fields) in the selected sectors (Agriculture, Tourism, Transport and Logistics) relevant for employment, with focus on SMEs development in the regions of Azerbaijan in the scope of the programme objectives, team agreements and/or agreements with the superior; 

• Expert contributes to intervention field 1 “Instruments are being implemented for promoting sustainable economic development in selected sectors relevant for employment”, and private sector related activities from other intervention fields. Expert also assures an intense cross-cutting cooperation and exchange with other Experts in the team responsible for other intervention fields, which have a component or related to private sector development/involvement of private sector;

• design of programme approach on how to support SME development on macro-, meso-, and microlevel, e.g. through:

• position papers and proposals jointly drafted by private sector organisations and networks in vocational training and economic development for employment

• improvement of business support and advisory services and capacity building services to MSMEs by public agencies and by business networks and association

• establishing or enhancing cooperation projects between businesses and between companies and public institutions in the inclusive and green MSME sector and vocational training

• supporting new or existing private sector actors in improving their competitiveness, etc.

• introducing further innovative approaches to private sector promotion in green and inclusive economy, e.g. social entrepreneurship, promotion of female entrepreneurship etc.

• organisation of, preparation for and participation in selected activities in the regions of Azerbaijan, ensuring of engagement and participation of private sector and SMEs in the programme activities

• assisting programme initiatives to provide professional advisory services to and cooperate with a broad range of target groups

• contribution to innovation and knowledge management, monitoring and reporting;

• contribution to the regional activities in the South Caucasus 

• Development of quality assurance measures, collection and documentation of best practices and lessons learnt

• performs other duties and tasks at the request of management

• Expert on Private Sector Promotion reports to: Team Leader PSD TVET Azerbaijan.

Regular personal presence and establishing close contact with public and private sector stakeholders in the pilot project regions of the Expert on Private Sector Promotion is crucial for the success of the action, therefore frequent trips with several-days stay to the regions are required.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Extensive experience in the thematic area of private sector promotion, SME development on macro-, meso-, and microlevel, business networks and associations, business support and advisory services and capacity building services to MSMEs, promotion of green and inclusive economy, linkage of vocational education and training to labour market, etc;
• At least 5 years of experience in comparable position
• At least 3 years of working in international projects and/or with International Organizations or international NGOs
• Previous experience to/in private sector development and SMEs promotion in Azerbaijan is required
• Master’s degree in Business Administration or similar qualification with a focus on the relevant field

Preferred Skills

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Proven ability to work independently and in the team
• Strong presentation and communication skills (written and verbal) 
• Excellent command of in Azerbaijani and English (oral and written)
• very good working knowledge of digital tools and technologies for information processing, communication, content creation, problem solving and computer applications (e.g. MS Office) as an independent user

Additional Notes