Sector Officer - Swisscontact

Swisscontact is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the position of 'Sector Officer' for the Building Skills for Unemployed and Underemployed Labour (B-SkillFUL) Phase II programme. B-SkillFUL Programme Phase II is a four-year (2020 – 2024) skills and enterprise development programme, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, and implemented by Swisscontact. It contributes to Switzerland's overall goal in Bangladesh, which is to bring about a more equitable society that enjoys inclusive and sustainable growth, aligned with the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations. The programme aims to improve productivity and competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and create better jobs by promoting Business Development Services (BDS) to at least 800 MSMEs and Workplace Based Training (WBT) to at least 13,000 new and existing workers. The programme is also promoting improved working conditions, gender equity, social inclusion, and more environmentally sustainable practices among participating MSMEs.

To support us in the programme activities we are looking for self-motivated Sector Officer for its Dhaka Office.

Employment start: As soon as possible.

Contract duration: Initially 1 (one) year (renewable until end of the project period 31st August 2024).

Place of work: B-SkillFUL phase II programme, Dhaka Office.

No. of Position: 02

Field visits play a large part in the incumbent's activities; as such, it is expected that the incumbent is willing and able to take part in such activities as needed and sometimes under short notice.

Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree in Economics/Engineering/Development Studies or other relevant discipline.

Experience: At least three (3) years of relevant work experience in the field of development cooperation with expertise in private sector development/ market system development with INGO/NGOs, BDS providers, sector-based organisations and/or research firms.

Note: Educational background and working experience in the leather or the light engineering sector is preferred.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Sector Officer (Dhaka) is responsible for:

• Supporting day to day implementation, supervision and quality assurance of intervention activities.
• Assisting the Coordinators in sector analyses and identifying sector constraints and possible solutions in the three sectors of the programme: Leather Goods, Furniture Making and Light Engineering sectors.
• Assisting in collection of latest information about relevant Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) in the three sectors of the programme.
• Collecting and distributing information about other private sector partners like Training Service Providers, BDS providers, industry experts, etc. and
• Assists researching and disseminating the latest market trends, market system development innovations and other issues facilitating private sector engagement in the programme's three sectors.

Core Competencies and Additional Requirements:

• Good understanding of Markets Systems Development approach and facilitation including coaching, relationship building, communicating, open and willing to work on new initiatives
• Experience in supporting the implementation and/or monitoring of market-driven interventions for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
• Experience in supporting program planning and reporting processes such as work planning and reporting progress against programme milestones in monthly, bi-annual and annual reports.
• Capacity to liaise closely with the relevant private sector (SMEs, associations, specialized organizations), government bodies, (I) NGOs and other projects at district/sub-district levels.
• Experience or knowledge of furniture making, light engineering and/or leather goods sectors will be given preference.
• Familiarity with Work Based Training (WBT) and Business Development Services (BDS) to support SMEs is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and with limited supervision.
• Awareness of issues relating to gender and decent work related to SMEs.
• Willing and able to take part in field activities in target locations (that include Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, and Bhairab) as/when needed, sometimes under short notice.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Bangla.
• Excellent computer literacy in MS Office programmes (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook); and
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to multitask effectively under pressure.

Others:

• Collaborate with the other programme units for efficient and effective project implementation and mutual learning.
• Support implementation of Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM) system of the programme; and
• Any other task as mutually agreed by supervisor and the employee

Swisscontact offers attractive working conditions in an international and multicultural context. We see our work as a joint effort in an agile organizational culture: mutual respect, trust, and teamwork.

Application details:

Please email your application form (downloaded from Swisscontact website only) along with a cover letter (elaborating your competencies for the position and your expected salary) to [email protected] addressing Manager, Business Administration, B-SkillFUL Phase II Programme, Swisscontact Bangladesh.

Email Subject: Sector Officer for Dhaka Office, B-SkillFUL Phase II

Application submitted without using the assigned job Application form and a Cover letter; elaborating your competencies for the position and expected salary) will not be accepted. Please mention "AF_Full name" and "CL_Full name" you are applying for the file name.

The job description and the application form can be downloaded from our website https://www.swisscontact.org/en/countries/bangladesh/jobs. Please mention the exact title of the position in the "subject line" of your email. Applications must be submitted on or before 2nd August 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will be contracted for final selection process.

N.B.: Swisscontact reserves the right to reject or cancel any application.