Strategic Advisor – Targeted Skills Development

Focus of the Role

Job Introduction

For this role, we are looking to hire a Strategic Advisor with experience and expertise on government advisory, particularly on issues of employment policy, job creation and skills gap analysis and development.  The Strategic Advisor will lead and drive the implementation of policy instruments, strategies, and special projects on skills with the Government of Rwanda. The post holder will join a fast-growing team of TBI Rwanda and will work closely with the Delivery Manger and report to the Country Director.

The post holder will directly support two key institutions within the Government of Rwanda in targeted skills development, namely the Rwanda Development Board Chief Skills Office as well as the Office of the Hon. Minister of State within the Ministry of Education.

The position is full-time, with a minimum duration of 2 years and based in Kigali, Rwanda and starts as soon as possible on the identification of a suitable candidate.  Relocation assistance may be provided for the successful candidate if required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Support the preparation of the skills component of the opening of Rwanda’s biopharma industry

• Provide immediate support to the office of the Minister of State in charge of ICT and TVET at the Ministry of Education to prepare the skills component of the opening of Rwanda’s biopharma industry, including support towards the operationalisation of the African Biomanufacturing Institute and other strategic projects
• Work closely with TBI Advisor Manufacturing and Vaccine Manufacturing taskforce on the human capital workstream for upcoming manufacturing plant establishment
• Work with Universities and TVET providers in developing workforce pipeline (incl. assessment chains and related logistics)
• Develop regular skills snapshots to senior counterparts

1. Assess implementation status of National Skills Development and Employment Promotion Strategy (NSDEPS)​

• Work with counterparts in the RDB Chief Skills Office to prepare regular implementation update of NSDEPS
• Support mid-term evaluation of NSDEPS
• Work with RDB CSO and implementing stakeholders to fast-track implementation of agreed upon actions in the strategy

1. Support RDB CSO and Hon. MoS in charge of ICT and TVET in skills pipeline development​

• Support/Lead the development of a system within RDB for carrying out a National Skills Audit across national priority areas and sectors
• Develop in-house capability to run a periodic National Skills Audit
• Assess the existing system and propose areas to be strengthened in order to carry out labour market analytics, analyse skills needs, assess skills gaps and forecast future skills with regard to future prospects for employment in terms of economic sectors, occupations, qualification and skills
• Lead the analysis of various skills datasets (including from the councils) to be used for policy, curriculum, program designing, decision making and so forth
• Supporting RDB in providing skills advisory service for different line ministries, sectoral institutions, investors and the academia establishments
• Working towards bringing Rwanda into the skills map through listing of Rwandan talent on the ‘World Skills Organisations’ (WSO)

1. Supporting the Sector Skills Council in carrying out their function

• Establishing a Secretariat and instilling a system for bringing together and supporting the functions of the sector skills councils
• Supporting the operationalised Sector Skills Councils in carrying out their core functions – identifying needed skills

Person Specification

This is a role in a fast-paced government, working within complex policy areas that are highly scrutinised. Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• A BA or Master's degree in Education Management, Economics, Political Science or a related field
• Significant experience in project implementation in the areas of employment policy, job creation and skills development in Sub-Sahara Africa
• Broad and comprehensive experience in a related field such as policy development and/or in education, project design and management with multiple stakeholders across various sectors and have good skills to work closely with Skills Development sector partners
• Experience in advising senior stakeholders including government counterparts on issues of social policy, education, economic policy. Preferably in Sub-Sahara Africa
• Strong reporting, organisational and communications skills, ability to meet deadlines, flexibility, resourcefulness, patience, time management, facilitation skills, diligence and ready to work under pressure
• A proven ability to inspire, coach and develop others, including people from different backgrounds and cultures
• Strong understanding of the context of funding arrangements and models from development partners

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.