Team Leader – “Matching Skills to Jobs (MSJ) in Kosovo” (100 %) At Caritas Switzerland

Caritas Switzerland is a leading relief organisation in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian aid. Our primary goal is poverty reduction. The International Cooperation (IC) programmes are spread across 20 countries and focus on income generation, climate change and migration. Caritas Switzerland is looking for an experienced Team Leader (100%) to manage an upcoming “Matching Skills to Jobs (MSJ)” project based in Pristina, Kosovo. The goal of the project is to close prominent skills gaps by improving cooperation between the private sector and the VET (Vocational Education Training) providers in an institutionlised form. The recruitment is subject to a tender released by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for a 9 months Inception Phase: 01.01.2024 to 30.09.2024, followed by a Main Phase 1: 01.10.2024 until 30.09.2029. Employment is conditioned on the awarding of the tendered mandate by the contracting authority (SDC) to Caritas Switzerland.

Your duties

The Team Leader will hold main responsibility for managing the implementation of the Inception and Main Phase I, subject to the relevant credit proposal approval by the SDC. This particularly includes the following tasks:

During the Inception Phase:

Development of the Project Document in close cooperation and coordination with the project team in Kosovo, Caritas Switzerland Headoffice, partner(s), stakeholders and SDC. It further includes the realisation of necessary studies and analyses as well as exchange and coordination with relevant stakeholders, partner(s) and existing project(s) for the conceptualisation and development of a comprehensive project document.

During Main Phase 1:

Responsible for the coordination and implementation of the project according to required CACH and SDC quality standards and procedures;
Ensure result-oriented project management, including supervision and overseeing financial and administrative management, implementation, coordination, communication and reporting (skilfully applying project cycle management);
Monitoring the implementation of the project: e.g. organising and facilitating internal meetings and workshops, develop and implement quarterly project work plans with clearly defined milestones in line with planned activities and resources; if necessary also in close collaboration with other partners
Ensure the technical management, administrative and financial follow-up of the project according to CACH and SDC standards and procedures
Supervision and coordination of the project team to ensure the implementation of planned activities
Identify project needs and adaptations in relation to project management, planning as well as implementation and monitoring of activities
Close collaboration and ensuring effective communication with consortium partner(s) and other local / international stakeholders in country as well as actively promoting synergies and harmonise activities with other SDC projects and relevant projects of other donors in country;
Ensure mainstreaming of gender and social inclusion in all areas of inter-vention of the project, and ensure adequate monitoring and reporting on these transversal themes;

Our requirements

University degree (Master, PhD or equivalent) in one/several of the following areas: Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Social Science with specialisation in Vocational Education Training (VET) or any other relevant field.
At least 7 years of international work experience relevant for the project
Proven managerial and social competencies in guiding as well as coordinating complex VET projects including multi-stakeholder processes comparable in size and scope
Confirmed knowledge in the facilitation of reform processes, policy dialogue, capacity building and advocacy
Strong managerial skills, including result-oriented management, strategic planning, human resources and financial management skills; strong experience in steering and mentoring, capacity to anticipate issues and identify forward-looking solutions;
Proven experience in applying adaptive management, gender mainstreaming, governance and social inclusion
Excellent intercultural, interpersonal (autonomous and team-oriented) and communication skills including reporting, presentation and negotiation skills
Excellent analytical, strategic and coordination competencies
Confirmed skills in conflict sensitive project management is an advantage
Proven work experience in the Western Balkan, preferably in Kosovo will be considered an asset;
The proposed Team Leader should be a well-respected individual with no political or other affiliations that could adversely affect the reputation of the project.
Excellent language skills in English; language skills in Albanian / Serbian is an asset.