Occupational Standards, Qualifications and Curriculum Development Expert

Job Description

Title : Occupational Standards, Qualifications and Curriculum Development Expert

Services Designation Technical Assistant for project MNE/011 - Strengthening Vocational Training in North-East Montenegro

Location : Podgorica (with some in-country travel required)

Starting date: October 2011

Duration : 18 Months

Background :

Project MNE/011 is focused on strengthening vocational training in Montenegro, particularly North-East (NE) Montenegro. National and local government strategies for the development of agriculture and tourism should contribute to stemming the outward flow of the population from NE Montenegro, and encourage young people to return to the region. Therefore, the rationale for the project is to support the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) – primarily through the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Centre – in the development of national and regional strategies for VET, and ensure that they are harmonized with existing agriculture and tourism development strategies. In line with this, the project is designed to support the development of relevant occupational profiles, qualifications and curricula in agriculture (including organic agriculture) and tourism (including hospitality/catering), together with appropriate training materials. It purports to enhance the training environment and quality of teaching, increase the involvement of social partners in the development and delivery of training, and foster entrepreneurship in the agriculture and tourism sectors in NE Montenegro.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the elimination of long-term poverty in NE Montenegro, while the specific objective is to reinforce the VET system at national and regional levels to make it more efficient for the development of agriculture and tourism in NE Montenegro.

It is planned that Project MNE/011 will support the MoES and VET Centre to identify and define (a minimum of) five required occupational standards, and develop associated qualifications, curricula and related training materials. Following approval, project support will extend to the provision of appropriate training, and implementation of the qualifications, curricula and training materials in target schools in NE Montenegro during the 2012/2013 academic year.

Job Description / Duties:

• Lead and coordinate the support from Project MNE/011 to the MoES and VET Centre (and other relevant stakeholders) in the identification of occupational standards, and development of qualifications, curricula and associated training materials, as well as the provision of training in schools to facilitate implementation.
• Advise the MoES, VET Centre and other relevant stakeholders on best-practice approaches in line with European Union (EU) standards, and taking into account relevant developments in the education sector in Montenegro, particularly the introduction of the Montenegrin Qualifications Framework (MQF).
• Design/refine (in collaboration with staff from the relevant local organisations) appropriate methodologies for the identification of occupational standards, and development of qualifications, curricula and associated training materials in line with EU standards and relevant developments in the education sector in Montenegro, particularly the introduction of the MQF.
• Generate (in collaboration with staff from relevant local organisations) a minimum of five required occupational standards in agriculture and tourism, together with qualifications, curricula and associated training materials, in line with the agreed methodologies.

Duty 1: Formulate/refine methodologies and build the capacity of key staff for the identification and definition of occupational standards, and development of associated qualifications and curricula (using a modularised and credit-based approach), appropriate for Montenegro and aligned with European Union standards.

Duty 2: Build the capacity of key staff in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Centre as well as representatives from other key institutions (if appropriate) in the identification and definition of occupational standards, and development of associated qualifications and curricula.

Duty 3: Build the capacity of key staff in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Centre as well as representatives from other key institutions (if appropriate) in the development of training materials for the delivery of curricula.

Duty 4: Develop and coordinate a training programme for target schools to facilitate the implementation of new/revised qualifications, curricula and training materials.

Duty 5: Contribute to achievement of the objectives of Project MNE/011, in general.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in education and training, agriculture or tourism (or a related subject).
• Prior experience of five (5) years in the area of developing occupational standards, qualifications, curricula and training materials in line with best-practice EU models.
• Prior experience in the development/revision of qualifications and curricula using a credit-based and modularised approach, in line with a European Qualifications Framework (EQF) benchmarked National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
• Excellent theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to Vocational Education and Training (VET) development in the Balkan region and the European Union.
• Good theoretical knowledge of international best-practice in VET development.
• Fluency in English language. Fluency in Montenegrin or other similar language is a distinct advantage.
• Good planning and work organisation skills. Good analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.
• Quality focus, result orientation and sense of responsibility.
• Ability to cooperate and work as part of a team.
• Advisory capabilities and coaching skills.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, aural, written), adaptability and sense of initiative.

Preference will be given to candidates with Montenegrin (or similar) language skills, and experience of VET developments in the Balkan region.

How to apply?

Through our website : http://www.lux-development.lu/recrutement.lasso?lang=uk

Deadline : 9 September 2011