Senior Advisor for Skills Development (100%)

The Skills Development Team provides technical expertise and support for internal and external clients in advisory services, training, and research, assures the quality of implementation, fosters innovation, and engages in knowledge sharing in its fields of expertise. It engages in discussions and a regular exchange in internal and external networks, and we are passionate about contributing to thought leadership and the positioning of the organisation in the field of Skills Development. 

Our understanding of Skills Development includes the core topics of Initial Vocational Education and Training including the link to basic education, Labour Market Insertion, and Upskilling and Reskilling (Lifelong Learning). The team of currently five advisors provides thematic leadership on key areas in our field. We work in close contact with our practitioners and experts working on projects within the organisation in six regions, and we meet regularly for interesting thematic exchanges as part of our global core working groups. 

To complement our dynamic and ambitious team in Zurich, we are looking for an experienced, highly motivated, outgoing and client-oriented person who can cover the breadth and manage the diversity of Skills Development and Labour Market Insertion projects as a versatile team member in the role of a Senior Advisor for Skills Development, starting 1 March 2025 (or by agreement).

Responsibilities 

• Provide technical support, strategic guidance, and technical backstopping of project teams in the field of Skills Development for current and prospective internal and external clients.
• Contribute to the identification of trends and thematic areas where skills development products and solutions are needed, and support positioning Swisscontact’s thematic expertise within and outside the organisation.
• Lead and support business development
• Assume leadership for thematic area of “green skills and jobs“: (virtual) community of practice facilitation, provision of technical inputs and reviews, concept development, documentation of good practice, support to monitoring tools, etc.
• Contribute to the development of training and capacity building sessions/courses and deliver these to internal and external audiences.
• Mentor and support other team members (e.g. interns) when required