TRAINING PROJECT MANAGER

Position based in Ghana (West Africa)

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Programme and organization descriptions

 

The GIZ public-private-partnership programme (develoPPP) was established by the German government (BMZ) as a way to support and foster the involvement of the private sector in developing countries and emerging economies. GIZ has launched a public-private partnership programme with a consortium of private firms -- sourcing company Ethical Apparel Africa, digital pattern company Gerber, interlining supplier Freudenberg and needle supplier Groz Beckert -- focused on the emerging apparel industry in West Africa. The primary objective of the programme is to strengthen up to 15 small and medium-sized clothing manufacturers for the export market in order to create qualified and socially responsible employment. ​

 

This programme focuses on classroom-based and in-factory Technical Vocational Training to build a pipeline of skilled local talent for the growing industry that will address a key barrier to competitiveness and accelerate industry growth and job creation in apparel factories in West Africa. Classroom based training in pattern development and mechanics will be delivered at local university Accra Technical Training Center (ATTC).  In addition in-factory training will also upskill existing managers and technicians currently working in factories in Ghana and Benin in areas such as industrial engineering, production supervision, quality and lean manufacturing.  

 

The Ethical Apparel Africa Association (EAAA) is the non profit, capacity building arm of Sourcing Company Ethical Apparel Africa. EAAA will play a leading role in training design and curriculum development plus training delivery through a team of international experts. The project will run until June 2022 through GIZ and then will be directly managed by ATTC.

 

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Position overview

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We have a great opportunity for an experienced and dynamic Project Manager to join our team and oversee the Training programme and international trainers. This is the perfect role for someone willing to broaden and challenge their expertise by contributing to the development of the apparel industry in West Africa and shaping the path of the next frontier.

 

Duties and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:

 

Project Management

• Draft the operational plan together with the GIZ Project Co-ordinator (to be approved by the Steering Committee) and to prioritise relevant project activities;

• Coordinate all the training activities in the project (as defined in operational plan) and prepare regular updates on project progress for the Steering Committee;

• Facilitate communication between the project partners on the ground;

• Prepare the budget forecast and monitor budget expenditure in close consultation with GIZ and EAAA for the training and service provision areas.

• Develop draft PR material to communicate the project benefits and share with GIZ for wider publicity purposes.

• Work with ATTC to deliver showcase events for potential students and factories to demonstrate potential careers that can follow course participation

• Work with the participating factories to create a work experience programme for independent students to see how their skills learnt can be used in industry

• Complete monthly reports on progress for the steering committee in conjunction with the GIZ Project Co-ordinator

• Assess factories against agreed criteria for their technical capability/potential and agree with GIZ level of participation in the programme depending on assessment results

 

Technical and Vocational Training

• Develop the courses already started and design new courses (content, duration, target group, learning objectives, pre and post course assessment) through piloting at ATTC and in the factories.

• Lead and develop the team of expert trainers in Patterns, mechanics and in factory vocational training

• Support the trainers to define and communicate the course contents in line with ATTC formats

• Integrate elements of Adult learning techniques into the teaching formats (conduct ToT with instructors at ATTC and other trainers);

• Ensure trainers are competent and assessed on vocational teaching competencies;

• Work with the factories and ATTC to create a culture that promotes learning, including giving and receiving feedback

• Determine and review performance of trainers;

• Evaluate exam results and performance assessments and work with the trainers on action plans for improvement;

• Complete 3 monthly review sessions with each factory to get feedback on training and to upsell potential other courses to the owners.

• Promote intercultural competences between trainers

• Ensure all training logs, attendance rotas and reporting are consistent and on time

• Work with the Project private partners to integrate their training and visits into the course structures 

 

Organisational Development (set-up of training centre)

• Work with GIZ to ensure the training centre is full equipped with the correct machinery and consumables to run the programmes effectively

• Work with the GIZ project co-ordinator to ensure the training courses can be integrated longer term into the ATTC curriculum.

• Ensure that ATTC lecturers are identified and included on program content and training approach and gradually increase their ability to independently administer the course at the end of the program

• Coordinate training workshops with the Association of Ghanaian Apparel Manufacturers (AGAM) and other private and public networks in the country;

• Explore the potential for national accreditation of modular courses in industrial apparel manufacturing;

• Support the implementation of sensitization and networking events with AGAM and other stakeholders in the sector;

• Support ATTC in conducting open-door events for lecturers and students from private garment schools.

 

Pattern and Mechanic Service Centre

• Define range of services and pricing system for Pattern and Mechanics service centre.

• Market the centre to factories

• Agree operating procedures and service level metrics and report against them 

• Work with GIZ to manage the financial income from the centre with ATTC

 

Qualifications & Attributes

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• At least 10 years working experience within the textile and apparel industry in a factory setting

• At least 2 years experience developing curriculum and conducting training, ideally with the experience in the design and implementation of trainings for professionals and/or students; development of e-learning/blended learning is an advantage

• Working experience in developing, managing and motivating a team

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft office especially Excel

• Ability to work in a fast paced environment with flexibility to adapt to changing needs and an entrepreneurial attitude

• Exceptional cross cultural communication and presentation skills

• Passion for transferring skills locally and developing capacity in people

• Passion for working in a company with a social mission and building local capacity

• Able to demonstrate experience of working independently, autonomously and reliably

• Evidence of the following characteristics: humble, self-aware, resilient, adaptable, poised, proactive, persistent, resourceful, able to work under pressure and respect deadlines, strong at building relationships and resolving problems, an active listener, a team player who is fun to work with, and full of integrity

• Fluency in English

 

How to apply 

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• Kindly send a resume ​and a separate and specific cover letter for this position ​to talent@ethicalapparelafrica.com, using the reference “GIZ PM”​ as the subject of your email.

• Only complete applications with accurate references will be considered and only the most qualified candidates will be shortlisted for interview.

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GIZ Ghana and EAAA are an equal opportunity employer, both men and women are encouraged to apply.