Occupational Standard and Training Package Development
Specialist (TVET)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes
responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to
change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This
assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
Occupational Standards Specialist
Host Organisation
Federal Technical and Vocational Training Agency (Ministry of Education)
Website of Host Organisation
This website/s may be helpful:
www.moe.gov.et
www.aatvetagency.gov.et/index.php
www.theigc.org/publications/working-paper/technical-and-vocationaleducation-and-training-ethiopia
http://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/upload/Ethiopia/Ethiopia_National_TVET
_Strategy.pdf
Duration of Assignment
16 months
Start Date
01 Aug 2015
Pre-departure Briefing Date
03 Jun 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10532633
Host Organisation Overview
The Federal Technical and Vocational Training Agency is an agency under the Ministry of Education
with approximately 100 staff. The Agency started operation in 2010 – prior to that, technical and
vocational training came under a sub-sector of the Ministry of Education. The main activities of the
Agency are:
-
Occupational standard development
Assessment and certification
Industry extension service
Technology transfer
Outcome-based training (institutional capacity development, curriculum development and
trainers’ development)
Australian Volunteers International
Page 1 of 5
Assignment Overview
This position requires an experienced TVET professional who can harmonise the occupational
standards currently in use so that they are bench-marked to Australian standards. Ethiopia and the
Ministry of Education are committed to TVET as tool for poverty reduction and youth employment and
this volunteer role will play a key role in helping the Agency come closer to meetings its goals.
Assignment Objectives
To provide support to the Agency, so that over time, all the occupational standards are included in a set
of training regulations which will be used to support the curriculum and the assessment methods used.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, Volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:

Work with colleagues at the Agency to develop occupational standards and determine and assist
implementation of best practice assessment methods
Assignment Information
Line Manager
Assessment and Development Director
Staff supervision
The volunteer will work closely with other professionals working in the occupational standard
development and assessment teams.
Hours & Days of employment
From 8:30 am to 5:30pm, 1 hour lunch, Monday to Friday.
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5 day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Leave entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, Volunteers will accrue 1 week of leave for each 3 months of work.
Other Conditions
Out of hours work may be required – but only rarely
Language skill and level required
Languages spoken in the workplace: English and Amharic. The manager and staff speak English.
Amharic is used outside of work and this is the language that the volunteer will receive instruction in
during the in-country orientation program.
The volunteer will need to display a willingness to learn Amharic but will not be required to speak
technical language in Amharic.
Australian Volunteers International
Page 2 of 5
Language support
The volunteer will receive 24 hours of language training which will begin during the in-country
orientation program. Funds for further language instruction are available after consultation with the
Country Manager.
Living as a Volunteer
This assignment is based in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is the second-most populous
country in Africa, with over 80 million people, and is the tenth-largest by area. While there have been
tensions in the wider region, politically the country is reasonably stable.
Ethiopia is an ethnically diverse (and hence multilingual) country and religion plays an important part in
most people’s lives. Acceptable dress is more conservative or modest than is usual in Australia,
particularly in rural areas.
For personal travel, the volunteer will use public buses (town/city commuters and long-haul) and
registered taxis. It may be appropriate or possible to hire a car or car pool. It is costly buying vehicles
in Ethiopia as the government charges a 150% importation tax on second-hand cars. A second-hand,
10-year-old sedan will cost approximately AUD $15,000 from local dealers.
Telecommunication (both fixed line and mobile) is provided by state-owned Ethio Telecom (see web
address below). The mobile network is available throughout the country; however in rural areas access
to the network can be poor. International calls start at AUD $1 per minute. Internet cafes start at AUD
$0.50 per hour. Ethionet offers daily, weekly and monthly internet bundles. Rates differ according to the
plan. There is desktop and laptop computer available at the work place. Broadband internet is available
as are telephone landline and mobile coverage.
For more information about Ethiopia and Addis Ababa (in no particular order) see these:
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/10-surprising-facts-ethiopia/
http://wikitravel.org/en/Ethiopia
http://ouryuppielife.blogspot.com/
http://wikitravel.org/en/Addis_Ababa
http://www.ethionet.et/ (information about telecommunications in the country)
http://addisblog.typepad.com/luoma_addis_blog/2007/05/index.html
Other Requirements
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
Australian Volunteers International
Page 3 of 5
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
Please click here for more details about preparing your application.
Please click here to learn more about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer.
Personal Circumstances Constraints
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.
•
Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the AVID program may face
issues in applying for and being issued with a visa
•
Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany
applicants as part of the AVID program may face issues in applying for and being issued with a
visa
•
Applicants with criminal offences
First–Aid Competency
Apply First Aid Certificate (HLTFA 311A) or equivalent course dated within 3 years of the start date of
the assignment
Qualifications

Relevant tertiary, professional or technical qualifications and/or certification
Essential Skills & Experience

Substantial experience in developing competency standards, assessments and training packages
across a variety of industries:
 Occupational standard, assessment and curriculum development specialist with substantial
experience
 Ability to identify essential competencies by the industry
 Ability to develop curriculum
 Skill in conducting an assessment
 Skill to articulate the linkage of a standard, assessment and curriculum development
 Skill in the outcome based training system

Previous experience in working alongside and building the skills of others through formal
and/or informal training and coaching

Previous experience in consulting with stakeholders and facilitating the work of others to
achieve an agreed outcome

Commitment to team work, coaching, and mentoring others

Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings

Patience, tolerance and flexibility

A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment

Ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living
Desirable Skills & Experience
•
Demonstrated success in working cross culturally in a large educational institution
Australian Volunteers International
Page 4 of 5
Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 1200.00 per month
AUD 500.00 per month
NB: If accommodation is provided by the Host Organisation or the
program, this allowance will be reduced to zero.
Housing
AVI and the host organisation will help the volunteer to find suitable accommodation during the in
country orientation period. Most rental housing in Addis Ababa comes unfurnished. The volunteer will
need to use their settling in allowance for purchasing furniture and white goods.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
In-country Orientation on arrival
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
Visa expenses
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
Return airfare to country of assignment
Psychological and medical advice and support services
Re-entry Support services
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
How to Apply
To apply for this position please visit www.australianvolunteers.com.
Select the assignment you are interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International
Development program, an Australian Government initiative.
www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/
Australian Volunteers International
Page 5 of 5