Principal / Center Manager - Newmont Akyem Development Foundation

Background: Newmont Akyem Development Foundation (NAkDeF) is a company, limited by guarantee, set up by Newmont and Akyem mine communities to establish and manage sustainable social investment projects and activities together with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). GIZ is a provider of international cooperation services for sustainable development and education dedicated to building a future worth living around the world. NAKDeF together with GIZ are promoting the establishment of Akyem Vocational and Technical Institute (AVTI). The AVTI is under the NAkDeF/GIZ partnership programme called Akyem Skills, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise

Development (A-SEED). The main objective of AVTI is to equip the youth with employable skills for their livelihoods. The Institute aims at improving the employable skills of the youth through Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

Work Location: Akyem Amanfrom

Reports to: AVTI Board of Governors

Dimensions: Planning, organising and managing all resources and activities at the Institute. Ensuring healthy progress of the Institute’s Units and maintaining a strong linkage with NAkDeF/GIZ/NVTI/COTVET and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. District Assembly, Traditional Authority).

Purpose: The Principal will primarily be tasked with the overall administration of the Institute in accordance with the prescriptions of the national TVET bodies like COTVET and NVTI to ensure that the institute grows to become a preferred choice when it comes to vocational education and training. The principal will ensure continuous review of the curricula in line with national standards and recommend new courses based on scientific research. Additionally, the Principal will carry out enrolment drive activities and sustain the interest of the trainees. He/She must ensure that at any time the Institute maintains an optimum number of trainees. Also, the principal must ensure that both staff and trainees obtain 100% industrial experiences. The principal will also make the conscious effort to link trainees to their respective industries leading to employment acquisitions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

•  Developing and implementing strategies in the management of the Institute to conform to the vision and mission of the Institute
•  Management of resources of the Institute (human, material and financial)
•  Setting of preferred targets and appraising all staff at the Institute
•  Submission of reports promptly to the Board of Governors as and when required
•  Carrying out publicity activities to promote Akyem Vocational Training Institute in the catchment area and beyond
•  Canvasing for and maintaining optimum number of trainees in existing courses
•  Recommending and introducing new courses based on “scientific study” (when the need arises)
•  Preparing and running a budget for the Institute and works towards its sustainability
•  Submission of monthly financial returns including IGF to the Board of Governors
•  Establishing database on On-The-Job Training (OJT) placement and follow-up on trainees/graduates on internships
•  Organizing tracer study annually to assess the influence of the Institute’s training on the livelihoods of the graduates in terms of employment status, income and health
•   Developing and maintaining relationship with local authorities and other key stakeholders
•   Ensuring that all the workshops of the Institute are sufficiently equipped with adequate machinery and tools for effective training and learning as well as for Production/Construction Units operations for IGF purposes
•   Managing the finances of the Institute
•   Ensuring the maintenance of up-to-date and accurate records of operations of the Institute
•   Monitoring and supervising Heads of Departments of the institute
•   Ensuring proper maintenance of the Institute’s building, equipment, tools and vehicles
•   Planning, organising and running an effective and efficient Production Units to support the Institute’s IGF
•   Ensuring that staff are periodically assigned/attached to relevant industries to deepen their experience
•   Maintaining a database of the Institute’s Staff Development (industrial attachment)
•   Serving as a member / secretary of the Institute Management Committee
•   Performing any other duties assigned from time to time by the Board of Governors

Qualifications:  

•  MEd or MA/MSc with Diploma in Education, Development Work, Economics, Project Management, Development Planning, Business Administration, Economics, Business Management, and any other related course

Professional Experience:         

• Must have at least 7 years of professional working experience in Planning, TVET and Skills Development,
• Must be able to partner with the private sector, project and financial managers, and community mobilization for action.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills with ability to work in a smaller community and semi urban environment
• Must have experience in building networks among different partners and organizations
• Must be a motivated team player with an ability to do independent work, organise systematic, proactive, and detail- goal-oriented work approach
• Must be able to grasp complex issues

Further Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge in ICT (related software, phone, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)

• Excellent knowledge in the TVET sector
• Fluency in English language as well as any Akan language