Ethical Apparel Africa Job Vacancy For Industrial Engineering & Middle Management Training Expert

We have a great opportunity for an experienced Trainer and Industrial Engineer with passion and desire to build local capacity and shape the path of the next frontier of apparel manufacturing in West Africa.

The Industrial Engineering & Middle Management Training Expert will be based in Accra, Ghana, hired by the Ethical Apparel Africa Association, a non profit focused on vocational training. The Expert will report on program deliverables to GIZ, working closely with other experts hired as part of the program both at GIZ and at the Ethical Apparel Africa Association. This person will supervise a junior training manager to support the middle management training program implementation. This person may also oversee other Training Experts hired by the EAA Association to conduct trainings at the Pattern Center of Excellence and in factories. Finally, the Training Expert will work closely with ATTC to ensure that they are transferring knowledge on how to run this training to local university lecturers.

The Trainer will have the following responsibilities:

Course curriculum development

• Conduct a detailed needs assessment through engaging program partners (DTRT, EAA, SME factories) to determine critical middle management areas where upskilling / new qualified talent is required

  • Note that there will be two profiles of participants: university graduates with some background in engineering but no textiles exposure; and middle managers from operational factories who are in need of additional training and upskilling

• Develop a modular curriculum for middle managers covering a range of key topics in different levels of depth including:

  • Industrial Engineering (work study, SMV)

  • Quality Assurance / Quality Control

  • Line supervision

  • High level awareness of CAD/CAM systems, proper use of markers, and implications in production

  • Basic understanding of fabric types

  • Basic understanding of compliance standards

  • Train the Trainer for operator training

  • Cutting room techniques

  • Fabric testing

  • Trims and sundries control

  • Raw Materials management

  • HR procedures

• Plan course implementation including course times, length of courses, module timing, balance of theoretical versus in-factory practical training, etc.

• Develop trainee entry base knowledge and exit performance assessment tools

• Test the training curriculum with GIZ partners (DTRT, EAA and factories) and improve curriculum and planning based on feedback

 Training set-up

• Recruit students through two channels:

  • Engage with factories to recruit existing middle managers into the program for upskilling

  • Cultivate interest from local universities (Radford, Blue Crest, KNUST) by presenting the program design and benefits for their graduating students in engineering and other related disciplines

• Lead needs assessments to ensure that the program plan matches demand in the market for hiring middle managers

• Lead processes to administer entry assessments and set balanced ‘class’ of middle managers to train as a cohort

?Training implementation

• Lead middle manager training sessions, coordinating input from other trainers and experts as relevant

• Liaise with factories to set in-factory practical training sessions to complement classroom learning

• Ensure that ATTC and any other local university lecturers are included and coached on program content and training approach and gradually increase their ability to independently administer the course

• Administer end-of-training assessments and certifications

• Monitor attendance and highlight any issues concerning students

• Manage and supervise other trainers on the team

• Conduct weekly student assessments

• Liaise with factories to ensure graduating students are adding significant increased value due to impact of the training

 Reporting

• Report on milestones and deliverables directly to GIZ

• Share all learnings around curriculum development and implementation including final materials with ATTC and with GIZ

?Qualifications & Attributes

• Proven experience as an industrial engineer (minimum 5 years’ experience)

• Experience in leadership roles on the production floor of factories

• Proven experience developing curriculum and conducting training and passion for transferring skills locally and developing capacity in people

• Excellent leadership and training skills; ability to coach teams and develop individuals

• Exceptional cross cultural communication and presentation skills

• Deep understanding of customer markets and experience of working with Western brands from the USA and/or Europe

• Previous working/living experience in a developing country, preferably in Africa

• Fluency in English

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

Benefits

• Salary level dependent on candidate experience and profile

• Health and repatriation insurance

• 30 days of annual leave in addition to national holidays in Ghana

• Accommodation

• Annual round trip flight

• Opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative center developing a pipeline of talent in the next frontier of apparel manufacturing