Key Information
Position: Cashew Skill Development Centre Consultant
Reports to: Trade, Investment and Agri-food Innovation Lead
Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Period of Assignment: September 2026 to May 2027
Duration: up to 120 days
Employment type: National Consultant
Contractual arrangement: Eligible for individual national expert
Program Background
The CAPRED Facility is Australia's flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia. The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country's economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE).
CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support. GEDSI and climate are central to all CAPRED's work.
The cashew sector has been identified as a priority industry due to Cambodia's significant production of raw cashew nuts and the Government's ambition to expand domestic processing capacity. However, the sector continues to face a shortage of skilled workers, supervisors, technicians, and trainers capable of supporting modern processing operations. Skills gaps have emerged as a key constraint to industry growth and investment.
Recognising this skills gap, CAPRED will support the Polytechnic Institute of Kampong Thom (PIKT) and relevant key stakeholders to strengthen its institutional readiness, industry engagement, training systems and sustainability mechanisms. This support will begin with an initial pilot phase leveraging PIKT's existing facilities, trainers, and industry partnerships to test and refine industry-responsive training models prior to the establishment of the dedicated centre, in close collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and an Australian TVET institute.
Position Summary
CAPRED is seeking to recruit a proactive, highly qualified and experienced individual for the position of Cashew Skill Development Centre Consultant. The ideal candidate must have experience in working in a team environment and engaging with the RGC and the private sector. Key duties include facilitating with RGC, especially Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) and the Polytechnic Institute of Kampong Thom (PIKT), ADB to enhance skill development in the cashew sector. The role will also work closely with the private sector, especially cashew processors to identify skill gaps and suitable programs to upgrade and prepare target and demand-driven skill development.
The role will be based in Cambodia (Phnom Penh and possible travels to the provinces). This is a short-term position with a possible extension. The Cashew Skill Development Centre Consultant will report to the Trade, Investment and Agri-food Innovation Lead.
Scope of Work
The Consultant will provide technical advisory, coordination, facilitation, and capacity development support to PIKT, CAPRED and key stakeholders through four interrelated workstreams. The Consultant will work closely with CAPRED team alongside with key stakeholders, MLVT, PIKT, ADB, cashew processors, industry associations, and Australian TVET institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.
Workstream 1: Institutional Readiness and Centre Establishment Planning
Timeframe: September 2026
Key Activities
- Assess PIKT's readiness to establish and operate the Cashew Skills Centre.
- Identify institutional and operational gaps.
- Develop a roadmap for centre establishment.
Deliverables
- Institutional Readiness Assessment, including:
- Capacity Development Plan
- Operational Readiness Roadmap
Workstream 2: Industry Engagement and Pilot Skills Programme Implementation
Timeframe: October 2026 - March 2027
Key Activities
- Establish partnerships with cashew processors and other industry stakeholders.
- Design and deliver pilot training programmes.
- Use existing PIKT facilities and resources to test training approaches and validate industry demand.
Deliverables
- Industry Partnership Framework and Action Plan.
- At least two industry partnership agreements (MoUs).
- Pilot Training Implementation Plan.
- Pilot Evaluation Report covering a minimum of two pilot training programmes.
Workstream 3: Industry-Responsive Training System Development
Timeframe: October 2026 - March 2027
Key Activities
- Conduct an industry skills needs assessment.
- Develop competency-based curriculum and training packages.
- Strengthen trainer capability.
- Establish quality assurance systems aligned with industry requirements.
Deliverables
- Industry Skills Needs Assessment Report, including:
- Industry-Validated Curriculum Framework
- Competency-Based Training Packages
- Trainer Development Plan.
- Quality Assurance Improvement Plan.
Workstream 4: Sustainability and Operational Model Development
Timeframe: March - May 2027
Key Activities
- Develop governance, management, financing, and operational arrangements.
- Establish a sustainable and industry-relevant operating model for the Cashew Skills Centre.
Deliverables
- Sustainability and Business Plan, including:
- Governance arrangements
- Operational model
- Final Assignment Report.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Design and lead interventions to support the establishment of a demand-driven and sustainable cashew skills development centre.
- Support the development and pilot of industry-driven training programs aligned with cashew labour market demand and strengthen trainer capability and institutional quality assurance systems.
- Work closely with Polytechnic Institute of Kampong Thom, Training and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) under the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT), Asia Development Bank (ADB), Australian institute and industry to design curriculum to support upgrading skill and preparing skills for new investors in cashew industry.
- Facilitate different stakeholder engagement to ensure synergies.
- Explore opportunities to integrate GEDSI and climate resilience into investment works of trade, investment, agri-food innovation
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Trade, Investment, and Agri-food Innovation lead.
Selection Criteria
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in TVET, Economics, Education, Human Resource Development, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Industrial Development, Business Administration, or a related field. A master's degree is desirable.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in TVET, workforce development, skills systems strengthening, agribusiness, agro-processing, or related sectors.
- Demonstrated experiences in supporting TVET institutional development, centre establishment, or workforce development initiatives.
- Experience in agro-processing, food processing, agricultural value chains, or manufacturing sectors is highly desirable. Knowledge and experience in the cashew sector are an advantage.
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing industry-responsive training models.
- Experience developing competency-based curricula, occupational standards, training packages, or skills development programs.
- Proven experience facilitating partnerships between government, industry, training institutions, and development partners.
- Demonstrate Excellent communication skill with both written and spoken Khmer and English.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate GEDSI and climate resilience considerations into program design and implementation.
Application Process
Please send your cover letter, CV, with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees with your daily rate expectation to recruitment@capred.org mentioning the position you apply for in the subject line "Cashew Skill Development Centre Consultant".
Closing Date: We are seeking the most qualified candidate and therefore do not have a formal application deadline. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis, starting one to two weeks after this announcement is posted.
Women are highly encouraged to apply.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
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