KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Cashew Skill Development Centre Consultant
Sector: Customs, Trade and Investment Climate
Reports to: Trade, Investment and Agri-food Innovation Lead
Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Period of Assignment: September 2026 - May 2027
Duration: up to 120 days
Employment type: National Consultant
Contractual arrangement: Eligible for individual national expert
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
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.
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
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.
1. Institutional Readiness and Centre Establishment Planning
Timeframe: September 2026
Key Activities:
- Assess DKT'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 Report
- Capacity Development Plan
- Operational Readiness Roadmap
2. Industry Engagement and Pilot Skills Programme Implementation
Timeframe: October 2026 - March 2027
Key Activities:
- Establish partnerships with cashew processors and industry stakeholders.
- Implement pilot training programmes using existing PIKT facilities and resources.
- Validate training approaches and industry demand.
Deliverables:
- Industry Partnership Framework and Action Plan
- Minimum Two Industry Partnership Agreements (MoUs)
- Pilot Training Implementation Plan
- Pilot Evaluation Report, including at least two pilot training programmes delivered
3. Industry-Responsive Training System Development
Timeframe: October 2026 - March 2027
Key Activities:
- Conduct skills needs assessment.
- Support development of competency-based curricula, training packages, trainer capability, and quality assurance systems aligned with industry requirements.
Deliverables:
- Industry Skills Needs Assessment Report
- Industry-Validated Curriculum Framework and Competency-Based Training Packages
- Trainer Development Plan and Tool Delivery
- Quality Assurance Improvement Plan
4. Sustainability and Operational Model Development
Timeframe: March - May 2027
Key Activities:
- Develop governance, management, financing, and operational arrangements to ensure the long-term sustainability and industry relevance of the Cashew Skills Centre.
Deliverables:
- Sustainability and Business Plan, including governance and 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 projects.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Trade, Investment, and Agri-food Innovation lead.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
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
How to apply: 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".
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
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.
Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.
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.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.