Program Background

Pacific Australia Skills is a significant Australian investment which stands to make a major contribution to supporting social and economic growth in the region through strengthening the skills and training sector across Timor-Leste and the Pacific. Pacific Australia Skills builds on the achievements of prior Australian Government support for skills and training in Timor-Leste.

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com
 

The Role
Tonga’s Labour Force Reports (2018 and 2023) highlight a significant mismatch between the supply of skilled workers and labour market demand, with a high proportion of youth not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET), alongside persistent skills shortages across key sectors. The maritime sector, which is critical for economic growth, connectivity, trade, and resilience, faces ongoing workforce challenges, including ageing skills, limited domestic training pathways, and the outward migration of qualified personnel. Employers report difficulties in recruiting certified seafarers, marine engineers, and other technical and compliance-related roles.

At the same time, strong global demand for maritime professionals presents valuable employment and labour mobility opportunities for Tonga, provided that local training and certification align with international standards. Strengthening the maritime skills ecosystem is therefore essential to support economic resilience, improve transport and trade systems, and create sustainable employment.

In alignment with the Tonga Labour Mobility and Supply Management Strategy (2023), the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training (MET), proposes to undertake a comprehensive Maritime Skills Sector Mapping. This initiative will be supported by Pacific Australia Skills to ensure evidence-based workforce planning and targeted investment in maritime education and training.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities will include: 

• Technical Assistance is to conduct but not limited to: 

  • Mapping the sector in Tonga to the existing TVET providers and the TVET skills they provide. 

  • Assessment of the industries in Tonga and strengthen industry engagement of the private sector business and the TVET providers in Tonga. 

  • TVET and Employment Pathway mapping under the existing policy and framework.

Specific Tasks:

• Prepare a work plan for the work to be carried out under this Technical Assistant assignment, including a proposed methodology with a detailed plan and timelines for completion of the work, and information on stakeholder consultations.  An Annex should be attached to the work plan listing the key stakeholders to get in touch with for the consultation meetings, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. 
• Prepare guiding questions and methodology for focus group discussions and consultations with relevant stakeholders in Tonga clearly identifying preferences from stakeholders. Draft a short report outlining the state-of-play, in the sector mapping in the country and the legislative framework and recommendations for policy makers and a draft annotated outline of the Sector Mapping that presents a potential structure and outline of contents (in bullet points).
• Organize a workshop to review and discuss the state-of-play and establish national priorities for the Sector Mapping.
• Establish a working group to develop a first draft of the Sector Mapping Report following the reviewed annotated outline, developed based on stakeholder consultations and building on deliverables submitted to date.
• Prepare a second draft of the Sector Mapping Report incorporating comments and suggestions obtained from national stakeholders through written feedback and a consultation workshop organized at country-level.
• Deliver presentations of the final report at a consultation / validation workshop organized by MTED and MET in coordination with the Pacific Australia Skills, as well as slides for these presentations.

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge

·       An advanced degree in the field of education or related area with demonstrated expertise on employment issues.

·       At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in technical vocational education and training, with a focus on work-based learning and in particular TVET.

·       Relevant international experience and knowledge of labor markets / TVET systems and maritime sectors in the Pacific would be an advantage.  Sound understanding of the economic, cultural, and social context in Tonga would be an asset.

·       Excellent drafting and report writing skills.  Ability to present information in readily understandable forms.

·       Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.  Ability to work on own initiative as well as member of a team.  Ability to plan and organize work.

·       Excellent command and proficient working ability in English.  Knowledge of Tongan is an advantage.

·       Experience in policy and programme monitoring and evaluation, including definition of performance indicators is an asset.

·       Experience in working the private sector, particularly the maritime sector in Tonga will be an added advantage.

·       Experience preparing similar policy documents will be an advantage.

Desirable Requirements:

·       Experience working on an aid-funded project, preferably Australian Government.

·       Experience working within an educational organisation would be an advantage.

·       DT Global strongly encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including first nations, diverse SOGIESC and people with disabilities.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: 

https://tinyurl.com/yudcnt4s

HOW TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply Now' button.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

  
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 11:59pm Tonga Time, Tuesday 14^th July 2026
  
Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applications will be reviewed on a 'rolling basis'. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

People with lived experience of the regions in which DT Global operates are strongly encouraged to apply.  DT Global welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including First Nations peoples, diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), and people with disabilities.

We take a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse and harm of adults and children; fraud, corruption and bribery; modern slavery; and any form of exploitation across our operations, partnerships, and supply chains. We uphold the highest standards of integrity and expect the same of those we work with.

Engagement with DT Global is subject to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All DT Global staff receive safety, compliance, safeguarding and integrity training, and we expect our personnel and partners to always act in alignment with our company values.