Senior Technical Adviser

Join Our Dynamic Team at Colleges and Institutes Canada

Are you ready to make a difference in the world of education? At Colleges and Institutes Canada, we're on the lookout for passionate, innovative, and driven individuals to join our team. If you're eager to contribute to a vibrant community and work to strengthen Canada's publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics, we want to hear from you

Why Choose Us?

• Impactful Work: Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to advocacy for colleges and institutes across Canada.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a diverse team of professionals who are as committed to excellence as you are.
• Innovative Culture: Embrace a culture that values creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions.
• Salary: Obtain a highly competitive compensation

Ready to Take the Next Step? Don't miss out on the chance to be part of something extraordinary

We are looking for a Senior Technical Advisor to be based in South Africa.

The Senior Technical Advisor (STA) will be based in Pretoria, South Africa, as the in-country lead for the South Africa Skills Training Enhancement Program (SASTEP) program funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The STA will engage with key stakeholders across government, educational institutions, industry, and donors, supporting both South African and Canadian partners in implementing the program. They will ensure the overall cohesion, coordination, and quality of contributions from Canadian partners, fostering effective collaboration and coordination. Additionally, the STA will provide technical and policy advice to stakeholders as needed, manage the office in Pretoria, supervise local staff, and perform effectively at both policy and operational levels.

SASTEP is a program that partners the 15 publicly funded colleges in the provinces of Limpopo and Eastern Cape, South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), and nine member colleges from across Canada. The program responds to needs from DHET and South African TVET colleges to ensure that their students are equipped with the skills and competencies they need to contribute to the economic and social development of their communities through employment or entrepreneurship. The program will support capacity building in four main areas: the effective use of educational technology; gender equality and greater inclusion—especially of students with disabilities; improvements to career guidance and work readiness course modules; and strengthening partnerships with employers.

SOME OF THE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDES:

• Program Leadership & Governance – Provide overall leadership for SASTEP, ensure effective governance structures, and align implementation with Ministry of Education/Department of Higher Education and Training Systems (DHET) priorities.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Represent CICan in South Africa with government, industry, donors, and institutional partners; build and strengthen partnerships between Canadian and South African stakeholders.
• Team & Office Management – Recruit, lead, and manage local staff and consultants; oversee CICan's office operations in Pretoria in compliance with local laws.
• Financial & Reporting Oversight – Collaborate with Ottawa colleagues to prepare annual work plans, budgets, and reports; ensure sound financial management and accountability.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Strategic Improvement – Lead program monitoring, evaluation, and risk management; integrate cross‑cutting themes (gender, environment, governance) and intervene strategically to enhance project outcomes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• Post-secondary diploma in International Relations, Education, Political Science, International Development or other relevant fields, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification in project management PMP (an asset).

MIMINIMUM OF 10 YEARS OFEXPERIENCE IN:

• Leading or managing complex, donor-funded international programs in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), workforce development/ skills training or youth employment sector.
• Engaging high-level government officials and maintaining effective relationships with government agencies.
• Working in and/or with the Canadian college/institute system and network is highly desirable.
• Working with qualification frameworks, curriculum development in higher education, teacher training, TVET leadership delivery, educational technology, and online/ blended learning.
• Partnerships with industry and TVET at a systems level to build effective training solutions to meet industry needs.
• Budget and financial monitoring and the production of financial reports.
• Mobilizing and convening diverse stakeholders from government, educational institutions and the private sector.
• Results-based management, ideally with internationally funded programs.
• MS Excel to create budgets, analyze and manage data, visualization and reports, using advanced tools and features.
• Managing office operations, supervising staff, and ensuring effective administrative functions, ideally in an international context.
• Using Power BI for data visualization and reporting (an asset).

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Advanced and practical Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) frameworks for international donor-funded programs; quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, using data for program management.
• Gender equality concepts and practices; applying gender equality concepts in an international context.
• Applied Research, particularly in the Canadian college/ institute context.
• Advanced budgeting, financial monitoring, resource allocation and the production of financial reports.
• Advanced writing, reporting and presentation skills in English.
• Political systems, regulations and administrative practices that can operate in international environments.
• Human resources practices, including recruitment, training and performance management.
• Leadership and problem-solving methodologies in cross-cultural settings.
• Microsoft Office Suite and remote collaboration tools.
• Advanced Excel to manage budgets (able to use formulas and create pivot tables)
• Power BI (an asset).

Compensation: $109,435 $ – $127,090 per year (If a local candidate is selected, local salary range will be applied)

Status: This is a term position with possibility of renewal. The position is expected to start in March/ April 2026 and end in December 2027.

Location: Pretoria, South Africa (the successful candidate will need to relocate to this location with relocation support to be provided).

Language: English Essential

Open to: CICan employees and the public in Canada, South Africa and elsewhere. CICan will typically be able to obtain a work permit for the successful candidate.

BENEFITS: This position will be entitled to an extensive range of benefits

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé in a PDF format before January 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., EST.

CICan is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We recognize that diverse teams generate unique solutions, ideas, and perspectives. Therefore, we welcome and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) individuals, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at Colleges and Institutes Canada x 5827 if you require alternative arrangements to submit your application. CICan provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request. If contacted to proceed with the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

Colleges and Institutes Canada does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants. However, please be aware that some third-party tools we utilize in our recruiting and selection process may incorporate AI technology.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected to continue in the selection process will be contacted.

CICan's offices in Ottawa are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.