Position: Cashew Skill Development Centre Consultant (Branch of Cowater International Inc. - CAPRED)__Deadline:22-September

Location:  Phnom Penh

The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience. 

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

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	Key Activities	Deliverables	Timeframe
1. Institutional Readiness and Centre Establishment Planning	Assess PIKT's readiness to establish and operate the Cashew Skills Centre, identify institutional and operational gaps, and develop a roadmap for centre establishment.	Institutional Readiness Assessment Report including Capacity Development Plan and Operational Readiness Roadmap	September 2026
2. Industry Engagement and Pilot Skills Programme Implementation	Establish partnerships with cashew processors and industry stakeholders and implement pilot training programmes using existing PIKT facilities and resources to validate training approaches and industry demand.	Industry Partnership Framework and Action Plan Minimum two industry partnership agreements (MoUs) Pilot Training Implementation Plan and Pilot Evaluation Report including at least two pilot training programs delivered	October 2026- March 2027
3. Industry-Responsive Training System Development	Conduct skills need assessment and support development of competency-based curricula, training packages, trainer capability, and quality assurance systems aligned with industry requirements.	Industry Skills Needs Assessment Report including Industry-Validated Curriculum Framework and Competency-Based Training Packages Trainer Development Plan and ToT Delivery Quality Assurance Improvement Plan	October 2026- March 2027
4. Sustainability and Operational Model Development	Develop governance, management, financing, and operational arrangements to ensure long-term sustainability and industry relevance of the Cashew Skills Centre.	Sustainability and Business Plan including governance and operational model Final Assignment Report	March- May 2027

 

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. 

Key Requirements (skills, knowledge experience & qualification):

• 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.

• 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.

Please send CV and cover letter to
Email:      recruitment@capred.org
Contact:   099 223 998
Moreinfo:  https://capred.org/opportunities
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