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.
1. 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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
March- May 2027 |
Roles and Responsibilities
Selection Criteria
Qualifications
Essential Criteria
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.
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”.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to the professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce at all levels, and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.
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