Specialist - Program Design

The Specialist - Program Design at Punjab Skills Development Fund plays a critical role in shaping and implementing workforce development programs aligned with industry needs and national qualification standards. With a strong focus on program design and execution, this position requires expertise in market demand analysis, curriculum development, and program management specific to public or development sector environments. The specialist drives industry mobilization efforts and builds strategic partnerships to ensure programs meet NVQF, TEVTA, or PBTE standards, enhancing the relevance and impact of skills development initiatives across various sectors. The specialist supports the planning, coordination, and optimization of international placement programs, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and thorough implementation of program policies and guidelines. This role involves detailed research, data analysis using tools like Power BI and STATA, and rigorous program reporting to foster process improvements and successful delivery. Although not managing a team, the specialist collaborates closely with multiple stakeholders, providing implementation support and facilitating awareness campaigns to maximize program reach and effectiveness.
Responsibilities

The primary job responsibilities for this role will be to:

Industry Mobilisation & Onboarding:
•  Lead industry mobilisation by engaging chambers of commerce, industry associations, TDAP sector councils and individual employers across Punjab’s priority clusters, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Multan.
•  Identify and approach existing, active industries with room to hire trained workers, and secure their participation     as host industries and training partners.
•   Manage the industry onboarding process end to end: outreach, information sessions, support in preparing                  training proposals, documentation, due diligence and signing of MoUs with employment commitments.
•   Assess industry readiness for on-site training and OJT, including training space, equipment, supervisors and              hiring capacity, in coordination with the procurement and operations teams.
•   Build and maintain an industry partner pipeline and database covering trades, seat estimates, hiring capacity,           co-investment, contacts and onboarding status.
•   Act as the main point of contact for industry partners during implementation, resolving issues related to training       delivery, OJT, placement and retention.
 

Research & Market Demand Analysis:

• Conduct research and market-demand analysis using desk research, labour market and export data (e.g. Labour Force Survey, PBS, TDAP, trade maps) and employer surveys, to identify high-demand trades and skill gaps.
• Lead the Training Needs Assessment and value-chain mapping of priority sectors; estimate trade-wise, sector-wise and district-wise demand for skilled labour.
• Compare industry demand with PSDF’s existing trade portfolio and recommend the final trade list, trainee targets and beneficiary profiling for each round.
• Prepare sector and trade demand reports, briefs and evidence notes to inform program design and management decisions.
• Monitor emerging labour market trends, technology shifts and international best practices in industry-led skills development, to strengthen program design.

Program Design & Implementation Support:

• Coordinate with curriculum and academia partners so that curricula and Training of Trainers reflect industry requirements and align with NVQF / TEVTA / PBTE standards.
• Support the development of program guidelines and SOPs, including industry onboarding, proposal evaluation and equipment provision guidelines.
• Support tracking of program results, including enrolment, certification and EOBI-verified placement against the 70% employment target, and prepare analytical reports, dashboards, presentations and working papers for senior management, the Program Design Committee and the Board.
• Support stakeholder consultations, roundtables and coordination with government departments, including SD&ED.
• Perform any other assignments related to program design, research and strategic initiatives as assigned by management.
• Support the day-to-day implementation and operational management of the program, ensuring alignment with approved program objectives, policies, and targets.
• Develop and maintain institutional partnerships to strengthen program delivery.
• Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of training for beneficiaries, including coordination with training service providers, scheduling, attendance monitoring, and certification.
• Coordinate skills training interventions for beneficiaries in line with overseas employer requirements, market demand, and approved program criteria.
• Support beneficiary outreach, awareness campaigns, orientation sessions, and stakeholder consultations to promote the program and facilitate eligible applicants.
• Support the development and maintenance of program guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training manuals, communication materials, operational frameworks, and stakeholder documentation.
• Assist in analyze program performance data and prepare analytical reports, presentations, and dashboards for senior management and donor reporting purposes.
• Support innovation and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance program effectiveness, efficiency, and impact.
• Monitor emerging labor market trends, economic developments, and international best practices to strengthen program design approaches.
• Provide technical support to cross-functional teams during program development and implementation phases.
• Perform any other assignments related to program design, research, and strategic initiatives as assigned by management.