Trade, Education and Skills Programme Manager

Trade, Education and Skills Programme Manager

Embassy of Ireland, Pretoria

Our mission is to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and economic well-being of Ireland and its people. We do this under the political direction of our Ministers, through our staff at home and through our Embassy network abroad.

The Embassy of Ireland, Pretoria is seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking person with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to fill a full-time Trade, Education and Skills programme manager position on an initial three-year contract to join our team.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Head of Trade, Skills and Education manage and coordinate the Trade, Skills and Education portfolio to support Ireland’s linked objectives of supporting inclusive economic growth and raising Ireland’s profile as a trade and investment partner in South Africa and the region. (Full Job Description available on the Embassy website)

This will include:

· Developing institutional linkages and cooperation between Ireland and South Africa.

· Managing the Embassy’s Fellowship programme and supporting the growth of the Alumni network.

· Coordinating other areas of work to support skills development and employment in South Africa.

· Supporting trade promotion to raise Ireland’s profile as a trade and investment partner in South Africa.

· Expanding Ireland’s trade, investment tourism and cultural links with South Africa and the region.

· Supporting institutional linkages, networks and cooperation between Ireland and South Africa.

· Promoting Skills and Employment Development in South Africa.

1) Expand Ireland’s trade, investment tourism and cultural links with South Africa and the region

· Engaging with the private sector to develop knowledge of trade and business interests between Ireland and South Africa, and supporting the growth of Irish business networks.

· Supporting coordination across ‘Team Ireland’ - Ireland’s trade focused bodies in South Africa, and regional coordination on trade issues with other Irish Embassies in Southern Africa.

· Conducting research and analysis to support the work of the Embassy in this area, particularly on economic trends and sectors of interest to Ireland and Irish business.

· Supporting the Embassy’s business, entrepreneurship and technology partnerships, including the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa Programme.

· Carrying out targeted trade promotion activities to raise Ireland’s profile as a trade and investment partner in South Africa.

· Supporting ad-hoc projects as necessary, including coordinating trade visits.

· Developing familiarity with all key documents outlining Ireland’s Foreign Policy and Development objectives (Global Island, Global Ireland, A Better World, Ireland’s Africa Strategy) and the linkages between these policies and the Embassy Strategy.

· Providing strategic input and advice on trade development across the work of the Embassy and input to relevant cross Embassy Teams, including political, development and public diplomacy.

· Contributing to the development of annual business plans, performance management frameworks and budgets to effectively implement and monitor progress of activities under each Key Performance Area set out in this Job Description.

• Other duties as may be required.

2) Supporting institutional linkages, networks and cooperation between Ireland and South Africa

· Developing and mapping institutional linkages and cooperation between Ireland and South Africa.

· Supporting the development of the existing partnerships between Universities of Technology in South Africa and Ireland.

· Promoting ‘Education in Ireland’ - attracting students from South Africa and the region to study in Ireland and developing linkages in this area of work.

3) Promoting Skills and Employment Development in South Africa

· Staying abreast of key issues and developing knowledge networks to support the Embassy of Ireland’s work on skills and employment in South Africa.

· Managing embassy projects that support skills and employment in South Africa and ensuring lesson learning from these engagements.

· Engaging with the private sector for partnerships on skills development and employment.

· Managing the delivery of the Fellowship Programme in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Lesotho, and ensuring that a strategic and targeted approach is adopted for the selection of candidates and courses of study

· Supporting the development of a strong South African Alumni of Irish Higher Education Institutes and other affinity diaspora groups.

Essential Requirements

· A bachelor’s degree (South African Qualifications Authority Level 7 or higher or equivalent level in relevant national education framework) in one of the following disciplines: arts and humanities, economics, trade, business management, or law.

· A minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in Southern Africa.

· A proven track record of all aspects of project and grant management.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills (including computer literacy).

· Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently (self-starter) and as part of a team.

· Proven ability to collate and distil large amounts of information, summarising findings to be used for management decisions and planning.

· Police clearance and valid work permit to work in South Africa.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

· Master’s degree in a related field.

· Experience working with third level institutions or working on projects related to third level institutions.

· Demonstrated capacity in strategic and results focused thinking and planning.

Terms and Conditions:

• Primary work location: Embassy of Ireland, Pretoria;
• Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week, with standard office hours from 8am to 16:30pm; Occasional late working or attendance at work-related events outside of working hours is required; Occasional travel is required;
• The Salary for the position is ZAR 50 610.10 per month (ZAR 607 321.92 per annum) which is Base Point of the relevant Salary Scale
• · Estimated start date: 01/10/2025. A 12-month probationary period will apply, after which time performance will be reviewed.
• Benefits: Medical Aid
• The successful candidate must have a legal entitlement to live and work in country prior to recruitment.

How to Apply

The Job Description and Application Form for this position are available on our website

Completed application forms should be sent via e-mail only ,

with the subject line Trade, Education and Skills Manager.

Applications must be received before 16h30 on Friday 29th August 2025.

No applications will be accepted after this deadline.
Please note that only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Selection Process:

• Depending on the number of applications received, a short-listing of candidates to be called for a competency-based interview may be undertaken based on the Essential/Key Requirements above.
• It is planned that interviews will be held in person at the Irish Embassy in Pretoria in September 2025.
• A skills test may be included in the recruitment process;
• A second interview may be included in the recruitment process; and
• A panel may be set up depending on the calibre of candidates.

General Data Protection Regulation:

All personal information received will be kept in line with GDPR guidelines.

Security clearance for Local Staff

Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful, this information will be destroyed. If the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position, they will be required to supply this information again.

Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.

The Embassy of Ireland is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: R50 610,10 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Pretoria, Gauteng: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelors (Required)

Experience:

• Trade and Skills and Education: 5 years (Required)

Application Deadline: 2025/08/29
Expected Start Date: 2025/10/01