Training Program Director / Chief Technical Advisor – Power & Energy

About the role

The Training Program Director / Chief Technical Advisor will lead the design, mobilization, technical governance and delivery of a national‑level power and energy training and capacity‑development programme in Syria. Reporting to senior management, the incumbent will translate sector priorities into an executable training architecture and oversee a multidisciplinary team of subject‑matter experts.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive training architecture covering generation interfaces, transmission, HV/MV substations, protection and control, SCADA/telecom, laboratories, renewable energy, energy efficiency, MRV and asset management.
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary SMEs, instructors and curriculum developers to deliver technical qualification programmes and train‑the‑trainer modules.
• Conduct training‑needs analyses, competency mapping and practical assessments to ensure alignment with national energy objectives.
• Engage ministries, utilities, donors, EPCs and other senior stakeholders to secure support and resources.
• Provide executive oversight of program delivery, quality assurance, procurement and project controls in a post‑conflict environment.

Required profile

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain or maintain an active Secret security clearance.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in power, energy, utilities, engineering or technical training, including leadership of large‑scale, multi‑discipline programmes.
• Proven experience conducting training‑needs analyses, curriculum design and train‑the‑trainer systems.
• Working knowledge of power‑sector functions such as generation interfaces, transmission, substations, protection/control, SCADA, asset management and maintenance.
• Prior experience in austere, post‑conflict or politically sensitive environments and willingness to reside in Syria for the contract duration.

Required skills

• Grid systems and transmission engineering
• HV/MV substations, protection and control
• SCADA/telecom systems
• Laboratory operations for power equipment
• Renewable energy technologies
• Energy efficiency and MRV methodologies
• Asset management and maintenance planning
• Project controls and procurement
• Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)
• Technical documentation development