National Programme Coordinator

Introduction

Over the last decade Saudi Arabia has achieved significant socio-economic development. In April 2016, the Kingdom launched Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious long-term plan for sustainable development. In this context, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia (MHRSD) has requested ILO support in a number of key thematic areas related to labour market governance and decent work promotion. Building on two earlier phases of cooperation, Phase 3 of the Programme of Cooperation, entitled "Addressing Decent Work Gaps — An ILO contribution to realise Vision 2030", supports further progress in labour market governance in the Kingdom.

Under Phase 3, the ILO has established a Project Office in Riyadh, hosted by the MHRSD to deliver the programme, headed by a Senior Coordinator. The National Programme Coordinator is a core member of this team and supports the delivery of the programme.

Reporting lines

The National Programme Coordinator will be based in the ILO Project Office in Riyadh and will report to the Senior Coordinator. The incumbent will benefit from technical guidance from ILO specialists in the Decent Work Team for Arab States and relevant ILO headquarters departments, and will work closely with the project’s technical staff, support staff and the wider ILO team.  The National Programme Coordinator will receive guidance from the Regional Programming Services (RPS) Unit in ROAS.

Description of Duties

1. Lead the day-to-day implementation of the programme's workplan, translating strategic objectives into detailed implementation, monitoring and delivery plans, and identifying innovative and effective approaches for achieving results in conformity with ILO policies, programming guidelines and administrative and financial procedures.
2. Provide substantial and high-quality programming inputs across the full range of the programme's components - drafting programme framework documents, concept notes, project proposals, technical background documents, reports and briefing materials with minimum supervision.
3. Support monitoring and evaluation activities of the project, in particular, monitor progress of the project and activities, by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project. Apply results-based management (RBM) rigorously: maintain the programme's results framework, indicators, baselines and milestones;
4. Establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships with national counterparts - including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and other government entities, and employers' and workers' organizations - and represent the programme credibly in technical discussions and working-level negotiations.
5. Plan, organize and provide technical and substantive direction to conferences, seminars, workshops, tripartite consultations and capacity-building events; oversee the preparation of agendas, technical documents, presentations and proceedings; and follow up on the implementation of agreed actions.
6. Identify capacity gaps of constituents and stakeholders and propose appropriate technical responses; contribute to the design and delivery of training and knowledge products, drawing on international labour standards and good practice.
7. Prepare and manage Terms of Reference for external collaborators and service providers; follow up on and quality-assure their deliverables, ensuring technical soundness, value for money and consistency with the programme workplan and ILO rules.
8. Initiate, plan and undertake monitoring missions and field visits; assess implementation progress, identify risks and bottlenecks, and propose and follow up on corrective action.
9. Support resource mobilization and partnership development: identify emerging needs, funding opportunities and areas for joint action with UN agencies - including through Joint programming and by attending relevant UN technical group as requested by the Country Coordinator- and other partners; ensure coordination with relevant national strategies and related initiatives; and contribute to the preparation of proposals and to the ILO's positioning and visibility.
10. Ensure high-level communications to increase project's visibility at the national and international level, information-sharing and reporting: systematically document activities, results, good practices and lessons learned for replication and communication at country and regional levels and contribute to the programme's communication and visibility strategy.
11. Contribute to the sound administrative and financial management of the project office; oversee, guide and provide induction and coaching to project support staff, consultants and interns as assigned; and foster a collaborative, results-oriented and gender-responsive team environment.
12. Provide substantive briefings and informal interpretation and translation (Arabic-English) for ILO staff, specialists and visiting officials as required, and perform other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in economics, public policy or public administration, law, social sciences, development studies, international relations, business or management, or another field relevant to the programme. An advanced university degree (Master’s) in a relevant field is strongly desirable.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development cooperation programmes or projects. Experience of working with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is required.

The following are strongly desirable and will be considered an advantage: Relevant professional experience, especially in the field of labour market governance; demonstrated experience managing or coordinating multi-component, multi-stakeholder programmes; experience working with government institutions and/or employers’ and workers’ organizations; experience within the United Nations or an international organization; and familiarity with the Saudi and/or GCC labour-market and institutional context.

Languages

Arabic and English, both written and spoken, is required.

Competencies

• Sound knowledge of results-based management and of the full programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation), and the ability to apply them independently.
• Ability to draft high-quality programme and technical documents, reports and correspondence in both Arabic and English.
• Strong technical knowledge in finance and administration, very good communication skills, and relevant experience in financial compliance, procurement support, and administrative coordination. Ability to contribute to resource mobilization and to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadline, cost and quality standards.
• Good knowledge of PC software (word processing, spreadsheets and presentations) and the ability to adapt quickly to new systems, including ERP.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
• Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
• Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
• Ability to train and guide personnel.
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in diversified environments.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities and to act with integrity and transparency, maintaining social, ethical and organizational norms.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.