Technical Officer (M&E), UKPFSEA (Skills for Prosperity Southeast Asia)

In 2015, the Department for International Development announced the Cross-Government Prosperity Fund to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as the 2015 UK Aid Strategy by promoting growth and prosperity in developing countries.  The Cross-Government Prosperity Fund’s focus is on Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible middle income-countries and provide expertise and technical assistance in sectors and countries where there is the highest potential for inclusive growth. 

The UK Prosperity Fund for Skills Programme in South East Asia (Skills for Prosperity Southeast Asia) falls under the Cross-Government Prosperity Fund’s Global Skills Programme where ODA is granted to support middle income countries to address skills shortages.  The Global Skills Programme takes a partnership approach and draws on UK expertise to promote sustainable and inclusive growth by improving the affordability, quality, relevance and equity of Higher Education (HE) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the partner countries. 

The Skills for Prosperity Southeast Asia Programme is implemented by the ILO, led by the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) and the Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific (DWT-Bangkok).  The programme aims to increase national capacity to achieve sustained inclusive growth through the enhancement of skills development and technical and vocational education training (TVET) systems.  These systems will offer relevant, quality and inclusive programmes that support both industry upgrading and transformation, and improvements in employability, employment and the livelihood opportunities of beneficiaries.  The programme targets three middle-income countries in Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.  Across all countries, the programme will support national efforts to facilitate reform at the policy and system levels for broad national impact and sustainability.  At the same time, it will ensure impact at the individual level by contributing to poverty reduction and address inequality.  In short, the project combines interventions at the upstream level (e.g. policy and structure) and the downstream level (training delivery, certification and employment facilitation).  The intended impact is the increased capacity for inclusive growth in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines due to more productive and equitable skills systems and TVET systems, improving employability, employment opportunities and the livelihoods for the beneficiaries.

On-going specialized expertise on monitoring and evaluation is required to effectively deliver results and respond to programme management needs in assessing progress and identifying lessons learned.

The Technical Officer will report technical and administratively to the Regional Technical and Programme Coordinator and will also receive guidance and support from the Skills & Employability Specialist in DWT-Bangkok and support from relevant technical specialists.

Under direct supervision, within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the programme, the Technical Officer will assist the overall activities of the above programme by providing technical support to the programme and contribute to the expected outcomes. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas.

Reporting lines: supervision to be received by the incumbent (level and type) and to be given by the incumbent

- The incumbent will report directly to the Regional Technical and Programme Coordinator overseeing the programme implementation.   The incumbent will receive technical guidance and support from relevant technical specialists.

- The incumbent will work with close collaboration with colleagues of the Skills for Prosperity Southeast Asia Programme based in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines and/consultants of the Global Britain Education and Skills Hub.

- The incumbent will also oversee the work of international experts, national officers, and any other international and local consultant hired during the course of the programme on issues relating to the monitoring and evaluation.

1. Develop and use monitoring and evaluation tools for results based project management, including theory of change, detailed Monitoring and Evaluation plan, performance frameworks, risk management strategies, management information systems and manuals.

2. Design the methodology and oversee baseline and end-line research to shape the design of programme activities and assess impact, ensuring that methodology is gender-responsive, sensitive to the discrimination, and takes an ‘inclusive’ approach to the project’s objectives.

3. Carry out a range of activities aimed at the effective implementation of project objectives, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country-action programs, and administrative and financial procedures.

4. Collaborate with the project staff and national partners in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities, in coordination with the ILO Office and HQ. This will be achieved by delivering timely administrative support, advice and assistance to project and administrative teams and colleagues on financial, human resource and ILO regulations and procedures.

5. Coordinate reporting processes (i.e. quarterly, bi-annually, annually) with partner organizations, analyse data for measurement of key performance indicators, prepare inputs for project reports and communications and liaise with technical staff to make evidence-based adjustments to strategy.

6. Carry out research and provides technical inputs in the preparation of country and regional and country analyses, reports and publications.

7. Provide training and technical support to governments, social partners, NGOs and project staff on gender responsive monitoring and evaluation that takes into account the sensitivities.

8. Establish and/or maintain a database for monitoring and evaluation and aimed at tracking progress against Key Performance Indicators.

9. Coordinate with colleagues at the country level to refine approaches and maximize synergies of data gathering in complementary fields of activity.

10. Support data gathering and analysis for research-based component ensuring that approaches are sound and gender-responsive, including designing data collection tools and participating in field research missions and desk research.

11. Organize project evaluations, targeted evaluations and evaluability assessment to support accountability and learning, including identifying and document good practices and lessons learned for sharing in publications, social media and at regional global forums.

12. Liaise on operational matters related to the project with different stakeholders from governments, workers' and employers' organizations, UN organizations non-governmental organizations.

13. Provide inputs for budget preparation and other related matters, including the process of preparing relevant documentation for responsible ILO entities.

14. Participate in training seminars and workshops as resource person. Contribute to staff training and strengthening of project teams in the countries.

15. Collaborate closely with relevant ILO programmes and projects, ILO units and responsible ILO offices and DWT as appropriate, to obtain technical inputs and share best practices and lessons learned.

16. Supervise the work of interns and consultants conducting M&E and research activities.

17. Provide inputs for project budget preparation.

18. Undertake missions relating to project implementation.

First level degree in the relevant technical field is required, in monitoring and evaluation, international development, public administration, law, economies or other relevant field of social science. An Advanced university degree would be an advantage.
 

Three years of relevant professional experience at the national level including two years at the international level.

Excellent command of English.

- Ability to draft clearly and concisely, and prepare project proposals, reports and studies.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Good analytical skills.
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
- Ability to carry out assignments in accordance with instructions and guidelines.
- Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
- Ability to conceptualise, plan, and conduct straightforward research work, Good computer skills
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.