Technical Specialist P4 (DC) 1

The political and socio-economic context in Iraq is highly complex and has recently transitioned into a new phase.
At times of heightened vulnerability, as currently is the case in Iraq, households often use their children’s labour as a coping mechanism.  The recent Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS6), carried out by UNICEF in 2018, finds that 7.3% of children in Iraq between the ages of 5 to 17 years old engaged in child labour.
In response, the ILO - through funding from and a partnership with The European Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) will implement a project entitled: Tackling the Worst Forms of Child Labour amongst IDPs, Refugees, and Vulnerable Host Communities in Iraq. The project will adopt an integrated approach to address the worst form of child labour through a set of complementary upstream and downstream interventions building on its normative mandate and tripartite structure (Government, employers’ and workers’ organization).

REPORTING LINES

The project manager will report to the DWT Arab States Director and work under the overall coordination of the ILO Programme Coordinator for Iraq.  Technical backstopping will be provided by the DWT Crisis Response and Resilience Specialist and the IPEC/Fundamentals team in ILO HQ. 

-Responsible for effective management, coordination, planning, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and administrative and financial procedures, in consultation with the Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS).

-Design and execute child labour related programmes and interventions. This involves analysis of complex or data, statistics, information or policy guidelines in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognized technical specialization.

-Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes to address child labour and other issues related to Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW).

-Provide policy advice to ILO’s constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of technical cooperation activities.

-Manage effectively the funds/budget assigned to the project for meaningful impact and ensure the preparation of periodic progress reports for submission in accordance with the established rules and procedures.

-Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.

-Disseminate information on action programmes through publications and press releases as well as ensure representation at donors meetings, international, regional and national for a and advocacy campaigns.

-Manage efficiently project staff including recruitment and performance management.

-Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, conference reports).

-Represent the Office at project meetings, seminars and evaluations related to child labour and FPRW and inter—agency cluster meetings on child protection in Iraq. Build and enhance strategic partnerships and sub-regional networks of government policymakers, worker’s and employer’s organizations and civil society organizations.

-Liaise with colleagues of other ILO projects operating in Iraq, and particularly those targeting internally displaced people (IDPs) and Syrian refugees. Build synergies with these projects.

-Closely coordinate with other UN agencies, development partners, and NGOs working on child labour/child protection and other FPRW and identify opportunities for new partnerships and resource mobilization. 

-Undertake other duties as required.
 

Advanced university degree in the field of economics, social sciences, law and other related education.

• At least seven years’ experience, three of which at the international level: This includes field experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects, preferably in the field of child labour/ child protection or FPRW, or in the fields of employment and livelihoods
• Proven management experience, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.
• In-depth understanding of the dynamics and complexities of mass displacement and conflict, with direct experience/knowledge of the Syria refugee crisis and of internal displacement in Iraq preferable.
• Knowledge & experience of working with constituents in Arab states, particularly in Iraq is an advantage

Excellent command of English, Proficiency in Arabic would be considered an asset.

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies, and to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research;
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners;
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation project/program activities with partners.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to provide high quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities;
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.