National Project Coordinator - NOB (DC)

At its November 2014 Governing Body, the ILO set out its strategy for the follow-up to the adoption of the Protocol and Recommendation on supplementary measures for the effective suppression of forced labour. The overall vision for this strategy is that the scale of forced labour, currently estimated at 25 million, will be significantly reduced in the forthcoming years. The objective is hence to effectively eliminate traditional and state-imposed forced labor systems and to significantly reduce contemporary forms of forced labor, which are often linked to human trafficking. 

The project is funded by the US Department of Labor (US-DOL) and, is being implemented in five priority countries (Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, and Peru). This would emancipate millions of people who are the least protected and poorest, and who often work in the informal economy. The realization of this vision requires political will and determination, which ILO constituents have already expressed through their overwhelming support for the adoption of the two new instruments. If widely ratified and implemented, the Protocol and Recommendation can act as catalysts in turning the vision of a world without forced labor into reality. This project aims to put the follow-up strategy into practice through five inter-related outcomes:

1. Increased knowledge, awareness, and implementation of the Protocol and Recommendation;
2. Improved evidence-based and responsive national policies and action plans on forced labor with strong implementation, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms;
3. Enhanced efforts to collect reliable national statistics in order to carry out research and share knowledge across institutions at national, regional, and global levels;
4. Strengthened workers’ and employers’ organizations to support the fight against forced labor in partnership with other interested parties; and
5. Strengthened awareness and livelihoods programs to prevent forced labor and to provide victims with access to remedies.

The project, by working globally, as well as in five priority countries, will advance and provide a concrete grounding to this strategy. It aims to harness and build on the momentum that led to the adoption of the Protocol and Recommendation and to foster an understanding of their effective implementation at both the global and national levels.

Under the overall supervision of the ILO-Kathmandu Director and guidance of the Project manager based in Geneva, the NPC in Kathmandu  will substantively support the implementation and coordination of the Bridge project activities in Nepal. The National Project Coordinator will work in close collaboration with ILO Geneva; relevant DWT India and CO Kathmandu officials particularly with the Programme Officer in charge for technical backstopping and Administrative & Finance Officer; and the staff of other ILO projects to facilitate the highest technical integrity of the project outputs, as identified in the Project document.

1. Plan, lead, supervise and monitor the work of the BRIDGE project in Nepal, assuming full responsibility of the project implementation, delivery of outputs, and attainment of objectives. Identify problems or constrains, and identify and implement appropriate remedies.
2. Assist the implementation partners to develop implementation agreements and provide substantive input and backstopping of the activities in accordance with the project workplan. Identify technical assistance needs and assist in coordinating project implementation.
3. Conduct supervision of funded partners to ensure implementation remains in accordance with contracted purpose.
4. Properly supervise projects so that performance problems or breaches of contract are identified as soon as possible.
5. Contribute creative ideas to the implementation of the project and ways to address forced labour related issues; 
6. Keep up to date with other forced labour, trafficking and migration related activities in the ILO and with other United Nations partners and attempt to identify synergies.
7. Prepare periodical technical progress reports on the status of the project activities. 
8. Monitor progress of the project by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness;
9. Serve as part of the technical team responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the project.
10. Ensure adequate coordination for timely exchange of financial, technical and administrative data with the project team based in South Asia; participate actively in the periodical/weekly coordination meeting of the project via skype/phone conference with the South Asia team. 
11. Follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets. 
12. Assemble and edit basic data required for planning and negotiation of the BRIDGE project activities, considering different approaches and alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution; consider project partners’ suggestions and needs in updating activities and work plans. 
13. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements. 
14. Prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analyzing and monitoring situation of planned activities of the project and making recommendations to management for remedial action. 
15. Take the lead, coordinate and participate in the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings. Serve as a resource person to the project’s partners and during conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings.

    16.Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on

         forced labour issues and project matters.

    17.Draft, or translate into, local language(s) news releases, official correspondence, statements and speeches and

         other public information material. 

    18.Contribute information (news, project updates) to the various ILO knowledge sharing platforms (ILO website,

         ILO Kathmandu website, Asia-Pacific Knowledge Sharing Platform)

    19.Undertake missions to project sites, independently or accompanying other officials.

    20.Under the supervision of the project manager based in Geneva, draft terms of reference for consultants and monitor

         the work of the consultants to ensure timely output.

    21.Coordinate and liaise with stakeholders and line ministries to facilitate project implementation.

    22.Support training activities and identify training material to the national context for capacity-building and knowledge

         sharing.

    23.Participate in the development of project research and publications. 

    24.Coordinate with Administrative & Finance Officer to prepare procurement plans for equipment, furniture and services

         for project implementation. 

    25.Supervise the work of staff under the project.

    26.Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

University degree reflecting expertise in areas relevant to this project, such as labor   law, public policy, sociology, social work, and project management.

At least five years relevant national experience, ideally in a leadership position of contributing to the implementation of project activities and contributing to project management and administration (including preparation and submission of required technical and financial reports). Experience working with projects addressing issues of forced labor and/or other labor issues relevant to the project.

Excellent command of English and a good knowledge of Nepali is required.

• Good knowledge about social, economic development, including labor and employment, trends in  the country
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organizations.
• Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
• Ability to conduct action oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
• Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
• 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 in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive an non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.