Project Manager/Technical Specialist, Skills Development P4 (DC)

The ILO Skills portfolio is responding to a challenging country context. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on Lebanon, exacerbating an already serious economic crisis and its profound, and ongoing, effects on livelihoods, employment, and the delivery of education and training. Lebanon is currently experiencing rising poverty levels, heightened job insecurity amidst widespread business closures and increased unemployment, and a highly unstable foreign exchange market. The high refugee population in Lebanon is at particular risk, though the impacts of these multiple crises are felt by both Lebanese host communities and Lebanon’s refugee population alike.

The ILO’s skills portfolio responds to these challenges by supporting the strengthening of the skills development system for entry to, and transitions within the Lebanese labour market through improving access to and capacities to deliver market relevant technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The ILO supports Lebanese formal TVET as well as non-formal vocational training providers, with a portfolio of projects implemented within the framework of the Lebanon Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP).

The incumbent will lead the ILO Skills project team in Lebanon, comprised of the Project Manager/Technical Specialist (P4), a National Project Coordinator (NOB), two National Skills Officers (NOA, to be recruited) and an Administrative Assistant (G5). The portfolio currently comprises three projects, and implementation responsibility for the skills component of a fourth project. There is a need to ensure close coordination with ILO constituents, and, due to the nature of the portfolio and work, coordination and alignment across all skills projects and activities and ILO projects in Lebanon relating to employment and economic development.

Reporting lines
The incumbent will liaise and work under direct supervision of the Regional Senior Skills and Employability Specialist (P5), with overall supervision ensured from the Deputy Regional Director/Decent Work Team (DWT) Director of the Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS). The incumbent will also receive technical guidance and support from the Skills Branch in ILO HQ, and from the Senior Regional Employment Policy Specialist, the Resilience and Crisis Response Specialist and from other ROAS technical specialists.

• Responsible for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all TVET/Skills 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 responsible Field Office.
• Interact with all relevant stakeholders and donors at national level and establish synergies regarding TVET with other interventions as part of the UN Strategic Framework for Lebanon and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan.
• Provide support, in coordination with the Regional Skills and Employability Specialist and DWT Director, on matters relating to socio-economic development, decent work and employment promotion as required in relation to Lebanon.
• Ensure coordination and delivery of skills outputs relevant to other ILO projects in an effective manner and is able to properly support and represent the ILO in respective coordination meetings with partner agencies and donors respectively.
• Contribute to the design, development and presentation of proposals for new projects, and lead further resource mobilization and portfolio growth in skills.
• Ensure that gender equality is appropriately mainstreamed in all activities and documents produced by the project.
• Manage the budget of the project(s) and ensure adequate coaching and performance management of staff under his/her supervision.
• Review the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities through regular monitoring; identify bottlenecks to timely implementation of the projects and select alternative strategies, after internal consultations.
• Liaise with ILO constituents and ensure their involvement in project implementation and relevant consultations in coordination and communication with the respective DWT specialists.
• Prepare and conduct capacity development seminars, workshops and technical meetings and build networks and alliances with employers, trade unions, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Director of the DWT/Beirut.
   

Advanced university degree in international development studies, social sciences, public administration and governance, economics or other relevant technical fields, or first level degree with the equivalent in experience.

• At least seven years of professional experience in the management, implementation, evaluation or funding of technical cooperation programmes, of which three years at the international level.
• Knowledge of and experience in working on Technical and Vocational Education and Training and skills development, alongside socio-economic matters related to employment and decent work.
• Proven experience in the design, development and presentation of project proposals, and fundraising.
• Proven experience in refugee crisis response, in particular in areas such as access to work for refugees and livelihoods support. Experience in livelihoods refugee crisis response in Lebanon is an advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of crisis response related to livelihoods, in particular labour issues.
• Demonstrated experience in running projects in conflict or crisis affected areas.
• Knowledge and experience of working with ILO constituents, and in Arab states, is an advantage.
   

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be a further asset.

• Demonstrated capacity to provide relevant and effective technical advice on the technical area and related topics.
• Ability to conceptualise, design, plan and implement research work including analysis of complex cross-national practices and data sets.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and decent work teams.
• Ability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
• Excellent writing skills to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation. Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools, and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer skills.
• The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.