Technical Specialist P4 (DC)

Iraq is emerging from an intensive conflict resulting in the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and working to transition into a more sustainable development period in its history.  A development cooperation project that strengthens the humanitarian-development nexus has been designed with the aim of improving working conditions and labour market governance in the Republic of Iraq. 
The project will contribute to the socio-economic development of the Republic of Iraq by enhancing the application of International Labour Standards and national labour legislation and by promoting social dialogue, social justice, and decent work. It will respond to decent work priorities at the national and governorate level and will design and rethink approaches to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Iraq’s labour market through resilience and decent work.

The first phase of the project (2020-2022) includes a number of governance interventions including: (1) modernizing and enhancing the effectiveness of the labour inspection system, in line with International Labour standards; (2) improving the administration and roll out of occupational safety and health, in line with ILO Conventions Nos. 155 and 187, and in response to COVID-19; and (3) strengthening awareness and understanding among workers and employers of labour inspection and occupational health and safety, to place them in a better position to engage in workplace programmes to promote compliance with national legislation and enhance protection in the workplace.

The project will also develop and implement a compliance model in the agriculture sector to benefit workers through improved working conditions, skills development and opportunities. Interventions will also support longer-term institutional change, including through implementation of agricultural worker bylaws, development of an agriculture worker’s union and collective bargaining agreements.

The position will be based in Baghdad with a focus on national-level interventions and direct implementation in selected governorates.

The project manager will report to the Country Coordinator and Senior Resilience and Crisis Response Specialist and the DWT Director and will be backstopped by the ILO Regional Office for Arab States.

• Responsible for effective management, coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation 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.
• Design and promote a wide range of responses to challenges facing labour administration and labour market governance in Iraq. This involves analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics, information or policy guidelines in a manner requiring the advanced application of international labour standards, principles of labour administration, compliance and development theories.
• Develop and review tools, guidance and institutional frameworks, to strengthen the capacity of social partners to meaningfully and effectively engage in policy-level decision-making, social dialogue, dispute resolution and the implementation of national laws and policies, particularly in the agriculture sector.
• Assume full responsibility for policy formulation and providing policy advice to ILOs 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 donor meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.
• Efficiently manage the human resources of the project 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 and build and enhance strategic partnerships and sub-regional networks of government policymakers, donors, worker’s and employer’s organizations and civil society organizations.
   

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

At least seven years’ experience of which three years at international level. This includes field    experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects, preferably 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 socio-economic situation in the Republic of Iraq
Knowledge & experience of working with constituents in Arab states is an advantage
 

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.

• 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/program’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for program development.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings.
• Ability to promote a 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 programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments, social partners and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide 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 work within 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.
• Sound knowledge of the roles of and interrelationships among, international organizations and national governments in the technical cooperation process
• Sound knowledge of socio-economic conditions and labour administration and governance in several countries.
• Excellent knowledge of technical cooperation principles, concepts and techniques.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to perform complex analyses on a wide range of factors, requirements, policies and priorities for the assessment and implementation of projects.
• Excellent trouble-shooting and problem solving skills.
• Ability to advise national governments and donor agencies on technical cooperation processes and requirements and project formulation and feasibility.
• Ability to successfully mobilize resources.
• Ability to represent the office at a senior level.
• Ability to plan and organise work and to provide guidance and training to staff members.