Senior National Officer Engineer - NOB

The impact of the Syrian crisis is particularly harsh in the north of Jordan and especially in the poverty pockets of Mafraq and Irbid Governorates, where an important number of archaeological sites of great interest, yet not currently developed and promoted as tourism destinations, can be found. The crisis has furthermore affected a broad number of industries including tourism, one of the key business sectors contributing to about 20% of Jordan’s GDP (WTTC, 2014). Against this background, the Jordan Response Plan for the Syria Crisis (2017-2019) calls for the creation/improvement of income-generating opportunities and the revitalization of seriously impacted industries, including tourism, for improved livelihoods for Jordanians, and Syrians living in host communities. This priority is further substantiated by the United Nations Assistance Framework (UNAF, 2015) and by the Co-Host Declaration of the London (2016) and Brussels (2017) Conferences, which all call on the international community to support Jordan in the creation of new jobs in the public and private sector.

The core competences of ILO and UNESCO come together in this project to ensure dignified, sustainable livelihoods and create economic opportunities for Jordanians in host communities and Syrian refugees through culture as a source of resilience. In line with governmental and international priorities and actions in response to the Syria crisis the project targets: i) on the short-term, immediate measures that promote human dignity, livelihood and social cohesion in preparation for long-term economic opportunities; ii) on the long-term: sustainable decent work opportunities and entrepreneurial activities within an enabling policy environment in the Culture Sector. This will be achieved by engaging both Syrians and Jordanians in their respective communities in the preservation and development of cultural heritage sites for tourism purposes in the northern districts of Jordan (Irbid and Mafraq) through the use of Employment Intensive schemes for safeguarding and rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites.

The National Officer will be recruited to help the ILO office Jordan put into action the activities identified. More generally, s/he will promote, develop, backstop and evaluate employment intensive investment strategies within the MSSRP.

Reporting lines

The National Officer will work under the direct supervision of the ILO Jordan country coordinator, and the overall technical guidance by the Resilience and Crisis Response Specialist and DWT Arab States

Director. The position will be based in the ILO office in Amman, Jordan.

• Coordinate the project timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan. Support the preparation of TORs, timing of inputs and recruitment of international and local consultants;
• Contribute proposals for programme/project development and serve as national programme advisor to the project stakeholders and draft portions of programme and budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, country strategy papers, objectives, project reviews and evaluation;
• Monitor progress of ILO programmes, projects and activities by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness;
• Provide technical support to the Governmental partners for the development of guidelines and specifications on labour-based methodologies for different categories of works;
• Organize training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding on Labour Intensive approaches and provide technical support for implementing training needs assessments;
• Provide technical support of employment impact assessments and employment monitoring;
• Participate in Introductory Workshops to introduce the principles of employment generation and LB methods;
• Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project's components according to the project's document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor;
• Provide technical support during procurement process and contract award to ensure that employment creation remains an objective;
• Provide hands-on technical support on labour-based technology during Project implementation;
• Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations in the planning and implementation of activities under the project;
• Perform any other duties necessary as assigned by the ILO Country Coordinator.

First level university degree in Civil Engineering.

At least three years of professional experience in the relevant occupational area. Experience in labour based implementation is a must.

Fluent in Arabic and excellent command of English.

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:

• Familiar with labour-based and local resource-based approaches to infrastructure improvement.
• Understanding of the impact of the Syrian crisis and the need to create local jobs.
• Strong management skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritize own workload.
• Strong monitoring and reporting skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to assume responsibility and to coordinate with others.
• Attention to detail and ability to handle tasks accurately.
• Willing to travel regularly to the project sites (driver license).
• 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 in diversified environments.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.