Technical Officer

Introduction

The Indian MSME sector generates around 100 million jobs through over 63 million registered units.  The sector contributes approximately 38% to the nation’s GDP and accounts for 40% and 45% share of the overall exports and manufacturing output respectively. It is the second largest employer after agriculture, though it also accounts for more than 90% of the informal economy in the country. While globalization and technological innovations have in recent year boosted growth of MSMEs, including rise in entrepreneurship culture, it has also increasingly made them vulnerable. Only 4% of MSMEs are job creators and majority of around 70 %  are micro enterprises employing less than 10 employees. Gender inequality is stark in the sector. A little over 10% of MSMEs are women-owned and 20% of employees in MSMEs are women. Significantly, the number of MSMEs reporting non-performance and insolvency have also doubled in the last four years.  The COVID pandemic related market disruptions has further hit hard this sector. 
In this backdrop, the PSEI project will focus on boosting local economic growth and generation of more and better quality jobs by promoting sustainable micro, small and medium enterprises, in alignment to ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, by strengthening their integration in the supply chain in two sectors – food processing, especially, fishery and, textiles and garments, in two states, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. It envisages doing this through enhancing capacity of policy makers, workers and employers’ organizations on global policy intervention models, especially from South Korea, and directly supporting MSMEs to upgrade management practices to improve productivity, and promote entrepreneurship among youths. The project will engage with state-level institutions to support in strengthening design and delivery of MSME business development services by demonstrating application of ILO enterprise tools, SCORE and SIYB. 
The project will be implemented within the 5-year programme framework of ILO, ‘India Decent Work Country Programme – 2018-22’ a commitment agreed and signed jointly by the ILO, Government of India, employers and workers organisations, the constituents of ILO. 

By the end of the 2-year project period, following outcomes are expected : 

Outcome 1 : MSME policy initiatives are effectively designed and implemented, enabling their market responsive to promote sustainable enterprises and integration in global supply chain 
Outcome 2 : India Youths and MSMEs demonstrate responsible management practices and entrepreneurial ability to boost productivity and sustain competitiveness, so as to join global supply chains with more productive and competitive business management

Reporting lines: 

The technical Officer will report to the Project Manager of the Project, under the overall supervision and guidance from the Director of the ILO Decent Work Team/Country Office (DWT/CO) in New Delhi. S/he will receive technical guidance from the Specialist – Small Enterprises and other relevant specialists in Decent Work Technical Support Team for South Asia (DWT-New Delhi) and from the ENTERPRISE Branch in ILO Headquarters.
 

Description of Duties

1.    Contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, especially on MSME policies and practises in South Korea related to the project objectives, in consultation with the ILO members; Project Manager of the project, Specialist-Small Enterprises of DWT-New Delhi, National Project Coordinator.
2.    Ensure the follow-up and consistency of the actions, particularly on best practises, knowledge and technical expertise from South Korea related to MSMEs for capacity building of Indian stakeholders and training of MSMEs for integration in supply chains, carried out by the project.
3.    Support Project Manager of the project on his/her preparation of technical reports, briefs and media advisory in accordance with the ILO guidelines and procedures.
4.    Provide technical support on MSME and supply chain issues to the project team and consultants and to the stakeholders of the project including relevant government agencies, social partners and other key institutions consistent with ILO policy orientation and taking into account country political context. Review and provide technical inputs to documents as required.
5.    With the support of the Project Manager of the project and other relevant specialists, contribute to the development of innovative approaches and tools, donor reports, adaptation of SCORE and SIYB tools including incorporation of practises / learnings from South Korea, development of IT enabled field monitoring platform and support research activities in order to collect and analyse practices and data from South Korea in the different technical fields covered by the project, notably on MSME aspects.
6.    Support in the selection and hiring of external collaborators from South Korea for project activities in India, including subject experts for SCORE/SIYB training deliveries and material development, as well as in the review of the deliverables / products as required. 
7.    Assist to plan, organize and conduct seminars, workshops, training and meetings on technical issues related to the project with other officials, under guidance and support by the Project Manager.
8.    Compile research-based evidence, document project achievements and good practices throughout its implementation, notably on MSME policies and practises.
9.    Undertake missions (business travels) in relation to project implementation as required.
10.    Any other duties assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in export management, economics, international trade, business management, international relations, operations management or other relevant fields. 
 

Experience

At least two to three (2-3) years of experience of which at least one year at the international level. Experience in the management of development cooperation projects related to MSME development, decent work in global supply chain, or sustainable enterprises, would be an added advantage.
Relevant technical areas include: the development of MSME policies and programmes, MSME / entrepreneurship training and action programmes, advisory services and the use of practical techniques for the MSME capacity / entrepreneurship trainings, and supply chain development. 
Exposure in implementation of technical co-operation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, and to provide quality services. Familiarity with policies and programmes on MSME development in South Korea would be an asset.
 

Languages

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Korean language would be an advantage.

Competencies

-    Cooperative attitude with the project team members, especially with the direct supervisor (Project Manager)
-    Knowledge of project administration, monitoring and evaluation tools.
-    Knowledge of IT platforms / software for developing field monitoring system
-    Ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses.
-    Ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution.
-    Proven ability to draft well project documents and evaluation reports. Excellent analytical skills.
-    Capacity to provide first-line technical advice in the area of specialization.
-    Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques, analyse complex cross-national practices and MSME performance data sets.
-    Capability to guide and co-ordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff or young professionals.
-    Ability to prepare reports and publications of a high quality, technically sound with conclusions leading to an action plan.
-    Good computer skills.
-    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.