National Project Officer- NOA (DC)

Introduction

The joint programme “Addressing Drivers and Facilitating Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in the Contexts of Disasters and Climate Change in the IGAD Region” seeks to minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their country of origin, while also facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration in the context of disasters, climate change and environmental degradation in the IGAD Region. The implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies can have a positive contribution on development and protection of those moving or being compelled to move, the risk of which can be reduced or mitigated through regular pathways for migration, integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction, climate action and measures to support decent work and livelihoods and migration as an adaptation strategy.

The overall objective of this joint programme is to contribute to facilitating pathways for regular migration in the IGAD region and minimizing displacement risk in the context of climate change, environmental degradation and disasters in line with the vision and guiding principles of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). In particular, the joint programme aims to improve regional and national migration governance in the context of the adverse impacts of climate change and environmental degradation through different actions that each address the relevant objectives of the GCM and contribute to the implementation of other relevant international instruments, notably Target 10.7 under Sustainable Development Goal 10, the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement under the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the project, the National Project Officer will perform duties in fulfilment of the project work plan at the national level. The incumbent will ensure that the objectives stated in the project document will be  attained within the stated time frame and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO and the Project/Program's financial and operating procedures. With the support of ILO specialists in different policy areas, the incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda, in line with the priorities identified by the constituents through the relevant Decent work country programmes (DWCPs).

The incumbent will ensure operational coordination of activities and be responsible for project implementation and results in Ethiopia. The NPO will support coordination with partners and stakeholders at the national level; and will engage in regular coordination meeting with the Participating United Nations Organizations (PUNOS) jointly implementing the project. The National Project Officer will be responsible the hiring and coordination of the work of external collaborators for activities.

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with regular missions to the target areas at the North Wollo region.

Reporting lines

Under the overall responsibility of the Director of the ILO Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia, based in Addis Ababa, the National Project Officer (NPO) will work under the direct supervision of or of the technical supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) of the Free Movement of person and Transhumance project (FMPT). He/she will benefit from operational guidance from other technical specialists (Regional office for Africa, MIGRANT Geneva).
The incumbent will also  receive technical support from the Regional Labour Migration specialist in the Decent Work Country Team in Cairo and Pretoria, the Green Jobs specialists based in Pretoria and Abidjan, and the technical specialists of the Decent Work Teams in the fields of Green Jobs, Migration, Skills, Employment, ACTRAV (workers organizations) and ACT/EMP (employers organizations) and with other specialists in the fields of statistics and regional migration.

Description of Duties

1. Coordinate the implementation of project activities with criteria of timeliness, quality and effectiveness, ensuring the achievement of planned results in the time frame and within budget, in accordance with project requirements, policies, values and procedures of the ILO. Deliveries and outcomes must be in line with ILO policies, ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, administrative and financial procedures.
2. Participate in the assessment of country development plans and priorities. Contribute to the design, setting of programme objectives within the framework of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and stated priorities and outcomes. Stay abreast of the political and socio-economic situation and propose actions in response to new and emerging operational challenges.
3. Ensure operational coordination of project implementation, monitor conditions set out in the project document, budget, grant agreement, and align with the FMPT regional project. Responsible for the effective management of funds allocated to national activities within the project and facilitate coordination with the donor.
4. Initiate, sustain and guide cooperation with key partners in Ethiopia and the PUNOS, in close collaboration with relevant ILO technical specialists to ensure the performance and results of the project, and ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in planning and project implementation to achieve the desired results.
5. Develop country level work plans in consultation with tripartite partners, update project work plans on a continuous basis, and ensure their timely implementation.
6. Coordinate and monitor project activities implemented by project partners, external collaborators (consultants or service providers) and trainers , ensure the quality of outputs, by reviewing, verifying and analysing work plans, contract outputs, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
7. Regularly brief responsible government officials, employer and worker associations on project status.
8. Consult with PUNOS, bilateral donors and NGOs whose mandates and programmes are similar to the project, ensure regular flow of information on the status of the activities planned and implemented between the ILO-Country Office, the ILO project team, the relevant Decent Work Teams, and HQ. This will include accurate implementation, performance, risk and financial monitoring, including reporting on project linked CPOs in collaboration with the regional labour migration specialist.
9. Coordinate the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, multi-stakeholder consultations, training sessions and meetings in collaboration with the technical support of experts and represent the project in various meetings, organize project management meetings, draft notes and solicit comments from relevant project partners.
10. Implement the reporting, monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the outcomes and outputs set out in the project document and monitor progress on a continuous basis.  Implement the communications strategy ensuring: visibility of project’s results, dissemination of project information through publications and press releases, and good communication with all partners.
11. Present progress updates regularly including at project management and Steering Committee meetings, ensure regular and timely reporting of project activities, results and indicators, prepare, and validate project progress reports taking into consideration inputs from the project team.
12. Organize and conduct technical missions in target regions, guide and advise national and international experts on site and remotely, ensure the proper and effective use of project resources.
13. Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor within the framework of his/her competence.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies and or a relevant field.
 

Experience

At least two years of relevant professional experience, preferably in labour migration issues and statistics  including experience working with officials of ministries of labour, foreign affairs, social partners and migration institutions and associations. Experience in managing or implementing ILO DC

Languages

Excellent command of English (written and spoken) and good knowledge of the local language, Amharic would be an added advantage.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position: Customer Orientation, Communications, Collaboration

Technical competencies

• Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles, concepts, and understanding of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation). Demonstrated ability to incorporate gender analysis into project implementation.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the program’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for program development and resource mobilisation.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice. Political awareness and understanding of policy debates and developments in the area of migration and labour migration. Good knowledge of national counterparts, development partners as well as international organizations.
• Proven ability in working with minimal supervision as well as remote capacity project management (project planning and management of financial and monitoring procedures).
• Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff and consultants working for the project
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders such as government officials, representatives of workers’ and employers' organizations, representative(s) of civil society, and academics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Knowledge of the regulations and procedures of the ILO and/or other UN entities would be an asset.
• Excellent time management, planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to write progress reports for the implementation of the project in a concise and timely manner.
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills
  • Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications
  • Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.