Skills Technical Officer

Introduction

Introduction: general information about the context in which the official will work / background on the project:

In 2018, the Government of the Netherlands joined forces with ILO, UNICEF, UNHCR, the World Bank (WB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) through a partnership with the aim of bringing about a paradigm shift towards a development approach on forced displacement and refugee crises by focusing on nexuses between education, employment, and protection (the three pillars of the partnership). The Partnership to Improve Prospects for Forcibly Displaced Persons and Host Communities (PROSPECTS) is being implemented in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Horn of Africa, including in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. Through this partnership, the ILO brings significant expertise and experience in supporting enabling environments to underpin inclusive socio-economic growth and decent work, strengthen labor markets and promote access to improved working conditions, fundamental rights at work and social protection

The first pillar of the partnership aims to increase the number of forcibly displaced and host community members with access to quality education and training. As a key technical agency in skills development, the ILO plays a central role in improving employability and the transition to the work force through skills interventions. In Jordan, this builds on years of experience adapting on-the-job-training, recognition of prior learning and certifications to different sectors and occupations where refugees and host communities are employed, while in Iraq adaptation of existing skills trainings is in its infancy for ILO and in need of greater support.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the PROSPECTS Project, the PROSPECTS Skills Technical Officer for Jordan and Iraq will be responsible for direct technical support to the above project and contribute to the expected outcomes. The incumbent will assist in promoting ILO policies in the project-related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda. S/He will take the lead on skills related activities in both Jordan and Iraq. 

Reporting lines:
The incumbent will directly report to Prospects Regional Chief Technical Adviser (Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq). They will receive technical backstopping from the Senior Skills and Employability Specialist, working in close collaboration with other members of the PROSPECTS Jordan and Iraq teams; and coordinating with Skills teams in other projects.

Description of Duties

• Assist the CTA in the implementation of the project by providing technical inputs, planning, monitoring and evaluation of skills project activities in Jordan and Iraq.  Ensure conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and Office procedures and practices.
• Conduct skills research for regional and country analyses, reports and publications related to the project and prepare discussion notes.
• Prepare training materials and conduct training courses and workshops, in particular related to
• market assessment and competency-based training, in order to support TVET providers in
• designing and implementing improved skills training to youth.
• Provide mentoring and coaching technical advice as well as other technical assistance as required to national institutions and project partners in Jordan and Iraq , in particular related to competency-based training and other capacity building efforts to support TVET providers in designing and implementing improved skills training, in line with international labour standards, as envisaged in the education pillar of the Partnership
• Provide technical support and advisory services to project partners in designing and conducting labour market assessments, tracer studies and employers’ satisfaction surveys. Support the analysis of assessments and studies conducted by the projects, and design evidence based
• recommendations for concrete interventions.
• Under the guidance of the PROSPECTS CTA, maintain close liaison with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, Prospects partners and other UN/non-governmental organizations, to discuss matters and follow up on skills activities under Prospects. Represent ILO Prospects Arab States at international, regional and national as needed.
• Co-ordinate, promote linkages, complementarities and consistency in approach and share best practices and lessons learnt with other relevant ILO skills projects/programs in Jordan and Iraq, as well as with HQ and external stakeholders.
• Provide input to concept notes and proposals for Jordan and Iraq, in response to calls for proposals under Prospects opportunity fund and other funding opportunities.
• Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in social sciences economics, education, business administration, international relations or international law, with demonstrated expertise in the relevant technical field.
 

Experience

• At least five years of relevant professional experience, including three years at the international level, with a focus on skills development, vocational training, and/or labour market assessments. Prior experience in skills development in Jordan and /or Iraq is an advantage.
• Experience in project design and implementation at the field level is also a requirement..
• Proven experience in coordinating with the government, NGOs and UN agencies.
• Proven experience in planning and facilitating training workshops and seminars, including
• serving as a trainer.
• Experience in working with the ILO will be an asset. Familiarity with ILO policies and
• procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and education
• would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English (oral and writing skills). Knowledge of Arabic is a major advantage.

Competencies

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
• Excellent knowledge of competency-based training standards. Ability to mentor and coach vocational training providers
• Ability 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.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work independently/demonstrating initiative as well as in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with people with diplomacy and discretion.