Project Technical Officer - P3

Introduction

The ILO seeks to recruit the services of a Project Technical Officer for the implementation of the ILO Project on “Improved Labour Migration Governance in East Africa” financed by the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Officer (FCDO). 

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacities of countries in East Africa to govern labour migration by using evidence-based policies, enhancing migrant workers’ qualifications and skills, and actively engaging the social partners for improved development outcomes. The project intends to build on what has already been implemented by national stakeholders and donors’ initiatives. This approach will seek synergies and complementarities in interventions, avoiding overlapping and duplication, thus improving the sustainability of the proposed activities. 

The position is located in the Labour Migration Branch (MIGRANT) of the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY). WORKQUALITY brings together ILO's technical expertise in the areas of economic and labour market analysis, working conditions, labour relations and collective bargaining, labour migration, disability inclusion, gender and ethnic/racial equality, HIV/AIDS in the workplace, and policy integration.

The Labour Migration Branch has the primary responsibility within the Office for the formulation and implementation of the Organization's policies and decisions concerning migrant workers, as well as for the design, the implementation and the evaluation of national migration policies, These are carried out in accordance with the ILO Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration, the provisions of Conventions Nos 97, 143, Recommendations Nos 86 and 151, and of other relevant international labour standards, and ILO’s Outcome 9 of the Programme and Budget on Fair and effective international labour migration and mobility. 

MIGRANT undertakes analytical work on the economic, employment and social aspects of international migration with an emphasis on its implications for development, labour markets and workers protection; provides related technical advisory services to its constituents and other concerned stakeholders; carries out technical cooperation activities; organizes policy forums and meetings on labour migration issues; and publishes and disseminates information and good practices.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Improved Labour Migration Governance in East Africa Project, the Project Technical Officer will be responsible for providing direct technical support to the above project and contribute to the expected outcomes. S/he will closely work with the ILO Project Team in Addis Ababa, external collaborators and partners in the implementation of the activities of the project. The incumbent will assist in promoting ILO policies in the project-related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
 

Description of Duties

Under the overall responsibility of the Chief of ILO MIGRANT, the incumbent will work under direct supervision of the ILO MIGRANT labour economist and will receive technical guidance from the project’s Chief Technical Advisor (CTA). S/he will be responsible for the following responsibilities:  

1.    Assist the ILO Labour Economist and the Project CTA in the implementation of the project by providing technical inputs, planning, monitoring and evaluation of project activities related to the design conceptually and contribute to the digital development a multi-country prototype platform for knowledge sharing and dialogue on skills and migration issues, allowing for exchange of knowledge, good practices and policy approaches among the East Africa and other geographical regions, reaching out to key stakeholders: governments, employers, and workers’ organizations. 

2.    Conduct research and integrate technical inputs on labour migration and skills (including forecasting of labour demand, skills anticipation, skills matching, recognition and development) for the design of the multi-country platform, and virtual communities of practice.

3.    Monitor, coordinate and guide activities carried out by external collaborators and service providers, and implementing partners and come up with innovative ways of doing things to ensure timely delivering the project activities and attainment of project objectives.

4.    Conduct an overview of existing platform and virtual communities of practice in Africa and elsewhere, covering migration and skills issues to ensure synergies and avoid duplications.

5.    Develop the structure of the multi-multicounty platform and work closely with the IT developer realise the prototype. 

6.    Support in drafting of periodic reports, activity reports, project briefing notes and other ad-hoc reports on the progress of project, in line with the logical framework and M&E plan of the project and requirements of the ILO and the donor, FCDO.

7.    Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor, maintain close liaison with the AUC during the platform prototype development.

8.    Co-ordinate, promote linkages and share best practices and lessons learnt with other relevant ILO projects/programs, ILO units and external stakeholders.

9.    Undertake missions in relation to project implementation.

10.    Undertake other duties as required.
 

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics or related social sciences, with a specialization in migration. Having a PhD would be an advantage.

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience, including three years at the international level. Knowledge and experience with education and training systems, in particular skills anticipation, matching, recognition and development in the context of labour migration would be key. Demonstrated experience through publications/projects in quantitative research in skills and labour migration is required. Knowledge of East Africa would be a distinct advantage, as well as experience with creating content for digital platforms. 

Languages

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of at least one other official ILO language would be an 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 analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.

-    Good computer skills.

-    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.