National Project Officer- NOA (DC)

Introduction

The International Labour Organization, Country Office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique seeks to recruit a National Project Officer (NPO) to lead project activities under the partnership between the ILO and the Government of Norway on skills development for 2018-19. 

As part of ILO’s national response, a Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong learning is set up to address those challenges, promote innovations and support the design and implementation of skills and lifelong learning ecosystems and programmes in selected target countries, under a coordinated global framework. The objective of the programme is to provide support to ILO constituents in order to ensure businesses and individuals have a fair access to skills development systems that reflect the adaptation to the changing world of work. More specifically, the Programme will work as an accelerator in the context of the future of work, and as a vehicle to deliver outputs of the Programme and Budget for the Biennium 2020-2021 and beyond.

Within the framework of the Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning, the incumbent will be responsible for the Malawi component of the Programme. Strengthening, diversifying and increasing the competitiveness of its export sectors is a high priority for Malawi’s development. It is also a high priority to strengthen education and skills development in support of socio-economic and industrial development. The Malawi component of the Programme aims to enable Malawi in addressing these priorities at policy level, through social dialogue and coordinated actions among national stakeholders and sector partners. .

Reporting lines

Under the overall responsibility of the Country Director of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, the National Project Officer (NPO) will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator (NPC). Based in Lilongwe, Malawi, the official will closely work with the Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning team, especially the Programme and Operations Officer for Africa and under the coordination guidance of the CTA managing the ILO-Norway Programme Cooperation Agreement.  S/he will receive technical assistance of the Skills and Lifelong Learning Specialist in DWT Pretoria, as well as the technical guidance of the relevant specialists in ILO SKILLS. S/he will contribute to the implementation and the operational coordination of the project.

Description of Duties

1.    Work in close collaboration with key partners to design and revise Project annual work-plans, budget proposals, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and a risk management framework, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners. 

2.    Monitor the progress of project and activities implementation and prepare briefs, background information, technical reports, progress and final reports including statistical data, according to ILO, project and donor rules, ensuring clarity, consistency and completeness, for timely submission to the Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning in ILO SKILLS. 

3.    Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets, and ensure the quality of outputs. 

4.    Contribute to proposals for programme/project development and serve as national programme advisor to the Directorate and draft portions of programme and budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, country strategy papers, objectives, project reviews and evaluation.

5.    Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions. 

6.    Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the project when attending these gatherings alone. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

7.    Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate into local language official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials.

8.    Develop a catalogue of national and international experts to be recruited as consultants and resource persons for project related activities. 

9.    Develop and implement a communications strategy ensuring: visibility of Project’s results, dissemination of Project information through publications and press releases, documentation of lessons learned, and good communication with all partners. 

10.    Perform any other duties as may be assigned by Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in Development Studies, Social Science, Vocational training or any other related field and strong knowledge on development issues particularly in Malawi.

Experience

At least two years’ experience in implementing developmental cooperation projects on Skills Development. Experience in the field of Skills for trade and private sector growth will be an advantage. Experience working with other ILO Projects is highly desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of English and a good working knowledge of another local language of the duty station.

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.

Technical competencies

    Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in specific Malawi
    Ability to interpret project background history and to identify and analyse problems with project implementation
    Ability to communicate effectively
    Knowledge of ILO financial rules and regulations is an additional asset.
    Ability to clarify information; ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team and ability to deal with people with diplomacy. Strong project management experience;
    Good knowledge of project formulation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices. 
    Ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for the formulation, administration and evaluation of projects
    Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise
    Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills and writing skills
    Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
    Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
    Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline
    Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications 
    Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy. 
    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable but not selected  for this position can also be offered to be assigned on another temporary position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position.