Global Programme Coordinator

Introduction

The Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work programme, funded by SECO and NORAD, will operate in Ghana, South Africa and Viet Nam.  The project will address productivity and decent work deficits in small and medium enterpries by working across the macro (policy), meso (sector) and micro (enterprise) levels, building on evidence-based policy and market systems analyses. The project will focus on achieving lasting change by working closely with local productivity stakeholders and national tripartite stakeholders and will be implemented by project teams based in each country. 

The SCORE Programme, also funded by SECO and NORAD, will enter into a final consolidation phase where the sustainabilty of the delivery of SCORE Training will be ensured in Tunisia, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Bolivia, while the SCORE Certified Training network in newly closed countries (China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Colombia, Peru, Ghana and South Africa), will be supported the in the first 2 years to ensure sustainability of the installed certified training network.

Both the SCORE programme and the Productivity Ecosystem are part of the Small and Medium Enterprises Unit (SME) of the ILO’s Enterprises Department (ENTERPRISES). In the case of the Productivity Ecosystem, the project is a joint-venture with the EMPLOYMENT Department.  The ILO will oversee these two projects from the HQ to maximize collaboration and knowledge sharing across the global platform. 

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, Productivity Ecosystem and SCORE Program, the Global Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the Productivity Ecosystem and SCORE programme implementation and provide technical advisory support to Productivity Ecosystem and SCORE Programme national teams. The incumbent will ensure that the planned objectives are attained within the stated time frame and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO and the Programmes’ financial and operating procedures. The incumbent will provide technical support and coordinate the work of the Productivity Ecosystem Country Teams and SCORE’s National Project Coordinators (NPCs). The incumbent will ensure coherence and knowledge sharing between the two projects.
 

Reporting lines: The position is located in the ILO Headquarters and will report to the Head of the SME Unit. They will work in close collaboration with the Employment Policy Department.  The Global Programme Coordinator will technically supervise the Productivity Ecosystems and SCORE Team in the HQ and in the field. The incumbent will be responsible for coordination and communication with all of the relevant country programme units and directors. 
 

Description of Duties

The Global Programme Coordinator is overall responsible for the achievement of the project’s planned outputs within the resources provided. The incumbent’s main duties and responsibilities comprise the following: 

1. Ensure effective implementation of the Project/Program through: the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Deliveries and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and the administrative and financial procedures. This includes overseeing and providing advice to the preparation of the programme’s rolling country work plans and budgets as well as ensuring the establishment and functioning of a finance and administration system, a substantive Monitoring and Evaluation system, and an impact assessment system.
2. Support the global and country teams in conducting evidence-based analysis on policy, market systems, and value chains and support the development and implementation of a sustainable intervention strategy. Support the global and national teams to identify and contract with national and international subject specialists to ensure that capacity building and technical guidance is provided as required to the direct and ultimate beneficiaries in a manner that promotes sustainability, local ownership, and scale. 
3. Conduct training seminars, workshops and technical meetings and the national and international level.
4. Provide relevant technical guidance and assistance to the country and global staff and ensure the availability of the required specialized international technical expertise for the development of a knowledge sharing across countries
5. Support country and national staff in the development of agreements with service providers that regulate the support the programme will provide in terms of tools, capacity and market development, as well as the implementation of such agreements.
6. Provide technical supervision of SCORE and Productivity Ecosystems staff in the HQ and in the field.
7. Participate in and report to the various global programme steering mechanisms, and if necessary make recommendations for changes in the project strategy and approaches. This includes preparing overall project reports based on country project reports.
8. Develop and maintain external relations with the donor and other global stakeholders.
9. Ensure coordination of activities within the project, maximum sharing of information and experiences between the countries, and building on synergies
10. Coordinate the documentation of good practices and lessons learnt, and present the programme’s experience and good practices at regional and international forums. 
11. Support the ILO to respond to requests from constituents for technical assistance on productivity and working conditions as well as good workplace practices and competitiveness among SMEs. 
12. Perform any other related duties required for the programme’s satisfactory progress and delivery.  

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree with relevant experience in economics, management, social science or a related field. Master’s degree preferably in business and/or economics.

Experience

At least 7 years of relevant experience of which at least 3 years in international development with focus on business development, productivity and working conditions. Broad knowledge of and international experience in small and medium enterprise development, market systems development and with employment and productivity policies. Work experience with the ILO is an asset.

Languages

Fluent written and spoken English. Good knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Good knowledge of project formulation and evaluation techniques and practices. 
• Ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for the formulation and evaluation of polices related to SME development and productivity. 
• Excellent analytical skills. 
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/program’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for program development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings.
• Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and publications of high quality and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments, social partners and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.