National Project Coordinator

Introduction

‘Supporting the socio-economic reintegration of Sri Lankan Migrant Workers repatriated due to the COVID-19 outbreak (IOM-ILO collaboration)’ project has been jointly designed by the ILO and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to support the Government of Sri Lanka’s National COVID-19 Response Plan for Migrant Workers, and the Sub Policy and National Action Plan on Return and Reintegration of Migrant Workers (2015). It is also broadly linked to the UN Advisory Note on COVID-19 Socioeconomic Response (July 2020) and the UN Sustainable Development Framework (under Human Security and Socioeconomic Resilience). The ILO implements the project jointly with IOM, with the support of the Government of Japan. 

Project Objective:
By 2022, the target beneficiaries of the project will have recovered from the impact of COVID-19 and will be engaged in a sustainable livelihood in Sri Lanka or abroad. 

Key expected results from the interventions are:
•    Reduced vulnerability of returnee migrant workers through enhanced skills development for future employment opportunities
•    Improved capacity of government institutions facilitates consistent economic participation of migrant returnees

Project Outcomes:
The following two outcomes are leading the project to make sustainable socio economic reintegration of Sri Lankan migrant workers. 
•    Reduced vulnerability of returnee migrant workers through enhanced skills development for future employment opportunities
•    Improved capacity of government institutions facilitates consistent economic participation of migrant returnees

The key activities to meet the outcome are: 1. Deliver blended or online training programs in the identified qualifications/sectors using digital tools; 2. Capacitate Government Officers and CSOs to provide advisory and support services on COVID19 relief packages to returnees; and 3. Extend Employment Services, Job portal, Job Placement, and Career Guidance to returnees.

This project receives technical support from the ILO’s Decent Work Team in New Delhi and in particular the Regional Skills and Labour Migration Specialists, and is administratively managed from the ILO Country Office in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Reporting Line
The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will be responsible for timely and quality implementation of this project and delivery of its envisaged results, as part of the strategic interventions of ILO Sri Lanka’s Labour Migration Unit. The NPC is under the  overall guidance and supervision of the Director of the ILO Country Office, Colombo. 

Description of Duties

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) manages the project on behalf of the ILO and has the lead role in ensuring its timely and efficient implementation, in accordance with the project document and work plan; and as the main technical liaison for communication with stakeholders on activities, ensuring appropriate visibility for the ILO in relevant forums. The NPC will coordinate with key actors including government authorities, multi-stakeholder Labour Migration forums, and other UN agencies (especially the International Organization for Migration). The NPC will also ensure regular communication with, and quality reporting to, the Government of Japan.

•    Ensure effective implementation by providing technical, administrative and programmatic leadership; and monitoring, evaluating and reporting on delivery    in a timely manner, including the preparation of the project-monitoring plan (PMP) and system, as well as the annual work plan.

•    Provide guidance to project support staff (Programme Assistant, and Administration/Finance Assistant).

•    Serve as point of contact in the ILO Country Office for stakeholder engagement; drafting of technical and non-technical correspondence; commission and appraise knowledge products (e.g. research papers and policy briefs); developing concept notes and proposals for resource mobilisation; preparation       of talking points on Skills for Migrant Workers for the Director; notes for information and record for the Country Office; technical inputs on internal and external documents and reports; engaging in bilateral and multilateral meetings and consultations with the donors, ILO tripartite constituents, sectoral agencies and other stakeholders.

•    Maintain close cooperation and coordination with the ILO’s constituents in government, employers’ and workers’ organisations; civil society organisations (especially representing migrant workers’ interests); other UN agencies; development partners, etc. and to represent and articulate the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda in Skills and Labour Migration forums and meetings.

•    Analyse and monitor ongoing trends in Labour Migration with specific focus on  policy engagement and advocacy, especially in the context of return, repatriation and reintegration of migrant workers in line with the Sub-Policy and   National Action Plan on Return and Reintegration of Migrant Workers; the COVID-19 socio-economic response plan; and relevant framework documents of the Government of Sri Lanka.

•    Develop and maintain strong linkages with the Labour Migration Unit and Programme Unit in the Country Office, ILO Specialists based in the Decent Work Team in New Delhi, Bangkok and HQ in Geneva on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions, especially on knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, timely submission of reports and communication.

•    Coordinate and ensure synergies with other ILO national projects and the Decent Work Country Programme in Sri Lanka.

•    Undertake regular and ad-hoc visits to monitor activities of implementing partners and ensure quality delivery and compliance with ILO guidance.

•    Develop terms of reference and provide technical supervision to consultants and resource persons, while monitoring their activities and deliverables for quality and timeliness.

•    Other relevant tasks as requested by the Country Director.

Required qualifications

Education

University degree in social sciences, education, economics, law or related field.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience at the national level, preferably on skills for employment and entrepreneurship. Managerial experience an advantage. 

Technical requirements: 
Previous working experience of national-level project management and policy engagement with central government and labour market partners is essential. Familiarity with Vocational Training and Education programmes and economic reintegration of Migrant Workers will be an advantage. Demonstrated record of collaboration and networks with the Ministry of Foreign Employment, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training, the Department of Manpower and Employment; the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, trade unions’, and civil society organizations representing migrant workers is desirable.
 

Languages

Excellent written and spoken English and good knowledge of at least one national language.

Competencies

•    Good knowledge about social, economic development, including labour and employment trends in the country
•    Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
•    Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
•    Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organisations.
•    Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
•    Ability to prepare technical project reports in English.
•    Ability to facilitate policy discussion among stakeholders.
•    Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilise action to promote the sustainable economic reintegration of returnee migrant workers through skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
•    Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
•    Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
•    Ability to train and guide personnel.
•    Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
•    Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
•    Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
•    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.