National Project Officer (SPARK) - NOA (DC)

Introduction

Promoting decent work in the rural economy is key to eradicating poverty and ensuring that the needs of a growing global population, including persons with disabilities are met.  The ILO is partnering with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Light for the World and Processor through the project Sparking Disability Inclusive Rural Transformation to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in the rural economy.   The aim is to enable them to become fully engaged in the agricultural sector, thus tackling poverty and delivering on the commitments of the SDGs and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD )  The project uses a systemic action learning approach to enable persons with disabilities to become fully engaged in the economic activities of selected agricultural and pastoral value chains, increasing their incomes and raising awareness on the potential, aspirations and needs of persons with disabilities by their communities and other stakeholders.  

A key project objective is to support IFAD’s understanding and capacities on inclusion of persons with disabilities throughout the project cycle.  This will include capacity on disability inclusion at the level of program management and staff, partners and stakeholders, budgeting for disability inclusion and inclusive monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks.  In addition, the project will focus on creating an enabling environment for the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities.   Capacity of relevant representative bodies, such as Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), farmers and enterprises association and cooperatives, women’s organisations, indigenous peoples’ organisations, and youth associations and networks will be built to understand the needs of persons with disabilities and to advocate for change.   
 

The National Project Officer (NPO) will act as the project’s Disability Inclusion Advisor (DIA) in Malawi, where the ILO is leading on project implementation.  Their role is to support awareness raising of disability within IFAD’s implementing partners and stakeholders and to promote disability inclusion as an integral part of IFAD project design and implementation

Reporting lines

The National Project Officer will work under the overall responsibility and the direct supervision of the ILO Lusaka Country Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The NPO will be under the technical guidance of the ILO Project Office in Malawi and the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) at HQ for all technical-related outputs and overall project implementation. Additional technical support and collaboration will be coordinated with key technical units in the Decent Work Team (DWT) in Pretoria.

Description of Duties

1.    Support effective implementation of Project Spark by designing and revising project annual work plans and budgets; delivering outputs; and monitoring, reporting 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 programmes, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with CO Lusaka.

2.    Follow-up with relevant counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets. 

3.    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.

4.    Promote and facilitate disability inclusive practices through the selected IFAD projects amongst NGOs, Government actors and private sector actors. Nurture partnerships with these actors, and bring them together in learning platforms.   Provide hands on technical support in the form of training and coaching. 

5.    Train and advise different project stakeholders on disability inclusion through a pool of trained Disability Inclusion Facilitators. Strategize with and support the Facilitators to tailor their interventions to the particular needs of the IFAD project stakeholders, partner organizations and target groups.   Prepare, implement and report on the Facilitators training and other professional activities.  Ensure continuous quality and consistency of all activities of the Facilitators by monitoring, and providing continuous learning and refresher trainings.  

6.    Lead and provide input, building on principles of human centred design to training manuals and tools; pro-actively identify the need for additional training materials and tools and support their development.  

7.    Support efforts to strengthen relationships with government ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, other development organizations, target groups and donors in the planning and implementation of programme activities. 

optional section (if needed)

continued duties....

8.    In consultation with the CO-Lusaka Director and GEDI, liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the programme's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO's interventions.  On behalf of ILO, advocate for and lead on a UN appropriate Results group to facilitate exchange on disability inclusion issues and to provide strategic guidance and support for the UN System in Malawi on disability.

9.    Gather and disseminate relevant information on disability mainstreaming; document lessons learned, case studies and stories of change. 

10.    Support the monitoring and evaluation of the programme’s activities, with GEDI and relevant national and international stakeholders, CO Lusaka, the DWT in Pretoria, and technical specialists in HQ, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO country and action programmes.

11.    Support efforts to prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the project implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programmes.

12.    Identify and document lessons learned and contribute to knowledge management activities within the ILO to expand and enhance learning on access of persons with disabilities to decent work and write and disseminate information on programme materials.

13.     Perform any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, public policies, development studies or a relevant field.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience in implementation disability projects including experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and/or capacity strengthening, working with local stakeholders, 

Proven experience in working effectively with government institutions and other stakeholders in charge of policy making and with development partners.  High level of exposure to barriers that persons with disabilities face and practical solutions to overcome those barriers, either through life experience or through previous work experience. Demonstrated expertise in implementation of Livelihoods and Disability inclusion is desired.

Languages

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

Competencies

-    Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Malawi
-    Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations 
-    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
-    Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
-    Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
-    Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative
-    Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
-    Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline
-       Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviours and attitudes.
-    Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications 
-    Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy. 

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.
 

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.