Technical Expert, LMIS-SKILLS (part-time 50%)

Introduction

The position is part of the development cooperation project “Strengthening Labour Market Information Systems in ASEAN for Better Skills and Employment Policies” funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and delivered by the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

This development cooperation project aims to support ILO's regional effort to assist on the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work and its Roadmap (2020). With a focus on labour market information for skills anticipation and development, this project is linked with the Senior Labour Officials Meeting's Working Group (SLOM-WG) Work Plan 2021-2025 under the joint leaderships of the Department of Labour and Employment of the Philippines (DOLE), Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam (MOLISA), and Ministry of Manpower of Indonesia (MOM). The project is implemented by the ILO and GIZ/RECOTVET, together with the ASEAN Secretariat.

Given the challenges and the need for building strong labour market information for skills anticipation and job creation, the project aims to support ASEAN Member States to better understand the functioning of the labour market and the impact of policies and programmes on skills and employment outcomes and decent work indicators. For this, the project aims to strengthen the capacities of ASEAN Member States to anticipate and match future skills needs through:  
•    Improved knowledge and understanding on how to develop effective labour market information for skills anticipation and job creation;
•    Evidence-based recommendations in selected thematic areas such as skills anticipation and matching with the objective to facilitate tripartite policy dialogue;
•    Provision of relevant data on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and automation on selected labour markets and in particular reskilling and upskilling needs of businesses and workers to improve skills development policies and provision; 
•    Promotion of lifelong learning policies that close gender skills gaps, including by identifying and implementing gender-responsive policies and programmes as part of COVID-19 recovery efforts;
•    Provision of guidance in the development of national action plans or strategies for improvement of the labour market information for skills anticipation and development as well as facilitate regional cooperation to develop a common ASEAN vision.

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Project objectives will be reached through a joint learning journey at a regional level with the participation of representatives of ASEAN Member States, and the technical support of ILO and GIZ experts. As part of the learning journey, the project aims to conduct several skills anticipation studies, knowledge sharing workshops and capacity building sessions with the objective to develop a set of evidence-based recommendations that facilitate regional policy dialogue whilst supporting the development of strategies for skills and jobs matching that respond to national needs and international best practices. Furthermore, the technical assistance and policy dialogue coordination of the ILO and GIZ will include guidance and recommendations on effective and gender-responsive: (a) governance of labour market information for skills anticipation processes; (b) skills-related data analysis, and; (c) institutional frameworks, arrangements and coordination networks for effective skills-related policy formulation.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the project, the Technical Expert will act as a technical lead to guide the above learning journey at the regional level by providing technical advice and close guidance on knowledge sharing and capacity building activities, research, and action planning.  The Technical Expert will be also responsible for the day-to-day coordination and management of the project implementation and provide technical advisory services to ASEAN Secretariat and Member States in coordination with GIZ/RECOTVET and ILO experts. He/she will ensure that the objectives stated in the project document are attained within the stated time frame and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO and the project's financial and operating procedures. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director of ROAP and the technical guidance and support of the Skills & Employability Specialist (DWT-Bangkok) and other relevant technical specialists. Technical guidance and support will be sought on deliverables, reporting, linkages with the work of other regional specialists and external partners, monitoring and evaluation and knowledge sharing.

Description of Duties

Project management:

•    Ensure effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programmes, and administrative and financial procedures, in consultation with the responsible field office if applicable.

•    Provide effective coordination of the project delivery in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and targeted Member States with the objective to ensure the coherence and impact of the project.

•    Responsible for the effective coordination and management of funds/budget assigned to the project. 

•    Responsible for timely reporting of the project and communication with the donor as well as regional and national partners.

•    Manage efficiently the human resources of the project including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects.

Technical leadership and advice:

•    Provide technical advice and support for the ASEAN Secretariat and Member States at a regional level in meeting the project’s overall objectives in line with the agreed results framework. 

•    Effectively seek and coordinate inputs from the relevant ILO technical units and specialists to support the project partners and facilitate synergies with the other relevant ILO, national, regional and global programmes.

•    Responsible for effective delivery of the regional level activities related to knowledge sharing, research and capacity building, and reporting on these activities.

•    Ensure gender and non-discrimination is consistently integrated in project activities and approaches across the projects.

optional section (if needed)

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

•    Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with the concerned ASEAN governments, ministries and the employers' and workers' organizations, other relevant organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.

•    Participate in technical forums, seminars and workshops as resource person to share knowledge and build capacity of target institutions.  

•    Liaise with the donor, and other UN agencies counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the project's interventions. 

•    Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project.

Knowledge management:

•    Write and disseminate project information materials in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists.

•    Ensure the development of monitoring and evaluation and information systems covering ILO technical activities covered by the project, prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of program planning and implementation, and establish coordination with concerned ILO departments and programmes.

•    Organize meetings and seminars, and develop knowledge sharing tools designed to forge partnerships, share good practices with the main stakeholders of the project. 

•    Ensure project synergy with different ILO projects and programmes implemented within the region as appropriate.

•    Effectively manage human and financial resources of the project in accordance with ILO and donor rules.

•    Maintain communication with the donor and ensure the preparation of reports as requested by the donor.

•    Any other duties requested by the responsible chief.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree with relevant experience in labour market information for skills anticipation and job creation, management, economics, or related social science field. 

Experience

At least seven years' experience in the management of technical cooperation activities in a senior level position, of which at least three years at the international level, this includes field experience in leadership role in implementation of projects, preferably managing labour market information-related projects and formulating skills and employment policies.  Specific expertise in skills and TVET system development will be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English.

Competencies

-    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/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development;
-    Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
-    Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills; 
-    Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies, and to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research;
-    Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; 
-    Ability to promote 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 to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners;
-    Should be open to and able to make changes to accommodate culture and gender differences in order to interact effectively with individuals; 
-    Proven capacity to initiate and implement technical co-operation 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 current or future job/role responsibilities;
-    Develop self-awareness and show empathy by demonstrating the qualities, traits, or attributes that contribute to the ability to effectively relate to and identify with others. 
-    Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures;
-    Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation problems and opportunities for improvement.
-    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.