RB -Senior Programme Officer - NOB

Organizational Setting

This position is located in Lusaka, Zambia which will work unit in the Country Office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique (CO - Lusaka).

The Programming unit provides technical and administrative support in the aspects of DC projects under CO-Lusaka. In addition, this work unit provides linkage with the constituents for effective response on various technical assistance portfolios not limited to the aforementioned projects but among others such as Labour Market Information, employment intensive works, gender mainstreaming, Labour administration, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), pro-employment budgeting and support to strategic positioning of social partners for effective and representative support to their membership. In addition, the Programme Unit provides strategic programmatic and administrative support to all the Development Cooperation (DC) programmes including inter alia; processing Budget Revisions/Rephasals, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting, Implementation Planning including ensuring alignment between DC projects’ Country Programme Outcomes and the Programme and Budget as well as Country Development Frameworks or priorities. In addition, the PU is also responsible for conducting assessments and designing new projects as well as capturing and updating project information in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).

In view of the above, the main objective of this role is to assist in providing strategic technical and administrative support to all DC projects in the three (3) locations (Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique) of the Country Office. The position besides the day-to-day work will also directly supervise a Senior Programme Assistant.
 

Main Purpose

As a team member, the incumbent provides comprehensive and professional services in the design, delivery and administration of a wide range of programming activities. These services cover development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programmes and projects in a multiplicity of technical areas. Work involves providing professional programming services for the formulation and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) to strengthen national capacity and activities in ILO mandated areas. Services are delivered in an efficient, effective and client-oriented manner and include the use of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Work is governed by established rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines. The incumbent applies and plays a key role in promoting the principles of results-based management (RBM).

The position works under the supervision of ILO Country Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The incumbent has a high degree of independence in completing work assignments. Supervision received is focused on the overall delivery of results impacting the Office.

Working Relationships

Internal contacts are with staff and managers in field offices, project locations and headquarters to build and maintain effective working relationships, exchange information and gain agreement on programming related issues. The incumbent also provides guidance on results-based management (RBM) and applicable standards. The incumbent regularly liaises with and receives guidance from the Regional Programming Unit.

External contacts are primarily with government offices, employers’ and workers’  organizations, United Nations (UN) agencies and other international organizations and donors to maintain effective working relationships and discuss project initiatives and areas for cooperation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide substantial professional programming inputs for the formulation and implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) framework, ensuring alignment with regional and global strategic priorities. Monitor the status of the Office’s work programme and measure and report on performance, including through the strategic use of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Monitor and verify accuracy of programming data.
2. Monitor and assess country development plans and priorities and make proposals to support the design and setting of objectives within the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) framework and stated priorities and outcomes. Stay abreast of the political and socio-economic situation and propose actions in response to new and emerging operational challenges.
3. In cooperation with technical specialists, draft substantive inputs for programme framework documents, project proposals, reports and other documents for monitoring and reporting purposes. Initiate, plan and undertake missions to monitor, assess and report on programme implementation and propose corrective action.  Assist with the planning and organization of capacity building activities.
4. Oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff in concerned programming areas. Supervise staff as applicable. Conduct training in relevant programming areas and provide briefings and induction to new staff.
5. Participate in negotiations with key stakeholders to discuss project definition, scope and funding requirements. Prepare and/or review drafts of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in cooperation with implementing partners and technical specialists, ensuring consistency with requirements and timelines for project implementation.
6. Seek opportunities to build and enhance partnerships with a range of stakeholders. Participate in resource mobilization activities. Organize and participate in meetings to facilitate collaboration between the different actors. Participate in interagency fora and meetings with a view to identifying areas for joint activities.
7. Keep abreast of changes to applicable standards and best practices. Share knowledge and provide guidance to staff.
8. Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of work methods and processes and make recommendations for improvements. Liaise closely with staff and managers to ensure effective and smooth service design and delivery, recommending improvements on interrelated processes.
9. Provide inputs to support the Office’s communication activities.
10. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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Minimum Requirements

Education

University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Development studies or a field relevant to the job.

Experience

Minimum of three years of professional work experience in programme and/or project planning, monitoring, implementation and evaluation activities. Experience in working with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, in particular strategic management/programming modules.

Languages

Excellent command of an official language English.  Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization or an official national language of the duty station.

Knowledge and Competencies (technical/behavioural)

Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts.
Good knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
Good knowledge of resource mobilization.
Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities.
Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:

Research and analytical skills.
Drafting skills.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
Ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.