ACCEL - National Project Coordinator - NOB (DC)

Introduction

The project is centrally managed by the ILO Regional Office in Africa. The ROAF has overall political and management responsibilities for the promotion of ILO principles, policies and decent work priorities in the region as well as provides strategic guidance and support to all country offices and Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs) in Africa. Furthermore, the ROAF is responsible for promoting collaboration on decent work issues with continental institutions like the African Union, African Development Bank and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The main objectives of the ILO in Africa are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

Africa’s population is rising the fastest. The pressure to provide decent work opportunities for new labour market entrants will be particularly acute in Africa. The ILO in the region has given priority to promoting employment in the rural and informal economies and underscored the need for action to tackle youth unemployment. Building the capacity of its constituents to contribute more effectively to the achievement of equitable and inclusive growth is a major urgency.

The National Project Coordinator will work on the “Accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in Africa” project. This project has the overarching goal to accelerate the elimination of child labour in Africa, through targeted actions in selected supply chains in Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda. In Uganda, the project commenced in 2019 addressing child labour in a multi-country and multi-sectoral approach, enhancing synergies and developing innovative and evidence-based solutions in contexts where more than one prominent driver of child labour coexists. The outcome of the project will go beyond the targeted countries, thus benefiting the whole region through the promotion of partnerships and knowledge sharing
 

Reporting lines

Under the direct supervision and overall responsibility of the Director of the ILO Country Office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, the National Project Coordinator will also work under the technical supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor of the Project based in the ILO Regional Office in Abidjan. 

The incumbent will also receive technical guidance from the technical specialists in FUNDAMENTALS and in other technical units in HQ concerned, in the Regional Office and in the Decent Work Team in Pretoria. S/he will also oversee the work of a few national staff in the project office in Malawi, including a national project officer, general service staff and External Collaborators.
 

Description of Duties

1.    Lead the timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Malawi component of the Project through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the Project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan.

2.    Contribute in the management of human resources including recruitment and performance management of the project personnel at national level.

3.    Oversee the development and approval process of sub-contracts, monitor the performance of sub-contractors and ensure timely implementation of sub-contracts.

4.    Identify problems, propose solutions and action and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.

5.    Provide or ensure access to legal and policy advice to the government and the social partners on issues related to the effective implementation of the fundamental principles and rights at work, with a particular emphasis on child labour.

6.    Organize training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding on fundamental principles and rights at work and child labour in particular. 

7.    Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on fundamental rights at work.

8.    Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.
 

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9.    Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical activities under the project including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project and proactively share knowledge on the subject of child labour, particularly in Malawi

10.    Represent the Project in various fora, under the guidance of the ILO Director and the CTA

11.    Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project’s components according to the project’s document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor.

12.    Ensure high-level communications to increase Project’s visibility at the national and international levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with the UN country team, and other key stakeholders to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance of the ILO Country Office in Lusaka maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole.

13.    Perform other related duties as assigned by Supervisor. 
 

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, social sciences, or related field and strong knowledge on development issues particularly in Malawi. 

Experience

At least three years of experience in project management, supervision, administration, and implementation of grant/cooperative agreement requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to the project donor) especially in the field related to child labour interventions at national level.

Languages

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

Competencies

o    Proven capacity to initiate and implement technical co-operation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skill with governments, social partners, industry associations, and mobilizing the support of international donor agencies
o    Experience in working on child labour issues in a sector-specific setting such as agriculture or garment processing, as well as in value chain issues.
o    Knowledge of area-based monitoring and referral systems, migration, labour law enforcement, education and social protection of children, 
o    Good knowledge about social, economic development, including labor and employment, trends in the country
o    Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders and ability to maintain systems within project operations.
o    Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
o    Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organizations.
o    Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
o    Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
o    Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
o    Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
o    Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
o    Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
o    Ability to train and guide personnel.
o    Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
o    Ability to work in diversified environments
o    Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
o    Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision
o    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

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.