National Project Coordinator - NOA (DC)

Introduction

1.   (general information about the context in which the official will work)

This position is currently advertised subject to the final confirmation of the resources being made available for this project and signing of the agreement with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The position is located in Belgrade, Serbia, being part of the ILO Decent Work Team/Country Office for Central and Eastern Europe (DWT/CO-Budapest). DWT/CO-Budapest provides technical support and guidance related to the ILO agenda in 18 countries of Central and South Eastern Europe (for more see www.ilo.org/budapest).

Following the adoption of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Law in Germany in 2021, the GIZ and the ILO have joined forces in order to provide the workers in the enterprises in Serbia belonging to the supply chains of German companies with better access to grievance mechanisms. Following the results of an analytical study of existing grievance mechanisms in Serbia the project will work with the Office of the Commissioner for Equality Protection to facilitate the distinction between discrimination at work and the breach of labour rights, while the main project emphasis will be on amicable settlement of labour disputes and the capacity-building of compliance officers in the automotive, electrical and textile industry. The project will rely on the newly developed ILO Diagnostic tool and the Manual on amicable settlement of labour disputes, as well as on the knowledge dissemination among mediators and arbiters, aiming for more consistent provision and access to amicable settlement mechanisms for the workers in target industries throughout Serbia.

The Project Manager will be responsible to ensure the timely delivery and reporting on project deliverables under all project activities – from the initial analytical study of existing grievance mechanisms in Serbia, over the piloting of the ILO Diagnostic tool and the Manual on amicable settlement of labour disputes, to the training of compliance officers in the three target industries belonging to the supply chains of German companies in Serbia. He/she will have the main role in the buildup and maintenance of close collaboration with a network of project stakeholders, primarily with the Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, the Office of Commissioner for Equality, Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and the social partners.

He/she will be in constant communication with the ILO National Coordinator (NC) for Serbia, as well as in periodical (quarterly) communication with the GIZ office in Belgrade which will provide the oversight over the project implementation.

2.    Reporting lines

The Project Manager will report to the ILO NC for Serbia as the primary supervisor and to the Director of the ILO DWT/CO Budapest as the secondary supervisor. He/she will receive technical guidance from the ILO NC for Serbia, the ILO DWT/CO Budapest specialists and from the departments of the ILO HQ in charge of the topics covered by the project. He/she will supervise and manage the work of the Project Administrative Assistant.

Description of Duties

1.    Review and analyse the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information..

2.    Work in close collaboration with the project stakeholders to keep the project annual work plan on track, as well as update the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners.

3.    Review, verify and analyze work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness and monitor the progress of Project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities. 

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

5.    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. 
6.    Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

7.    Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters.. 

8.    Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project. 

9.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the ILO NC for Serbia and the Director of the DWT/CO Budapest.
 

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in law or economics, public policies or development studies. An advanced degree on studies of labour law or economics would be a strong advantage.

Experience

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with supply chains in corporate sector and with development partners would be an asset.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of of labour law, as well as economics and/or company law. Knowledge of the policy making process in the area of alternative labour dispute settlement would be an asset.
 

Languages

Excellent knowledge of the working language of the duty station and a good knowledge of English.

Competencies

•    Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Serbia
•    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 teamwork 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
•    Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications 
•    Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.