National project Officer- Skills Development (NOB)-Fixed Term

1. Introduction

Large mixed migration movements continue to top the global political agenda, as reflected in the 2016 UN New York Declaration, and remain at the forefront of concerns, discussions and collaboration across the multilateral system and beyond. These movements create considerable challenges for countries of first asylum, transit and destination, as well as countries of origin, including through impact on socio-economic environments, such as labour markets of host countries, particularly where these may have already been under pressure and there is high unemployment. The majority of refugee populations are hosted by low- and middle-income countries. As displacement has become increasingly protracted, responses are becoming more focused on durable solutions to support more dignified, inclusive and comprehensive programmes for refugees and the communities that host them to facilitate self-reliance and empowerment and strengthen social cohesion. It is paralleled by regional and country-level efforts in several areas, including in the Middle East and North Africa region and in the Horn of Africa.

In this context, the Government of the Netherlands has launched a new partnership initiative - the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme (hereinafter referred to as the “programme”) – built on the combined strengths, experience and values of specific development and humanitarian organizations to develop a new paradigm in responding to forced displacement crises. The partners include: the Government of the Netherlands, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the ILO, the UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Bank. The programme aims to help transform the way governments and other stakeholders, including the private sector, respond to forced displacement crises – and in particular: (1) to enhance the enabling environment for the socio-economic inclusion of forcibly displaced persons (to mitigate their plight during years of exile and to best prepare them for their return); (2) to enhance access to education and child protection for vulnerable children on the move; and (3) to strengthen the resilience of host communities through inclusive socio-economic development that also benefits forcibly displaced persons.

The programme will be grounded on results-based and country-led approaches (“bottom up”) in two identified regions: MENA, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, and the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan. It aims to accelerate efforts to find sustainable solutions for countries confronted with large influxes of refugees. It will also aim to develop and implement evidence-based solutions, tailored to each context – as well as to test, and learn from, innovative operational solutions, including improving the availability, collection and use of data and evidence.

The overall ILO’s vision within the programme is to strengthen decent work in countries impacted by forced displacement to mitigate stress factors at all levels and support inclusive socio-economic enablers for access to labour markets and empowerment of host communities and of forcibly displaced populations.

The ILO will bring to the programme significant expertise and experience in supporting enabling environments to underpin inclusive socio-economic growth and decent work, strengthen labour markets and promote access to improved working conditions and fundamental rights at work, including through the involvement of its tripartite national constituents The ILO will stimulate labour market demand and immediate job creation through employment-intensive investment, local economic and business development and promotion of specific value chains and market systems.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Skills Development Officer will support the Programme Manager in Ethiopia in the specified technical areas across the ILO country programme in the context of the Partnership in Ethiopia. S/he will ensure that the objectives stated in the programme documents are attained at field level, within the stated timeframe and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO and the programme's financial and operating procedures.

2. Reporting lines

Under overall guidance of the Director of the ILO/CO–Addis Ababa, the National Project Officer will report directly to the Programme Manager in Ethiopia for all operational, technical and administrative issues to ensure delivery of technical-related outputs and overall project implementation. S/he will also receive additional technical support and supervision from the Regional Technical Specialist for Skills and Employment based in ILO Addis Ababa.

3. Main duties and responsibilities

1. In coordination with the Programme Manager, analyse economic and labour market trends and employment priorities in host communities and refugees’ settlements in order to help align skills development interventions of the project with the broader policy frameworks and employment creation potentials.
2. Support effective implementation of the programme through the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring 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 the PM and ILO CO-Addis.
3. Support the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the programme, in accordance with ILO rules and regulations.
4. Provide support to relevant government ministries, ILO social partners and other key national and international partners, in close collaboration with the PM, ILO CO-Addis, DWT Cairo and HQ units as relevant and within the context of the Decent Work Country Programme.
5. Support efforts to strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with government ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, other development organizations, target groups and donors in the planning and implementation of programme activities.
6. Provide inputs in the design and support for capacity building of project partners to facilitate knowledge, awareness and smoother implementation of skills development programmes and initiatives.
7. Initiate and maintain partnerships with organisations working on education and training and building synergies with other skills initiatives in Ethiopia with particular focus on host communities and refuges.
8. Provide technical guidance and support in the capacity building of selected implementing partners to facilitate knowledge, awareness and smoother implementation of skills development programmes and initiatives.
9. Support the coordination of project implementation including through discussions with project implementing partners, field visits, development and analysis of progress reports, and participation in reviews and evaluations determining targets delivery
10. Provide technical inputs in drafting plans, curriculum, tools, manuals, and other training materials for use by the project, especially related to skills development and recognition.
11. Support efforts as required and in consultation with the PM to ensure the meaningful engagement of the ILO in areas of planning, implementation and follow-up to the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), including participation in and contribution to relevant working groups, committees, forums and networks relating to these initiatives and strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with the Refugee Affairs Secretariat and UNHCR in line with the ILO-UNHCR MOU and joint action plan and its follow-up.
12. In consultation with the PM, support efforts to develop information databases covering programme activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programmes.
13. Identify training needs of partners and, in consultation with the PM, organize and deliver training workshops for tripartite partners, relevant UN agencies and target groups as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.
14. Representation of the ILO at meetings related to the project as well as with other UN agencies (including UNDAF processes), donors field visits and thematic donor meetings, county level as well as Sector meetings of tripartite partners.
15. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Programme Manager.

4. Qualifications’ requirements:

Education :First-level University degree (BA or equivalent) in development, business management, social science, economics, labour, technical and vocational education or a related discipline/field.

Experience

At least three years’ experience in the area of skills development, project design, management and implementation. Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures.

Experience working with the United Nations, ministries of labour or other government ministries, departments and agencies, would be an added advantage, as would experience of working in crisis and refugee settings.

Languages

Excellent knowledge and command of English and Somali language.

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.
• Good knowledge of the market systems approach and entrepreneurship promotion tools
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability 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 promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Excellent computer/information application skills, including word processing, excel, power point etc.
• 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 challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Good knowledge of ILO programme and budget, project formulation and evaluation techniques and practices as well as knowledge of ILO social partners is essential.

To apply, please visit https://jobs.ilo.org/job-invite/10322/. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.