Senior Programme Officer

Background

The Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives is responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the ILO Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, including building partnerships with Line Ministries and key stake holders. The Country Office works closely with the ILO’s tripartite constituents, the Government of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, and other line Ministries, workers’ organizations, employers’ organizations, UN agencies and other development partners. 

All ILO activities in Sri Lanka and the Maldives are implemented in close collaboration with the tripartite constituents within the framework of the agreed Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) jointly formulated by the ILO and its constituents in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the UNSDF, and national policy frameworks. 

The ILO’s means of action for implementation of the DWCP are technical advisory services/assistance, research and knowledge to influence policy and inspire action, implementation of demonstration pilots, technical support and knowledge sharing in relation to implementation of major labour related initiatives by the government, strengthening the capacities of the constituents through fostering partnerships, and training. 

The Country Office draws additional technical support from its network of internal and external experts in country and from a pool of specialists in the ILOs Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWT) in New Delhi and in Bangkok, the Regional Office in Bangkok, technical departments in Headquarters in Geneva and the International Training Centre in Turin.

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). 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the ILO Country Office, the Programme Officer will collaborate with the constituents in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Decent Work Country Programme for Sri Lanka. She/he will be responsible for the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of outcomes/outputs under the Decent Work Country Programme. The Programme Officer will undertake the following 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.

Minimum Requirements

Education

First-level university degree or equivalent experience in economics, public policy, law, sociology, development studies, or other relevant social science. 

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

Knowledge and Competencies (technical/behavioural)

•    Strong knowledge of ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and associated issues
•    Strong knowledge of national and state policies and laws
•    Strong knowledge and skills on results-based management
•    Experience in programme design and implementation including budget, project administration, monitoring and evaluation
•    Excellent analytical skills and ability to guide researchers
•    Good knowledge of the role and experience in operations of UN System activities
•    Ability to conceptualize complex issues and present them in simple, easy to understand format and text
•    Ability to prepare technical reports, project documents and technical briefing note
•    Good drafting skills
•    Good communication, presentation and negotiation skills, and appreciation of the tripartite structure and priorities of the ILO.
•    Good computer application skills.
•    Strong organizational skills, quality orientation and time management
•    Ability to lead team as well as function as a member of a team. Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
•    High standard of integrity, professionalism, personal discipline and impartiality.
•    Ability to work in a multicultural environment with gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitude.