Project Manager - Prospects

Grade: P4

Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/P/2023/09 Publication date: 07 December 2023 Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 08 January 2024

Job ID: 11486 Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut Location: Erbil Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: One year as of 1 February, 2024

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Introduction

The ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crises, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. The partnership spans eight countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda.

The PROSPECTS partnership in Iraq supports the national agenda of promoting inclusion and socio-economic development of forcibly displaced and host communities, whilst working closely with local partners to identify, maximize, and realize opportunities on the ground. While interventions are implemented in the governorates of Dohuk and Ninawah, the PROSPECTS partners work collaboratively on institutional capacity building and systems strengthening at the national level.

ILO’s efforts in this partnership focus on supporting Iraqi host communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as Syrian refugees to access more and better livelihoods and decent job opportunities. It is doing so through an integrated approach, which includes supporting market-driven skills training, improving public employment services, implementing labour intensive infrastructure projects; and promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. A second phase of the partnership will start in January 2024 and last until end 2027, building on the results and lessons learned and maximizing impact.

The ILO interventions with the PROSPECTS programme are aligned with the ILO’s Decent Work Country Programme in Iraq agreed with the tripartite constituents and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and includes cooperation with the PROSPECTS partners.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be based in the ILO office in Erbil with frequent travel to the targeted governorates under PROSPECTS. S/he will report to the ILO Iraq Country Coordinator based in Baghdad; and will undertake missions to Baghdad for meetings with constituents, partners, and for coordination with other ILO project teams based in Baghdad, as needed. The technical reporting line will be to the Regional Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) for the PROSPECTS programme in the Arab States covering Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon based in Beirut, who will also be providing overall technical and policy guidance, including on the engagement with the PROSPECTS partners, to ensure regional coherence of the PROSPECTS programme in the Arab States.

Description of Duties

1. Conduct, plan, develop and coordinate the implementation of the PROSPECTS Iraq programme as part of the wider ILO Decent Work Country programme in Iraq, through: timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. Responsible for the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project based on a workplan agreed on with the Regional PROSPECTS CTA.

3. Ensure effective and timely reporting of technical activities covered under PROPSECTS Iraq.

4. Manage efficiently the human resources of PROSPECTS Iraq team, including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the work of officials working under the project.

5. Interact with all relevant stakeholders, PROSPECTS partners and donors at national level and establish synergies regarding project activities with other interventions as part of the UNSDCF for Iraq.

6. Coordinate and to the extent feasible ensure joint delivery of outputs in cooperation with other ILO projects and interventions under the Iraq DWCP.

7. Support the design, development, and presentation of proposals for new projects, and contribute to further resource mobilization in consultation with the Iraq Country Coordinator, Regional PROSPECTS CTA, other responsible ILO officials at the Regional Office in Beirut and at the ILO Office in Iraq.

Description of Duties (continued)

8. Review, analyse and interpret economic, social and political trends in Iraq. Provide inputs related to trends or developments for which further research and programme development work is needed to further promote decent work and social justice for all within the humanitarian development nexus.

9. Liaise with ILO constituents and ensure their involvement in project implementation and relevant consultations in coordination and communication with the ILO Iraq Country Coordinator, Regional PROSPECTS CTA, and the respective DWT specialists.

10. Increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the project's interventions.

11. Prepare and conduct capacity development seminars, workshops and technical meetings with employers, trade unions, and other relevant stakeholders.

12. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the direct supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, engineering, development studies, social sciences, social finance, management, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant experience in the management of development cooperation activities, of which at least three years at the international level. This includes field experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects, preferably in the fields of forced displacement. At least four years demonstrated expertise in senior managerial positions, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.

Technical expertise in at least one of these fields is required: employment services, Employment Intensive Investment Programmes (EIIP), enterprise development, skills development, and green economy.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, including experience in managing large and complex development cooperation projects would be an advantage, as would be work experience in the context of the Arab region.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be a strong advantage.

Competencies

Professionalism: Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Experience in mentoring staff and in coordinating their work.

Accountability: takes ownership of all responsibilities and commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.

Leadership: serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; demonstrate knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Vision: identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks clearly communicates links between the organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Competencies (continued)

Behavioural competencies:

Ability to prioritize work and meet strict deadlines. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to work in a multicultural environment. Gender-sensitive behaviour and attitude. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners. Ability to negotiate. Ability to take initiatives.

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.

Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.

Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings.

Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.

Competencies (continued)

Behavioural competencies (continued):

Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments, social partners and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.

Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.

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.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

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