National Project Coordinator (Skills Development)

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 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 Partnership 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 Partnership will be grounded on results-based and country-led approaches (“bottom up”) in two identified regions: MENA and the Horn of Africa with Egypt being one of the Target Countries. The programme 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.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Partnership Programme, the National Project Coordinator in Skills Development will support the Programme Manager (PM) with the day-to-day management of the programme implementation in field locations and provide field level technical inputs and advisory services as required towards the development and execution of future programmes to be developed in the programme fields of activity. S/he will ensure that the objectives stated in the programme documents (Country Vision Note, exploratory phase and future Country Programme) 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. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the programme-related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda and in line with the Decent Work Country Programme.

Under overall guidance of the CO Director, the National Project Coordinator in Skills Development will report directly to the Programme Manager (PM) in Egypt 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 from relevant specialists from DWT Cairo and HQ as required.

• 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.
• 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 Cairo.
• Support the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the programme, in accordance with ILO rules and regulations.
• Provide support to relevant government ministries, ILO social partners and other key national and international partners, in close collaboration with the PM, ILO DWT/CO Cairo, and HQ units as relevant..
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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 national refugee authority and UNHCR in line with the ILO-UNHCR MOU and joint action plan and its follow-up.

• 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.
• 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.
• Representation of the ILO during field level meetings related to the project as well as other related meetings with other UN agencies (including UNDAF processes), donors field visits and thematic donor meetings, district level and regional forums as well as Sector meetings of tripartite partners.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Programme Manager.

First level university degree in technical and vocational education, development, social science, economics, education, labour or a related discipline/field.

The successful candidate should have one or two years of professional experience at the national level in the area of skills development, project design, management and implementation. Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures, including experience working with the United Nations, Ministries of Labour, Education, Trade or other government Ministries Departments and Agencies, would be an added advantage, as would experience working in crisis and refugee settings

Excellent command of English and good knowledge of Arabic. French would be an asset.

• 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 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 good knowledge of ILO Social Partners.