National Project Coordinator - NOA (DC)

Introduction

Young Africans continue to face significant barriers to access decent work. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the position of young people on the labour market through disrupting school-to-work transitions and disproportionally affecting young workers. At the same time, digital technologies are transforming societies and labour markets, with the potential to create new jobs in the digital economy and build back better.

Against this backdrop and under the aegis of the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with the support of the African Union (AU), have initiated a programme with continental reach to create decent employment and enhance skills for youth in Africa's digital economy. The ILO/ITU/AU Joint Programme on Boosting Decent Jobs and Enhancing Skills for Youth in Africa’s Digital Economy initially targets Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa. 

The ILO/ITU/AU Joint Programme, which in South Africa is also supported by UNDP, aims to increase the number of young people across Africa that have access to decent jobs in the digital economy. In South Africa, the Joint Programme aims to provide a systemic contribution to support and strengthen the efforts of the South African Government, the business community and civil society to deliver digital skills for young people and link them to decent job opportunities.

The Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) project is a model of a ONE-UN approach collaborative effort between 4 UN development and humanitarian agencies: the ILO, the IOM, UNODC and UNHCR. The (SAMM) project forms part of the European Union Regional Indicative Programme (11th EDF RIP) for Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (2014–2020) which includes among its objectives the facilitation of safe, orderly and regular migration and the prevention of irregular migration. It focuses on South-South migration flows, identifying positive spill-over effects of international migration on regional integration and regional economic development. 

Its overall objective is to improve migration management in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region guided by, and contributing to, the realisation of the 2030 Development Agenda (goals 8 and 10).  It is comprised of two main project components: 1. Labour Migration; and 2. Mixed Migration. The first component supports the implementation of the UN Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and the second one the application of the UN Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), as well as of the GCM. South Africa is a key country for project implementation and the incumbent will contribute specifically to activities aimed at enhancing portability and recognition of skills for migrant workers. 

Reporting lines:

Reporting lines:

Under overall guidance of the Decent Work Team (DWT) / Country Office (CO) Director, the National Project Coordinator will report directly to the DWT Skills Specialist as well as to the Programme Manager of the Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) Project for all operational, technical and administrative issues. S/he will also receive technical assistance from the Youth Employment Officer of the Regional Office for Africa (ROAF), based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The incumbent will be responsible for operational activities of both the ILO/ITU and SAMM programmes in South Africa.

Description of Duties

1. In close collaboration with the Skills Specialist, support the effective implementation of Joint Programme activities in South Africa with criteria of timeliness, quality and effectiveness, ensuring the achievement of planned results in the time frame and within budget, in accordance with regional programme requirements and the policies, values and procedures of the ILO. 
2. Support the implementation of a National Digital Skills Innovation Challenge under the Joint Programme for South Africa. This includes supporting the launch of the Innovation Challenge, shortlisting of proposals and facilitation of the selection process, in close collaboration with the project partners and experts collaborators (e.g. appointed jury)
3. Support the effective communication of the South Africa Joint Programme’s objective and results to internal and external audiences through developing content for communication products such as flyers, brochures and social media material as well as actively supporting their dissemination
4. Maintain partnerships with organisations and constituents working on the implementation of the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy (2021-2025)
5. Provide substantive and logistical support in the preparation of Technical Working Group as well as National Advisory Committee meetings, including by preparing concept notes, agendas, minutes, action points, presentations as well as organizational and coordination support. 
6. Assist in coordination of activities under SAMM project Output 1.4, with a particular focus on 1.4.1. National assessments and capacity building on uptake of SADC regional qualifications framework and other mechanisms for skills recognition and mobility, including support to experts identification, technical supervision of consultants’ deliverables and organisation of capacity building activities, in close collaboration with the SAMM Programme Manager.
7. Regularly update the SAMM and ILO/ITU project and programme work plans and ensure their timely implementation. 
8. Any other duties as assigned by the supervisors.
    

Required qualifications

Education

A first level university degree in economics, international development, public policy, social science, or a related discipline/field.

Experience

The successful candidate should have at least two years of professional experience in the area of project coordination and implementation and a solid background in at least one of the core technical areas of work: skills development, youth employment programmes and projects, labour migration programmes or projects and/or development projects on job creation in the digital economy. Prior experience in the field of communication for development is considered an asset. Experience in working with other ILO projects or with government agencies, social partners or civil society organizations would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent written and oral command of English. Knowledge of local languages would be an asset.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position: Customer Orientation, Communications, Collaboration.

Technical competencies

• Ability to coordinate the achievement of objectives and results in a timely and results oriented manner.
• Excellent organisational skills, including coordinating project/programme activities with colleagues across different geographic locations as well as with external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Knowledge of the regulations and procedures of the ILO and/or other UN entities would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate gender analysis into programme/project implementation.
• Excellent knowledge of common office and communication tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) as well as good understanding of common social media platforms.
• Good knowledge of national counterparts, development partners as well as international organizations.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent time management abilities and team work.
• Good analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.