National Project Coordinator - NOB (DC)

Introduction

The Employment and Reintegration in Nigeria (EMR) project aims to strengthen the capacity of relevant stakeholders to provide advisory and support services to returnees and the local population in the areas of employment promotion, income generation and return and reintegration, and to advance the generation of data and statistics. 

The project will be implemented through two key objectives: 
•    Institutional framework for the provision of advisory and support services to returnees and the local population in Nigeria enhanced;
•    Capacity of national stakeholders to promote occupational and income generating opportunities of returnees and the local population strengthened.

To this end, the project will map existing training offers at federal and state levels and seek opportunities for such services and monitoring their implementation. The project will promote advice and support services to returnees and the local population including in the areas of business development, financial education and cooperative development in a gender-sensitive and sustainable manner. Support will also be provided in the development of start-up and cooperative businesses. These activities will be complemented by efforts aimed at strengthening the evidence-base on employment and reintegration in Nigeria. 

The ILO Country Office Abuja is therefore seeking to recruit a National Project Coordinator who will be responsible for the implementation, results and coordination of the project. The incumbent will ensure operational coordination of activities and liaise with the project partners, including the Government, social partners and GIZ, to ensure completion of activities according to the project work plan. The incumbent will ensure that the objectives stated in the project document are attained within the stated time frame and budget and in compliance with ILO’s financial and operating procedures. 

II.    Reporting line:

Under the overall responsibility of the Director of ILO-CO, Abuja, the incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Employment and Migration Officer based in the ILO-CO, Abuja.

The incumbent may liaise with and receive technical support from the regional labour migration specialist at the Regional Office for Africa (Abidjan), the Labour Migration Branch MIGRANT (Conditions of Work and Equality Department), and the technical specialists of the Decent Work Team in Dakar in the fields of migration, skills, employment, ACTRAV (workers organizations) and ACT/EMP (employers organizations) and with other specialists in the fields of statistics and regional migration.

This position will be based in the ILO-CO Abuja

Description of Duties

1.    Ensure operational coordination of project implementation, monitor conditions set out in the project document, budget and grant agreement and facilitate coordination with the donor. 

2.    Lead the implementation of project activities with criteria of timeliness, quality and effectiveness, ensuring the achievement of planned results in the time frame and within budget, in accordance with project requirements and the policies, values and procedures of the ILO.

3.    Initiate, sustain and guide cooperation with key partners in Nigeria, in close collaboration with relevant ILO technical specialists to ensure the performance and results of the project, and ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in planning and project implementation to achieve the desired results.

4.    Coordinate and monitor project activities implemented by project and implementing partners, consultants and trainers and ensure the quality of outputs, by reviewing, verifying and analysing partners work plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. 

5.    Regularly brief responsible government officials, employer and worker associations on project status and consult with other United Nations agencies, development partners and NGOs whose mandates and programmes are similar to those of the project.

6.    Ensure a regular flow of information on the status of the activities planned and implemented between the ILO-CO Abuja, the Regional Office for Africa, the Decent Work Team in Dakar and relevant units at ILO headquarters. This will include accurate implementation, performance, risk and financial monitoring.

7.    Manage the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, multi-stakeholder consultations, training sessions and meetings in collaboration with the technical support of experts and represent the project in various meetings. Organize project management meetings, draft meeting notes and solicit comments from relevant project partners.

8.    Coordinate and monitor research carried out and studies undertaken by external collaborators.

9.    Update project work plans, implement the reporting, monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the outcomes, outputs, activities and indicators set out in the project document and grant agreement, monitor progress on a continuous basis and prepare and validate project progress reports.  

10.    Implement the communications strategy ensuring visibility of project’s results, dissemination of project information through publications and press releases, and good communication with all partners.

11.    Facilitate technical input, knowledge exchange and thematic discussions. Develop knowledge products including fact sheets and policy briefs. 

12.    Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor within the framework of his/her competence.
 

Required qualifications

Education

First level of University degree in law, economics, management, international development, social sciences or a related field. 

Experience

At least three years of relevant professional experience, preferably in relation with employment and labour migration issues including experience working with officials of ministries of labour, foreign affairs, social partners and migration institutions and associations. Record of familiarity with ILO/UN policies and procedures, including development cooperation procedures would be desirable. Experience managing and implementing ILO/UN projects would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent spoken and written knowledge of English; good knowledge of another official language of the duty station. 

Competencies

• 1.    Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts and understanding of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation). Demonstrated ability to incorporate gender analysis into project implementation.
  2.    Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the program’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for program development and resource mobilisation. 
  3.    Ability to advocate and provide policy advice. Political awareness and understanding of policy debates and developments in the area of employment, migration and labour migration. Good knowledge of national counterparts, development partners as well as international organizations. 
  4.    Proven ability to manage teams including personnel management and remote capacity project management (project planning and management of financial and monitoring procedures).
  5.    Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff and consultants working for the project 
  6.    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
  7.    Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders such as government officials, representatives of workers’ and employers' organizations, representative(s) of civil society, and academics.
  8.    Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
  9.    Knowledge of the regulations and procedures of the ILO and/or other UN entities would be an asset.
  10.    Excellent time management, planning and organizational skills.
  11.    Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  12.    Ability to write progress reports for the implementation of the project in a concise and timely manner. 
  13.    Good knowledge of common office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and communication (internet and email).