National Project Coordinator

<!–

Description

–>

Introduction

Guatemala faces significant systemic and structural challenges related to inequality, discrimination, the judicial system, impunity, democratic space and human rights. With a human development index of 0.627 and a Gini coefficient of 48.3, poverty and inequality are high. 61.6% of the population lives in multidimensional poverty, with higher rates among indigenous peoples and children. Women’s participation in the structured labor market is low, at 39.9%, compared to 86.3% for men. The total employed population is 7,242,822 people, with 63.58% men and 36.42% women.

The European Union (EU) in Guatemala, considering the above context, has defined the implementation of a project to raise good practices of responsible business conduct (CER) in 5 supply chains, which are priorities for the country.

• The five priority agribusiness supply chains will be affected by current and future EU regulatory developments. Together, the five supply chains represent around 7.97% of the national GDP and approximately 5.38% of the national economically active population. The results of the previous EU mapping showed that palm oil and coffee are the value chains most sensitive to regulatory changes in the European market. In the case of the cocoa, coffee and wood chains, the participation of small and micro producers is very high and due to their geographical distribution, these chains play a very important role in structuring the economy of territories that are particularly vulnerable from a social and environmental point of view.
• The CER and environmental and social due diligence practices in accordance with the guiding instruments of the United Nations, the ILO and the OECD will be a competitive factor for Guatemalan companies to access the EU market and supply chains. With the aim of strengthening business capacity to meet these requirements and create an enabling environment for responsible business conduct and decent work, this project will provide technical assistance to ILO constituents and other stakeholders regarding CER and environmental and social due diligence.
• This project will run in parallel to the CERALC project, and will be implemented by the same 3 agencies: ILO, OECD and OHCHR, with ILO as the lead implementing agency.
• The work will focus on 3 components: (1) supporting companies operating in Guatemala, with an emphasis on MSMEs, to carry out CER and due diligence practices in the supply chains of: coffee, cocoa, palm oil, sugar cane and wood; (2) strengthening an enabling environment for responsible agricultural supply chains and the adoption of due diligence in Guatemala, by supporting the development and implementation of national policies for CER and due diligence; and (3) increasing the capacity of rights holders, in the particular case of the ILO, of workers’ organizations, to participate and dialogue in order to promote the adoption of CER and due diligence. The
• main objective of this position is to support the implementation in Guatemala and to promote the exchange of practices and experiences with the countries in which the CERALC Project is implemented. The position will also contribute to the framework for cooperation between the ILO and tripartite constituents in Guatemala in the areas related to enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, with emphasis on micro and small enterprises, green job creation strategies, and vocational training and business development policies.

Description of tasks

• Lead the implementation, monitoring and timely evaluation of the project through management functions, in accordance with ILO policy, rules and regulations and in accordance with the final project document and work plan.
• Ensure effective and efficient coordination with the project implementing partners (OHCHR and OECD) and the donor through its national presence. This includes coordination with both organizations for the preparation of project progress reports and the monitoring system, as ILO is the lead agency for the Project.
• Contribute with proposals for the development of the program/project and act as national program advisor to the Office Director, and draft part of the program and budget proposals, project proposals, program context, country strategy documents, objectives, reviews and project evaluation.
• Identify problems, propose solutions and actions and follow up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, in executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to facilitate implementation and achieve goals.
• Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government and employers’ and workers’ organizations in planning and implementing project activities.
• Establish and develop a knowledge management system covering technical activities in the project, including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.
• Represent the project in various forums, under the guidance of the ILO Director.
• Develop and maintain strong ties with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in San José, the CERALC Project team, as well as other colleagues in the field/region and headquarters, on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
• Periodically report, monitor and facilitate evaluation of all project components in accordance with the project document and its work plan. Prepare technical progress reports upon request and ad-hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor, including annual progress reports and reports to the project committee.
• Responsible for administrative management including guidance and supervision of consultants and other staff who may be assigned to the project in Guatemala.
• Ensure high-level communications to enhance the visibility of the project at national and international levels. This includes responsibility for communicating with the UN Country Team and other key partners to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under the direct guidance of the San José Office, maintain relations with the mass media and other interested communication groups to enhance the impact of the project on society at large.
• Other related functions assigned by the supervisor (especially in the areas of sustainable enterprises, green jobs and vocational training).

Education

• First-level university degree in economics, social sciences (business administration, industrial engineering) or related field.
• Strong knowledge on responsible business conduct issues, particularly in Guatemala.
• Good knowledge of social and economic development, including labor and employment trends in Guatemala.

Experience

• Minimum three years of experience in project management in one of the following areas:  responsible business conduct, business development, social policies and public policy development.

Valuable:

• Research experience in any of the topics.

Languages

• Excellent level of Spanish, and advanced level of English.

Source: https://jobs.ilo.org/job/Ciudad-de-Guatemala-Coordinador-Nacional-de-Proyecto-NOB-(DC)/1119422001/

<!—

<!–

–>