National Project Officer – NOA (DC)

Introduction

The ILO country office for Bangladesh is planning to undertake various initiatives to advance the formalization of informal economy in Bangladesh. The initiative is planned at a time when the country is undergoing a major policy reform process pertaining to labour and employment. National employment policy, National action plan for labour sector reform and national social security strategy are some of these. The main ambition of the initiative is to discourse on formalization by engaging relevant stakeholders for research, technical convenings and institutional reform, leading to the development of an integrated strategy for formalization.

With more than 80 per cent of people working informally, the formalization of the economy is critical for the broad-based and irreversible socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Adopted by the 104th session of the International Labour Conference in 2015, ILO Recommendation Number 204 concerning the transition from an informal to a formal economy provides strategic guidance to the government, employers and workers for the transition to formalization.  ILO Bangladesh will use the recommendations to build the capacities of the constituents to drive the formalization of the Bangladeshi economy. 

The initiative aims to support the ambition of the Government of Bangladesh to drive the formalization of the economy enshrined in the Industrial Policy 2022. Working with the SME Foundation of Bangladesh as a nodal government agency, Employers and Business Membership Organizations (EMBOs) and workers’ organizations, the initiative will lay a foundation for the formalization of the informal economy in Bangladesh. Capacity building through ILO’s time-tested tool formalizes your business and other business development support services, research, and convenings, which are some of the approaches to achieve the ambition of driving towards a formal economy.
The national project officer, under the close supervision of the SME development specialist of Co-Dhaka, will drive the initiative by working closely with constituents and partners. The incumbent will be responsible for designing and managing partnerships with constituents, expert organizations, and think tanks. S/he will also coordinate research technical convenings and knowledge-sharing activities. 

Description of Duties

With the close guidance and supervision of the SME development specialist in Co-Dhaka, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1.    Review and analyse the relevant policies, regulatory provisions and institutional mechanisms in Bangladesh pertaining to the formalization of employment and enterprises. 
2.    Develop an engagement plan with the Ministry of Industry, SME foundation, employers and business membership organizations and workers’ organizations to advance the discourse on formalization in Bangladesh. 
3.    Work in close collaboration with partners to design and undertake research and technical convenings to identify policy gaps, increase awareness and synthesize relevant knowledge and good practices pertaining to formalization. 
4.    Coordinate research and analyses to address the gender and informality nexus in Bangladesh and propose suggestions. 
5.    Coordinate with the UN agencies and development partners to synergize efforts and learnings in the areas of formalization. 
6.    Review, verify and analyze work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness, and monitor the progress of project activities. 
7.    Supervise and manage the Admin and Finance Assistant assigned to the initiative to keep track of operations, budget, and spending following the office’s established BoS. 
8.    Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems and propose solutions and actions. 
9.    Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Undertake missions to relevant places independently or accompanying others.

10.    Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate into local language official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials. 
11.    Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project. 
12.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in Business, economics, public policies, development studies or a relevant field. An advanced degree on studies on labour economics would be a strong advantage.

Experience

At least one to two years of professional experience working with enterprises, mainly in training and capacity building. Working experience with employers and business membership organizations is desirable. Familiarity with the ILO’s tools and methodology for training and capacity building would be an asset.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of the business environment (policy, regulatory) and labour regulations in Bangladesh. Familiarity with the policy-making process would be an asset. 

Languages

Languages: Professional level command in English and Bangla language  

Competencies

⦁    Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures, as well as of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Bangladesh.
⦁    Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations. 
⦁    Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise.
⦁    Strong analytical skills, ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
⦁    Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
⦁    Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
⦁    Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, as well as to work on his/her own initiative.
⦁    Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility.
⦁    Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline.
⦁    Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications. 
⦁    Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
⦁    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.