Project Manager P4

Introduction

The position of Project Manager for the development cooperation project called “Setting Adequate Wages: a focus on agriculture (SAW-A)” is located in the Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK). INWORK strives to improve the working conditions and the protection of workers through effective policies, while contributing to achieving an inclusive labour market which provides access to quality employment for all, including sound labour relations. More specifically, the Branch is responsible for: undertaking multi-dimensional analysis of workers’ protection, vulnerability at work and labour market institutions, including the impacts on labour markets and economic performance and on equality. In doing so, it develops and, upon request, offers integrated policy advice which is responsive to national needs, priorities and resources.

The position is covered by a DC Project “Setting adequate wages: a focus on agriculture” (GLO/23/30/DEU) implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and financed by Government of the Federal Republic of Germany represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project promotes the setting of adequate wages in agriculture through statutory minimum wages and/or collective bargaining as a means to enable decent living standards for workers and their families, while at the same time ensuring the sustainability of enterprises which create the jobs for these workers. As many workers in agriculture are independent workers, the project also seeks to explore how interventions on different economic factors, including measures to increase productivity, might be combined to raise their labour incomes. The project engages with existing living wage initiatives, inviting them to take into account evidence on both needs of workers and their families and economic factors. It also undertakes research on the question of living income and explores what the concept of a living income could mean for self-employed workers, like smallholder farmers, who do not earn a wage, but seek to cover their needs by selling their goods and services on the market. The project management is centralised in ILO HQ with field operations in three countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Colombia).

Overall responsibilities of the Project Manager: The Project Manager based at ILO HQ in Geneva will coordinate and backstop the project implementation, prepare budgets, supervise the work of project staff, provide policy advice on wages, produce knowledge products, liaise with constituents, undertake resource mobilisation, and engage in partnerships with external organisations and entities, notably those engaged in the living wage debate. A part-time (30%) administrative assistant, who will report to the Project Manager, will be hired in ILO HQ to carry out administrative tasks and services. At national level, in the three countries of the project, the Project Manager will work with the national officers to implement activities at their respective countries. These national officers will also receive technical guidance from ILO field wage experts located in their respective regions. 

Reporting: The Project Manager will report to the Senior Economist, Wage Specialist, who himself reports directly to the ILO responsible official, who is the Chief of INWORK Branch. The Senior economist will supervise the project, approve workplans and budgets, monitor progress and activities, provide technical guidance to the Project Manager, and – if needed – help to resolve conflicts or disagreements that may arise. 

Description of Duties

• Project implementation: Ensure the effective management of the project as well as the coordination, planning and technical backstopping and the timely implementation of all project activities as per the project document and the signed Arrangement. This includes the preparation of all the reports for the duration of the activity, including annual plans, the inception report, and the narrative reports, as well as ensuring the preparation of the financial reports as per the schedule of the Agreement. It also includes identifying possible risks and challenges that could prevent the project objectives from being reached and identifying alternative strategies to tackle these challenges. 

• Budget: prepare the budgets in conformity with ILO administrative and financial procedures, monitor budget delivery, prepare requests for the second, third and fourth payment from the donor as per the payment schedule established in the signed Arrangement.    

• Knowledge and policy development: produce documents, reports, and other types of knowledge products. Carry out and/or commission research on indicators of the needs of workers and their families and economic factors for wage setting, and for contributing to a better understanding of living wages and living incomes. Contribute, in collaboration with other members of the Branch, to the development of integrated approaches and policies aiming to foster the setting of adequate wage and progressing toward living wage and living income. 

• Gender equality: Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

• Staff and consultants: Supervise the work of the Administrative Assistant (30%) and provide guidance to the national officers hired by the project at country level. Prepare terms-of-references for consultants and partners to implement global or regional activities in line with the project document and oversee the quality of their work.  

• Engagement with ILO Constituents: liaise and consult with ILO constituents at global and regional level. Facilitate/organise exchanges of experiences between countries and regions. Provide policy advice and undertake consultations through missions at national level, in collaboration with national officers and field specialists. 

• Representation and partnerships: Represent the project in global and regional workshops related to wage setting, in international initiatives on living wages, and in the partnerships with external organisations.   

• Internal coordination: Liaise with other ILO programmes or units such as Better Work (for matters related to the textile and garment industry), LABADMIN/OSH (for matters related to labour inspections services), ENTERPRISE (for matter related to enterprise productivity) or SECTOR (for sectoral activities, for example, in agriculture) to inform them about project activities and explore possible synergies and collaborations. 

• Donor relationship and resource mobilisation: maintain a regular exchange of information and a good relationship with the donor and its partners, and engage in local resource mobilisation efforts with a view to expand the donor base of the project with a view to transforming the project into a multi-donor effort.

• Dissemination: Oversee the development of a dissemination strategy for the project and its publications through the ILO website, a specific webpage dedicated to the project, a communication plan with the ILO Department of Communication and Public Information (DCOMM), and through possible forthcoming editions of the Global Wage Report. Participate in national, regional and/or global meetings, workshops, seminars or training activities to disseminate products and lessons learned from the project.

• Project Evaluation: As per ILO Evaluation Policy, ensure the timely implementation of an initial Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) appraisal, mid-term independent evaluation and final independent evaluation. The evaluation will include an assessment of the success or potential to expand the donor-base for this project, with a view to transforming the project into a multi-donor effort.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics or another relevant field. A first level university degree in the field mentioned above with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of experience, including at the international level, in combining research, data analysis and policy advice on labour market issues, and experience in designing and monitoring technical cooperation projects.

Languages

Full satisfactory knowledge of one of the working languages of the organisation, and knowledge of additional relevant languages would be an advantage.

Competencies

Technical competencies     

Ability to: focus on results, synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; formulate new concepts and methodologies; develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and ILC, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects.  
    
Behavioural competencies

Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes. Ability to address and communicate with a variety of audiences (both technical and non-technical). Good inter-personal skills and ability to liaise and cooperate with other members of the team and other programmes and entities.