Project/Programme Technical Officer P2

Introduction

The position is located in the METI project, which is part of the of the Investment, Sectoral Strategies and Transitions IST Team of the Employment Investment (EMPINVEST) branch of the Employment, Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department.  EMPINVEST mainstreams employment and decent work into investments, trade and sectoral strategies from policies to the operational programmatic level. A major work area of the IST team is the promotion of employment considerations into trade, investment, industrial and general sector policies. The project “Mainstreaming Employment into Trade and Investment in the Southern Neighbourhood METI, Phase II” of the EU, following the previous METI project, phase I (2020-2024) is a four-year regional project implemented by the International Labour Office (ILO) and financed by the European Union (EU), DG NEAR. METI II builds on the foundational analysis and studies carried out under METI I but focusses on the implementation of the derived recommendations. Its action-oriented approach can be therefore placed under the slogan “from export potential to employment reality”. The overall objective of METI II will be to design and implement trade and investment policies and measures that optimise the quantity and quality of employment created, in particular for women and youth, and MSMEs.

The main role of the position is to be responsible for the technical support to the two regions of the project, Middle East and Northern Africa and to liaise and support coordination and cooperation in-house, in particular at HQ, but also liaise directly with the donor, DG NEAR. The Project/Programme Technical Officer will provide technical support to the project in general and the project countries in the design, implementation and monitoring phase of planned activities. He/she may also be involved in participating in missions to the region, backstopping national and thematic studies and providing inputs into regional knowledge-sharing workshops and regional training based on these studies. He/she will also support technically and operationally the Lead of the Investment, sectoral strategies and transitions (IST) team and his overall responsibilities on the METI project.

The Officer works in collaboration with other specialist in the DWT/CO team in Cairo and the Trade and Employment Officer in the DWT/CO team in Beirut, with counterparts in other UN agencies and other international partners at the country and regional level.

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager and within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the METI project, the Project/Programme Technical Officer will assist in the overall activities of the above project by providing technical support to the project to attain the expected outcomes. The incumbent will contribute to the promotion of the ILO policies in the project-related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

Reporting lines: The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Lead of the IST team, main responsible of the METI project, in close cooperation with Project Manager in Cairo. 
 

Description of Duties

1. Carry out a range of activities for the implementation of project objectives in conformity with ILO policies, procedures and practices; the project strategies; and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country action programs and with particular attention to gender responsiveness.
2. Collaborate with the project professional team and national partners in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities, in coordination with the ILO Field Offices and HQ.
3. Provide administrative and technical backstopping support for technical studies for the project countries in the MENA region and provide inputs into regional knowledge-sharing workshops and regional training based on these studies. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.
4. Prepare draft terms of reference for consultants/external collaborators, jointly with the project’s Project Manager.
5. Carry out research and provide technical inputs in the preparation of analytical research, reports and publications, and draft technical discussion papers.
6. Establish and/or maintain a database for monitoring and evaluation aimed at tracking progress against Key Performance Indicators. Identify problems and make recommendations for follow up actions.
7. Liaise on operational matters related to the project with different stakeholders from governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations and in particular with donors in various aspects of reporting and representation. Participate, on request, in annual project Steering Committee meetings in Brussels and liaise with the Project Manager in Cairo to assure good communication and working relations with the donor and the project’s institutional partners.
8. Provide inputs for budget preparation and other related matters, including preparing relevant documentation for responsible ILO entities.
9. Participate in training seminars and workshops as resource person. Contribute to the development of training materials.
10. Collaborate closely with relevant ILO programmes and projects, ILO units and responsible ILO offices and DWT as appropriate, to obtain technical inputs and share best practices and lessons learned, in light of various cooperation activities on the METI project in-house.
11. Cooperate closely with other international partners active under the METI project.
12. Assist in identifying potential donors for future activities on the employment, trade and investment nexus and liaise with them under the leadership of the LEAD, ISST.
13. Undertake missions relating to project countries in the MENA region, including missions on specific activities, missions to present the project and the final seminar.
14. Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in economics, international economic, development economics, social or political sciences.  A Master’s degree would be an asset.
 

Experience

At least three years of relevant professional experience in research and project management at the international level. 
Some familiarity with the MENA region would be an asset.
Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour, trade or investment and donors would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of one working language of the Office (English or French), and good working knowledge of another (English or French or Arabic).

Competencies

• Ability to draft clearly and concisely, and prepare project proposals, reports and studies.
• Ability to identify problems and make recommendations
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good analytical skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
• Ability to carry out assignments in accordance with instructions and guidelines and on time.
• Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Ability to conceptualise, plan and conduct straightforward research work.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.