Project Technical Officer/Coordinator – P3

Introduction

Since its outbreak in 2020, Covid-19 has negatively impacted the national economies, employment, and societies across South Asia. Especially the crisis unveiled the weaknesses of the current labour market structure in South Asian countries, where the informal economy is prevalent in all sectors, and most workers and economic units were little or inadequately protected and put in vulnerable situations. 

Recognizing the unprecedented challenges, ILO launched “Building Resilience for the Future of Work and the Post COVID-19: Promoting rights and social inclusion through organization and formalization (PRS)” project in 2021 with the funding support of the Government of Japan, which extended necessary support and protection for the informal workers and economic units in vulnerable situations, especially focusing on women, and promoted their formalization by collaborating with social partners across South Asia. While the project implemented various actions resulting in achieving the intended outcomes, it has also identified a need for continuous support for the informal workers and economic units. Moreover, the need for further enhancement of the capacity of the social partners and coordination mechanisms among the constituents in addressing decent work deficits and gender inequalities in the informal economy and promoting formalization were also recognized. In response, the Government of Japan expressed its plan to continue providing financial support and establish Phase II of the project for sustaining ongoing works in India, Nepal, and Pakistan, which have been identified as higher-priority countries requiring continuing support. 

PRS Phase II project engages in strengthening the capacity of the social partners to implement measures to address decent work deficits and gender inequalities in the informal economy and promote formalization and gender-responsive COVID-19 recovery. It will also work to enhance the partnership and coordination mechanisms among the constituents for identifying key policy recommendations and action plans and gain more interest and support from the wider stakeholders, including the general public, on the need to support the vulnerability of informal workers and economic units. The project countries are Nepal, India, and Pakistan with the duration of three years up to November 2025. Through such initiatives, the project aims to contribute to the reduction of decent work deficits and gender inequalities in the informal economy while promoting the transition to the formal economy. In the given context, ILO Nepal is currently seeking a Project Technical Officer/Coordinator to lead the overall project management and implementation of PRS Phase II in Nepal, India, and Pakistan.

Reporting lines

The Project Technical Officer/Coordinator will be based in CO-Kathmandu.  She/he will report to the CO-Kathmandu Director, while having the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO/Japan Multi-Bilateral Programme in ROAP Bangkok. The Project Technical Officer/Coordinator will work closely with the Gender Specialist and other relevant technical specialists in DWT-Delhi  also maintain and will maintain close communication with Country Directors and Progamme Officers in India, Nepal and Pakistan to ensure necessary coordination and synergy.

Description of Duties

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Project Technical Officer/Coordinator will be responsible for managing the day-to-day implementation and coordination of activities to ensure the delivery of outputs towards the achievement of the project objectives. He/she will maintain close contacts with relevant representatives of the government, employers’ and workers’ organizations in the project countries and provide technical support in promoting decent work through formalization. Promoting gender equality in all project activities will also be a key element of the duties. 

1. Manage the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of the activities by providing technical guidance and closely coordinating with the project staff in all project countries, while ensuring conformity with ILO policies and procedures.
2. Provide technical advice and support to project staff and national partners in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the gender-responsive project activities, in coordination with the ILO’s Decent Work Technical Team, Country Offices, and HQ.
3. Develop training materials and conduct seminars and workshops to ensure the promotion of Decent Work Agenda in all project activities, with stronger emphasis to promote gender equality.
4. Maintain close liaison with governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and non-governmental organizations, to discuss matters and follow up on a range of activities. 
5. Maintain close communication with the Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO/Japan Multi-Bilateral Programme to ensure conformity with donor requirements.
6. Conduct research and integrate technical inputs for regional and country analyses, reports and publications related to the project and prepare discussion notes.
7. Plan and organize knowledge sharing meetings with relevant stakeholders at the country and/or sub-regional levels.
8. Promote the integration of gender-specific considerations in all activities and strategies in the project.
9. Work closely with National Project Coordinators/Consultants in country offices in South Asia to ensure regional/national linkages and vice-versa where relevant, in the implementation of the project.
10. Prepare technical and financial progress and final reports on project delivery.
11. Participate in relevant meetings to share the knowledge and experiences from the project and collaborate with relevant organizations for efficient implementation.
12. Promote the application of relevant international labour standards in the implementation of the project.
13. Co-ordinate, promote linkages and share best practices and lessons learnt with other relevant ILO projects/programs, ILO units and external stakeholders.
14. Undertake missions in relation to project implementation.
15. Undertake other duties as required by the CO-Kathmandu Director and the Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO/Japan Multi-Bilateral Programme.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in international relations, development studies, economics, geography, demography, or a relevant field.

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience, including three years at the international level. Strong background in successfully managing projects that involve the implementation of activities at both grassroots and policy levels. Proven experience in addressing inequalities and promoting gender equality in programmes/projects. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English language, both written and spoken.

Competencies

• Ability  to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization;
• Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field;
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies;
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation and ability to provide  technical support to senior specialists carrying out research, project formulation and implementation;
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda;
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques;
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.