DW4YM National Project Manager (NOC)- DC Mozambique

Introduction

Mozambique is endowed with ample arable land, water, energy, as well as mineral resources and newly discovered natural gas offshore; three, deep seaports; and a relatively large potential pool of labour. Agriculture is the mainstay of the country’s economy accounting for 20 per cent of the GDP in 2020, employing about 79 per cent of the labour force and accounting for about 25 per cent of export earnings. Since the end of the civil war in early nineties, Mozambique has been one of the fastest growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa with an average real GDP growth of 7.4 per cent (1993 – 2015) (UNDP). Mozambique’s strong economic performance owes to a combination of sound macroeconomic management, several largescale foreign-investment projects in the extractives sector and significant donor support. However, this growth, has not been equitable and has not delivered the expected results in terms of employment creation and poverty reduction. Poverty remains high, with highest rates recorded in Cabo Delgado, Zambezia and Tete regions. Women, youth, children, and people with disabilities are the most affected and make up the larger portion of the poor in Mozambique.

 

The Government of Mozambique acknowledges that poverty, unemployment, skills gap and the lack of basic infrastructure are the most pervasive problems that the country is confronted with and is committed to broad based policy reforms and programmes meant to address these interconnected challenges. A number of bi/multi-national development partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are supporting these efforts.

 

In this regard, the ILO with the support of IFAD is implementing a technical assistance project meant to create more and better employment opportunities for vulnerable youth, women and People with Disabilities (PWD) in Northern Mozambique, with a specific focus on rural economic development. 

 

The project – Decent Work for Youth in Mozambique (Projecta Jovem in Portuguese) is funded under the Rural Enterprise Financing Programme (REFP) being implemented by the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (MADER), which is also the budget holder of the project.

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The goal is to support vulnerable youth’s socio-economic integration into the labour market and to increase their employability and economic productivity with a focus priority sectors including agriculture, artisanal fisheries and aquaculture. The national implementing counterpart is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER). The project has three interconnected and complementary components namely skills development, sustainable enterprise development as well as Employment Intensive Infrastructure works. 
 

 

The National Project Manager (NPM) will be responsible for the overall coordination, planning, design, implementation, quality control and report on all the project components. The NPM will also coordinate and monitor two National Project Coordinators (NPCs) and a Project Driver based in Nampula Province and a Financial and Administrative Assistant (FAA) based in Maputo.

 

Reporting lines

 

The National Project Manager will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the ILO Country Office Director for Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique (CO-Lusaka). The incumbent will receive technical advice and support from the DWT/CO- Pretoria Specialists on i) Employment Intensive Works, ii) Skills Development and Lifelong Learning and iii) Sustainable Enterprises and Productivity. 

The NPM will work in close liaison with Government and non-Government counterparts to create synergy and impact in project delivery. In addition, the NPM will work closely with staff from other ILO projects operating in Mozambique as well as relevant IFAD and MADER personnel among other key partners to provide a coordinated input and ensure delivery of the project objectives. The NPM will also work closely with the Programming Office to ensure timely implementation, monitoring and reporting on Country Programme Outcome (CPOs) according to the Results Framework of the P&B. 

 

Description of Duties

1.    Lead the timely implementation of the project, ensure robust Monitoring and Evaluation through effective project management, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in Nampula and Maputo in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the project document and work plan.
2.    Contribute proposals for continuous project development and serve as national advisor to the Directorate for Local Economic Development (DNDL) in MADER and the Rural Enterprise Financing Programme (REFP) as the project’s direct counterparts and draft project and budget proposals to deliver on the project objectives. 
3.    Develop and implement a strong results measurement framework, including a monitoring system to track progress and results at various levels while Promoting gender equality, diversity and including gender mainstreaming, into all project-related interventions. 
4.    Monitor progress of the project and its activities by reviewing, verifying and analyzing workplans, progress reports submitted by staff based in the Nampula province, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Ensure that the project results (including Country Programme Outcome reporting in support of the ILO’s Programme and Budget for 2024/25) are regularly documented, monitored, evaluated, reported, communicated and used for learning and adjustment of the project, and support to ILO constituents in Mozambique. 
5.    Identify challenges, propose solutions and actions and follow-up with the national counterparts, MADER and REFP, as well as the donor IFAD, and liaise and coordinate closely with CO Lusaka and DWT Pretoria to expedite implementation and meet targets.
6.    Identify and activate Public Private Partnerships with public and private sector partners, including strategically important NGOs and Community Based Organizations in the target provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa. 
7.    Plan, organize, supervise, monitor and manage efficiently the work of the project team (incl. national experts and general service staff, as well as external collaborators) to ensure the effective delivery of project outputs as well as building the capacity of provincial implementing partners in the identification, planning, and implementation of i) employment intensive-, ii) skills development and lifelong learning-, and iii) sustainable enterprise and market systems development interventions. 
8.    Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with the host government officials and work with government stakeholders and maintain close cooperation and coordination with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other stakeholders in the planning, implementation and monitoring of activities under the project.
9.    Ensure administration and internal control of project resources for effective and cost-efficient management of funds/budgets assigned to the project as well as ensure that reporting is adequately carried out, as elaborated in the Project Document and ILO and IFAD guidelines

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10.    Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical interventions under the project including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.
11.    In addition to the key backstopping technical specialists, develop and maintain strong links with other specialists in the ILO Decent Work Team in Pretoria, other colleagues in the field and HQ on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
12.    Provide leadership on the provision of technical support to ILO constituents, government agencies, other relevant stakeholders, and in particular the Project Steering Committee in undertaking their advisory responsibilities under the project.

13.    Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project’s components according to the project’s document and work plan. 
14.    Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor.
15.    Participate in and contribute to resource mobilization and new project design efforts with CO Lusaka, DWT Pretoria, HQ and other Country Offices 
16.    Represent the ILO and the project in various national and international fora, under the guidance of the ILO Director 
17.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree (or equivalent) in economics, business management, social science, civil and/or environmental engineering or related fields with knowledge in development issues particularly in Mozambique.  Master`s degree is an added advantage.

Experience

At least five years of experience or involvement in project management, supervision, administration and implementation of grant/cooperative agreement requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to the project donor).  In addition, proven experience in working in rural Mozambique as well as working effectively with national and/or local government and other development partners would be an asset. Proven experience in employment intensive approach, employment promotion, skills planning and delivery, natural resources management, climate change (resilience building) with expertise in socio-economic analysis will also be an added advantage.
                 
 

Languages

Excellent command of English and working knowledge of Portuguese is required.

Competencies

–    Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, by promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
–    Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
–    Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills;
–    Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners;
–    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes; 
–    Ability to unite or find convergence in an inclusive manner among diverging perspectives and to build bridges among different stakeholders.
–    Excellent knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts. 
–    Excellent knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
–    Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
–    Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities.
–    Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.
–    Research and analytical skills. 
–    Drafting skills.
–    Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
–    Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations policies and procedures.
–    Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
–    Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems. 
–    Ability to plan, manage and supervise staff.
–    Ability to manage competing priorities. 
–    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.

 

 

Please ensure to indicate all languages spoken within your application profile and as per the vacancy requirement.