National Project Coordinator

Job Description

The ILO with catalytic financial support from Sida in Kenya has been implementing project titled ‘Inclusive Growth in the Great Rift Valley since May 2018.Due to the project’s positive impact, a second phase has been designed to ensure the continuity of the project for additional period of 48months starting July 2024. Phase 2 of the project will therefore be based on a market systems development (MSD) approach, combined with interventions aiming at systemic change in skills development and lifelong learning services, while, to the extent possible, building on the partnerships established during Phase 1.

The overarching aim of the programme is to contribute to the inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development of the Great Rift Valley where the overall development objective is a contribution to employment creation and economic development through three outcome areas namely: a)enhanced employability and job access through vocational education and skills development, b)inclusive job opportunities in growing sustainable enterprises and value chains, and; c)enhanced community engagement towards inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

The ILO is recruiting a National Project Coordinator who will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project, developing new partnerships, and quality control of reporting and communication. The National Project Coordinator will coordinate the implementation of all the project outcomes and activities, including those which will be implemented via implementation agreements.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Director of ILO Country Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda in Dar es Salaam (CO-Dar es Salaam) and will be technically backstopped by the Employment Specialist based in CO-Dar es Salaam, the specialists for Skills Development and Lifelong Learning and for Sustainable Enterprises, Productivity and Just Transition in the Decent Work Technical Support Team in Pretoria. Additional technical backstopping will be provided by ILO technical experts at the Sida funded global Systems Change Initiative in the MSME Branch in ILO Headquarters. Further technical support will be provided on a need basis by other relevant departments at ILO Headquarters.

Description of Duties

Lead the project timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan.
Contribute proposals for programme/project development and serve as national programme advisor to the Directorate and draft portions of programme and budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, country strategy papers, objectives and project reviews and evaluation. Monitor progress of ILO programmes, projects and activities, by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.
Identify problems, propose solutions and action and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
Develop effective partnerships with line ministries, country governments, employers and workers organizations, private sector, as well as other non-state actors, including youth and women organizations working to implement and evaluate ILO programme on enterprise development.
Build the capacity of national implementing partners and support them in the development of programme activities in enterprise development related issues. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on fundamental rights at work.
Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers’ and workers’ organizations in the planning and implementation of activities mainstreaming gender and disability issues under the project. Initiate, plan and conduct missions and visits to monitor, assess and report on project implementation and propose corrective action.
.Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical activities under the project, including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.
Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in Tanzania & Pretoria, and other colleagues in the field and HQ, on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project’s components according to the project’s document and work plan. 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.
Ensure high-level communications to increase project’s visibility at the national and international levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with the UN country team, and other key stakeholders, to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance of Dar es Salaam maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole.
Represent the project in various fora, under the guidance of the ILO Director. Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with governments, ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of project /programme activities.
Undertake local resource mobilization activities with the private sector players and governments (both national and Counties) for realization of the Public Private Development partnerships project implementation model. Coordinate resource mobilization activities and new project partnerships, including ILO with constituents.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

A first level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in economics, education, business administration, social sciences, or a related discipline.

Experience

Minimum of five years of relevant experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of multi-stakeholder projects focussing on entrepreneurship, public/private development partnerships, enterprise development or skills development. Experience in resource mobilization especially through engagement with private sector and government agencies at national and county levels will be a must
Technical requirements: good knowledge of Public and Private sector partnerships development, Enterprise development, as well as economic developments, poverty reduction, and Market Systems development.

Languages