National Project Coordinator – NOB

Introduction

The ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crisis, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Bank. The partnership spans eight countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda.

The PROSPECTS Partnership in Iraq supports the national agenda for promoting inclusion and socio-economic development for forcibly displaced and host communities, whilst working closely with local partners to identify, maximize, and realize opportunities on the ground. While interventions are implemented in the governorates of Nineveh and Duhok, the PROSPECTS partners work collectively on institutional capacity building and systems strengthening at the national level.

ILO’s efforts in this partnership focus on supporting Iraqi host communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as Syrian refugees to access more and better livelihoods ad decent job opportunities. It is doing so through integrated approach, which includes supporting market-driven skills training, improving public employment services, implementing employment intensive approaches, and promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. A second phase of the partnership has started in January 2024 and last until end of 2027, building on the results and lessons learnt and maximizing impact.

The ILO interventions with the PROSPECTS programme are aligned with the ILO’s Decent Work Country Programme in Iraq agreed with the tripartite constituents and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and includes cooperation with the PROSPECTS partners. key policy

priority for the PROSPECTS Phase II is increased self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion of FDPs and host community members. In this regard, PROSPECTS will provide capacity-building and support to relevant stakeholders in Iraq for an inclusive implementation of the National Employment Policy (NEP), businesses formalization, TVET reform, and other policy priorities in coordination with both the Federal Government and Kurdistan Region Government of Iraq.

Introduction (continued)

The ILO PROSPECTS team in Iraq seeks to recruit a National Coordinator to support the implementation of planned interventions under the relevant pillars of PROSPECTS with focus on the policy work engagement and upstream activities related to the national employment policy and advocacy to support transition of Iraqi host communities and forcibly displaced people (FDPs) to employment. S/he will be providing technical support and ensuring close coordination with relevant governmental partners in Baghdad under PROSPECTS interventions. The incumbent will also work towards enhancing collaboration, facilitating effective communication, and promoting constructive engagement with tripartite constituents, on international labour standards and labour laws, in line with the legislative reforms and development frameworks of the Government of Iraq supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). 

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be based at the ILO office in Baghdad with frequent travel to the targeted governorates under PROSPECTS. S/he will report to the PROSPECTS Project Manager in Iraq based in Erbil and overall supervision of the Country Coordinator in Iraq. Technical backstopping will be provided by the Chief Technical Advisor of PROSPECTS in the Arab States. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the relevant Decent Work Team specialists at the Regional Office, the PROSPECTS team and the ILO’s projects team in Iraq.

Description of Duties

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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; and closely liaise with the PROSPECTS partners to expedite implementation and meet targets.

4. Provide or ensure access to legal and policy advice to the government and the social partners on policy advocacy issues related to promoting smooth transition to employment and implementation of the National Employment Policy as well as effective implementation of the fundamental principles and rights at work, with a particular emphasis on freedom of association and collective bargaining.

5. Organize national seminars and workshops, training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding and operationalization of the key policy priorities of PROSPECTS.

Description of Duties (continued)

6. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on fundamental rights at work.

7. Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers’ and workers’ organizations in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.

8. Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical activities under the project, including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.

9. Represent the project in various fora, meetings, and conferences, under the guidance of the PROSPECTS Iraq Project Manager.

10. Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in the regional office of Arab States, and other colleagues in the field and HQ, on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.

11. 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.

Description of Duties (continued)

12. Responsible for the effective administrative management of the project, including guidance and supervision of the personnel assigned to the project.

13. 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, PROSPECTS partners, and other key stakeholders, to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance Iraq ILO Office. Maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole.

14. Other related duties as assigned by PROSPECTS Iraq Project Manager.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, labour law and international labour law, social sciences, or related field, and strong knowledge on development issues particularly in Iraq. Advance degree on studies on labour standards or labour standards is a strong advantage.

Experience

At least three years of experience at the national level in area of employment policies, labour rights, labour law, legislative revisions, developing policy guidelines and project planning, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation activities.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of Iraqi labour law, employment policies, as well as economic developments, poverty reduction, and social policies. Good Knowledge and experience of the policy making process.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of Arabic (written and spoken) and a good knowledge of English.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position:

• Good knowledge about social and economic development, including labour and employment trends in the country.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organizations.
• Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
• Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
• Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.

Competencies (continued)

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
• Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
• Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
• Ability to train and guide personnel.
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in diversified environments.
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.