National Project Officer – NOA

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 lasts 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.

The ILO PROSPECTS team in Iraq seeks to recruit a National Officer to support the implementation of planned interventions under phase II of PROSPECTS. Specifically, s/he will directly support the implementation of the Employment Intensive interventions, while also working with the rest of the project team on integrating these interventions with the skills component and other activities under the employment pillar, as appropriate.

Reporting Lines

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

Description of Duties

1. Review and analyse the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information. Identify potential technical cooperation areas and provide written analysis on the findings to the Project Manager.

2. Work in close collaboration with PROSPECTS team and partners to design and revise project annual work plans, as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

3. Review, verify and analyse work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency, and completeness, and monitor the progress of project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.

4. Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.

5. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems and propose solutions and actions.

6. Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities in the area of Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP). Actively participate in and provide inputs to plan and design potential works, selection of implementing partners, monitoring outputs, and supervise works according to the EIIP guidelines and technical approaches at the field level.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. Provide technical support and inputs to implement the ILO planned interventions under pillar four of PROSPECTS on critical infrastructure. Coordinate closely with project partners of joint interventions and programmes.

8. Support and strengthen the linkages between the EIIP components of the project with other PROSPECTS areas such as skills development, and other interventions under pillar 2 (employment).

9. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

10. Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate into local language official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials.

11. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project.

12. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the PROSPECTS Iraq Project Manager.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in engineering, or a relevant field.

Experience

At least one year of professional experience at the at the same level implementing and/or supporting development projects. At least two years of experience in working effectively in labour intensive programmes. Proven experience in working with government bodies in charge of green works projects through EIIP approaches will be a strong advantage.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of engineering projects, as well as relevant skills and vocational training and development, governmental regulations, and green works. Knowledge of the labour-intensive concepts.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of Arabic and Kurdish 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: Customer Orientation, Communications, Collaboration

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures, and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Iraq.
• Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations.
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyse problems with implementation.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information.
• Demonstrate collaborative and teamwork experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, as well as to work on his/her own initiative.

Competencies (continued)

• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

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.