Programme Officer

Organizational Setting

This position is located in the ILO Country Office-Addis Ababa.

ILO CO Addis Ababa is responsible for advancing the Decent Work Agenda and ILO core priorities in the Africa Union and respective organs, as well as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The Office is also responsible for enhancing advocacy and visibility of ILO regional work with regional Addis Ababa based institutions and supporting multi-stakeholder partnerships to implement the SDGs and Agenda 2063 of the AU as well as the Abidjan Declaration on “Advancing Social Justice: Shaping the future of work in Africa”.

Main Purpose

As a team member, the incumbent provides professional services for the efficient, effective and client-oriented delivery and administration of a range of programming activities. These services cover programming and administrative support in the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programmes and projects in selected technical areas Work is governed by established rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines and includes the use of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM).

The position works under the supervision of the Director, CO-Addis Ababa. Day-to-day work requires minimum supervision. Detailed instructions and guidance are provided for special assignments or the handling of unusual or complex matters. The incumbent will receive technical supervision and backstopping support from relevant technical specialist at CO-Addis, the Regional Office for Africa, Decent Work Teams, the Bureaux for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) and Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), as required and HQ, as appropriate.

Working Relationships

Internal contacts are with staff and managers in field offices, project locations and headquarters to maintain effective working relationships, exchange information and obtain assistance on programming matters. The incumbent regularly liaises with and receives guidance from the Regional Programming Unit.

External contacts are primarily with counterparts in government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, United Nations (UN) agencies and other international organizations and donors to exchange information and obtain assistance on programming matters.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide professional services for an identified set of programming services. Provide inputs for developing country operations plans for overall compliance with regional and global strategic priorities as well as with programming instructions. Conduct basic research and analysis and draft components of reports and presentations for situation analyses at the national level.
• Provide timely, accurate and pertinent information on programme and budget matters for operational decision-making purposes through the strategic use of the results-based management. Use baselines, milestones and indicators to measure, analyse and report on performance. Monitor and verify accuracy of programming data.
• Participate in the assessment of country development plans and priorities. Contribute to the design and setting of programme objectives within the framework of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and stated priorities and outcomes. Stay abreast of the political and socio-economic situation and propose actions in response to new and emerging operational challenges.
• Participate in missions to monitor and report on programme implementation. Identify issues and propose corrective actions.

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• Work in cooperation with external partners and technical specialists in the preparation of draft Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Ensure MoUs are consistent with requirements and timelines for project implementation. Request and follow up on the timely submission of progress reports and raise areas of concern with concerned parties.
• Participate in interagency fora and meetings with a view to identifying areas of common interest.
• Keep abreast of changes to applicable standards and best practices. Share knowledge and provide guidance to staff. Oversee and guide the work of staff performing programme-related work. Supervise staff as applicable.
• Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of work methods and processes and make recommendations for improvements. Liaise closely with staff and managers to ensure effective and smooth service design and delivery, recommending improvements on interrelated processes.
• Provide inputs to support the Office’s communication activities.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education

University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a field relevant to the job.

Experience

Minimum of two years of professional work experience in programme and/or project planning, monitoring, implementation and evaluation activities.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of Amharic.

Knowledge and Competencies (technical/behavioural)

• Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts.
• Knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
• Knowledge of resource mobilization.
• Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
• Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.

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In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:

• Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Research and analytical skills.
• Drafting skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.