National Project Officer – NOA (DC)

Job Description

Grade: NOA 

Vacancy no.: CAIRO/DC/NO/2023/01
Publication date: 20 March 2023
Application deadline (midnight Cairo local time): 10 April 2023

Job ID: 10563 
Department: RO-Africa 
Organization Unit: DWT/CO-Cairo 
Location: Cairo   
Contract type: Fixed Term 

Contract duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of fund) 

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates* 

*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment criteria.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade. 

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The last decade has witnessed numerous changes and challenges in the MENA region. Conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen, as well as the political unrest in some areas of East Africa continue to force refugees and asylum seekers to migrate to countries like Egypt, where many refugees and migrants have been living for years in protracted displacement including large numbers of children, adolescents and youth.  Along the years they have been subject to vulnerabilities, social protection issues, and labour market integration challenges.  Their challenges include barriers to residency and secure stay, difficulties to access work permits, access to education and training and access to employment services.

On the other hand, Egyptian youth are facing socio-economic challenges within the Egyptian market with a good portion of the young people are aspiring for migration seeking better socio-economic opportunities in foreign markets.

This can be attributed to the structural and cyclical challenges in the labour market with key impediments including gender disparities in accessing the labour market, lack of job creation and a week business environment.   Unemployment has been a growing challenge facing Egyptian youth, with specific intensity among females. 

The Covid-19 Pandemic has added to the labour market lack of equilibrium where employers and employment opportunities were limited to scaled up competencies, leaving the vulnerable portion of the society under the mercy of low wage, non-secured and short-term jobs. 

The Project has been designed to provide youth whether Egyptian youth, young migrants or refugees access to better livelihoods and chances of better opportunities in the labour market through employability and entrepreneurial skills.  Currently, the project is in its inception phase to put foundations for cohesive and solid portfolio of interventions to support Youth across the vulnerable communities.

Youth for Future

The objective of the project is to improve the livelihood opportunities and strengthen the socio- economic resilience of young migrants, refugees and Egyptian youth in host communities through improved policy frameworks, employability skills, career prospects and inclusive youth centres.  Jointly implementing the project, the ILO and UNICEF, will be using a three-pronged approaches that combine skills development and career guidance services at the individual (micro) level with capacity development of key stakeholders at the institutional (meso) level and policy engagement and awareness raising on the national (macro) level.  All activities are conducted in coordination with social partners, with the tripartite structures in consideration.

REPORTING LINE

The incumbent will perform duties under the overall responsibility of the DWT/Cairo Country Director and the direct supervision of the Youth for Future Senior National Project Coordinator. The incumbent will also receive guidance from Youth specialists in the regional Office

Description of Duties

1.   In coordination with the Project Coordinator, assess policy frameworks, labour market trends and employment priorities in Egypt for Egyptian youth and refugees to inform and design project interventions

2.    Support effective implementation of the project through: the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Deliveries and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programmes, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the project coordinator and ILO CO Cairo.

3.    Support the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the project, in accordance with ILO rules and regulations.

4.    Provide support to relevant government ministries, ILO social partners and other key national and international partners, in close collaboration with the project coordinator, ILO DWT/CO Cairo, and HQ units as relevant.

5.    Support efforts to strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with government ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, other development organizations, target groups and donors in the planning and implementation of programme activities.

6.    Provide inputs in the design and support for capacity building of project partners to facilitate knowledge, awareness and smoother implementation of skills development programmes and initiatives.

7.    Support the coordination of project implementation including through discussions with project implementing partners, field visits, development and analysis of progress reports, and participation in reviews and evaluations determining targets delivery

8.    Support efforts as required and in consultation with the Project Coordinator to ensure the meaningful engagement of the ILO in areas of planning, implementation and follow-up to the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), including participation in and contribution to relevant working groups, committees, forums and networks relating to these initiatives and strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with the national refugee authority and UNHCR in line with the ILO-UNHCR MOU and joint action plan and its follow-up.

9.    In consultation with the project coordinator, support efforts to develop information database covering programme activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programmes.

10.    Identify training needs of partners and, in consultation with the PM, organize and deliver training workshops for tripartite partners and target groups as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

11.    Attend field level meetings related to the project as well as other related meetings with other UN agencies, donors field visits and thematic donor meetings, district level and regional forums as well as Sector meetings of tripartite partners.

12.    Any other duties as assigned by the management

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in social sciences, economics or in another field of study relevant to this job.

Experience

At least two (02) years of professional experience at the national level in the area of skills development, project design, coordination and implementation. Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures, including experience working with the United Nations, Ministries of Labour, Youth and Sports, Education, or other ministerial departments and governmental agencies. Experience working in refugees’ settings is an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English language  and good knowledge of Arabic.

Competencies

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:‎

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency ‎by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within ‎the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.‎
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project’s objectives, and to ‎design and synthesise strategies for project’s development.‎
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.‎
• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.‎
• Ability to promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office.‎
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate ‎reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.‎
• Excellent computer/information application skills, including word processing, excel, power ‎point etc.‎
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or ‎environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, ‎requirements or cultures.‎
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and ‎non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.‎
• Ability to identify and analyse information needs and classify them according to ILO ‎standards.‎
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.‎
• Ability to foster effective two-way communication, understanding, manage and ‎disseminate information to a varied audience.

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered 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.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account – @ilo.org – should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

Disclaimer:

• Only those candidates that are short-listed for assessment will be contacted
• Candidates who pass the interview and have good capabilities as may be recommended by the panel, may get selected for similar positions
• The Office reserves to itself the right to appoint candidates at a level below the level of the advertised post depending on their experience
• Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable for this position can also be offered to be assigned on a TEMPORARY position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position