Grade: NOA
Vacancy no.: DC/KATHMANDU/NO/2023/02 Publication date: 24 March 2023 Application deadline ( midnight local time): 14 April 2023
Job ID: 10594 Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific Organization Unit: CO-Kathmandu Location: Kathmandu Contract type: FT
Contract duration: 1 year
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 and eligibility criteria.
The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
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
Since its outbreak in 2020, Covid-19 has negatively impacted the national economies, employment, and societies across South Asia. Especially the crisis unveiled the weaknesses of the current labour market structure in South Asian countries, where the informal economy is prevalent in all sectors, and most workers and economic units were little or inadequately protected and put in vulnerable situations.
Recognizing the unprecedented challenges, ILO launched “Building Resilience for the Future of Work and the Post COVID-19” in 2021 with the funding support of the Government of Japan, which extended necessary support and protection for the informal workers and economic units in vulnerable situations, especially focusing on women, and promoted their formalization by collaborating with social partners across South Asia. While the project implemented various actions resulting in achieving the intended outcomes, it has also identified a need for continuous support for the informal workers and economic units. Moreover, the need for further enhancement of the capacity of the social partners and coordination mechanisms among the constituents in addressing decent work deficits and gender inequalities in the informal economy and promoting formalization were also recognized. In response, the Government of Japan expressed its plan to continue providing financial support and establish Phase II of the project for sustaining ongoing works in India, Nepal, and Pakistan, which have been identified as higher-priority countries requiring continuing support.
PRS Phase II project will engage in strengthening the capacity of the social partners in implementing measures to address decent work deficits and gender inequalities in the informal economy and promote formalization and gender-responsive COVID-19 recovery. It will also work to enhance the partnership and coordination mechanisms among the constituents for identifying key policy recommendations and action plans and gain more interest and support from the wider stakeholders, including the general public, on the need to support the vulnerability of informal workers and economic units. The project duration is for three years up to November 2025. Through such initiatives, the project aims to contribute to the reduction of decent work deficits and gender inequalities in the world of work, particularly in the informal economy in Nepal, India, and Pakistan.
In the given context, ILO Nepal is seeking a National Project Coordinator to lead the project implementation in Nepal to support workers and economic units severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic while promoting the transition from the informal to the formal economy and addressing gender inequality in the context of the informal economy.
Reporting lines
The project team comprises a Project Technical Officer (Project Manager), a National Project Coordinator, an Administrative & Finance Assistant based in Nepal, and other project staff in India and Pakistan. Under the overall supervision of the Country Director of ILO Nepal, the National Project Coordinator will report to the Project Technical Officer based in ILO Nepal. S/he will also work closely with the other units of the ILO Nepal office, including the Admin/Finance Unit and Programming Unit, and collaborate with a Gender Specialist in ILO DWT Delhi for technical support and with the project team in Pakistan and India.
Description of Duties
- Organize a consultation with the social partners and identify the areas of support in promoting decent work and formalization among workers and economic units in the informal economy, advancing gender equality, and enhancing women’s representation within the organizations and among their memberships.
- Provide technical support for the social partners in developing, updating, and implementing the plans and measures to address the decent work deficits and promote the formalization of workers and economic units in informal economy, advance gender equality, and enhance women’s representation.
- Develop gender-responsive knowledge products (e.g., case studies, media reports, policy briefs, policy recommendations, etc.) on the need to address decent work deficits and inequalities faced by economic units and workers in vulnerable situations and informal economy. Design and implement awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing campaigns of the knowledge products to stakeholders and the general public.
- Organize meetings and social dialogue workshops among the government and social partners in identifying and documenting key policy recommendations and action plans to address decent work deficits and inequalities and promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and formalization in the COVID-19 recovery. Document the outcomes of social dialogue and strengthening partnerships and disseminate to the relevant stakeholders for knowledge sharing.
- Review and analyze the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports, and other relevant information to identify potential technical cooperation areas.
- Identify the constituents, relevant social partners, and other stakeholders to collaborate as the project implementing partners and provide consultation and support in designing the work plan, the detailed activities, and the budget proposal, considering various approaches and alternative methods.
- Review, verify, and analyze work plans, progress and final reports, and other data submitted by the partners 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 the successful completion of agreed activities.
- Assist in the programming and controlling of project resources, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analyzing and monitoring the situation of resources compared to planned activities, and make recommendations for remedial action.
- Organize and implement conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings relevant to the project activities.
- Undertake missions to project sites whenever needed for the project activities independently or accompanying others.
- Lead the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports, periodic progress reports, and statistical data on the status of the overall activities of the project. Draft, edit, or translate official correspondence, statements, speeches, and other public information materials into the local language.
- Provide technical support and inputs to ILO Nepal’s activities in the area of informal economy. P
- Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director.
Required qualifications
Education
First level university degree in economics, public policies, development studies or a relevant field. An advanced degree on studies on labour economics would be a strong advantage.
Experience
At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy-making and with development partners would be an asset. Experience working at ILO or other UN agencies would be an additional asset.
Technical requirements: Good knowledge of labour economics as well as economic developments, gender issues in the world of work, informality, poverty reduction, and social policies. In-depth understanding of the social security architecture in Nepal. Knowledge of the policy making process.
Languages
Excellent command of English and Nepali languages, both written and spoken.
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 specific countries
- 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 analyze problems with implementation
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
- Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative
- Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
- Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications
- Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
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.