National Project Coordinator - NOA (DC) (two positions)

Introduction

The position is located in the new ILO Country Office in Ukraine based in Kyiv. The Country Office continues the roll-out the different projects while it implements the ILO Transitional Cooperation Strategy for Ukraine 2024-25. The National Project Officer/s will be part of the project team implementing the project “Childcare in Ukraine: A systems approach to building back better” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The project focuses on two strategic objectives: 1) Expansion of childcare services through better engagement of private sector and 2) Enhance legal and policy framework and facilitate access to childcare options, enabling women to (re)join the workforce. The project work is at the national, sectoral and local levels, focusing on the regions of Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Chernihiv. The position will support the successful implementation and delivery of the project outcomes. The position entails frequent travels to the above-mentioned regions.

National Project Coordinator will contribute to planning, designing, implementation and reporting of results of the project activities implementation. She/he will support the constituents and other stakeholders to implement selected outputs to achieve outcomes of the project workplan; and will apply MRM in the design, planning, implementation and reporting of entrusted outputs: including but not exclusively on outcomes related to expansion of childcare services through better engagement of private sector and enhance legal and policy framework and facilitate access to childcare options, enabling women to (re)join the workforce.

Reporting lines

The National Project Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Project Manager (PM). The position is under the overall supervision of the Country Office Director and direct supervision of the Project Manager.

Description of Duties

Main duties and responsibilities
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 Country Director.

2.    Work in close collaboration with project constituents and stakeholders and support them in the implementation, monitoring and reporting in one or more of the following outcome areas: piloting and expansion of the work-based childcare services, piloting and expansion of the alternative childcare services, formalisation of informal childcare work. 
3.    Support with the development of concept notes, project proposals, design and revise project annual work plans, as well as preparation of the budgets, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution. This is incudes parts of the 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.

4.    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. 

5.    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. Collaborate with Technical Units in HQ Geneva and DWT/CO-Budapest with regards to activities requiring technical expertise.

6.    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. 

7.    Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities in the area of childcare, relevant reforms and strategies. Actively participate in and provide inputs to project activities implementation.

8.    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.

9.    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. 

10.    Prepare briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project. 

11.    Support the preparation of terms of references, bids’ packages, payment and reporting documentation. This includes but is not limited to Identifying national/international consultants, implementing partners and service providers for project implementation and keeping tracking sheets on timely deliverables. 

12.    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.

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.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of the project management cycle. Understanding of the policy making process.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian and English, both oral and written.

Competencies

Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures.
•    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 teamwork experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, as well as to 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.
•    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.