Project/Program Technical Officer - P3

Introduction

The International Labour Organization Country Office for Zimbabwe (CO-Harare) based in Harare is seeking applicants to fill the above vacant post to be stationed in Namibia.

Introduction: Within the context of the UN Secretary-General’s initiative on the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, ILO, UNDP and FAO with UNICEF as contributing organisations in partnership with the Ministry of Labor, Industrial Relations and Employment, the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land of the Government of Namibia are implementing the UN Joint Programme (JP) “Agri-Systems transformation through biomass processing for decent job creation and extension of social protection”. 

The JP is anchored in the transformative role of the agriculture with its potential for job creation and the extension of social protection. It focuses on the biomass sector considering its emergence as a new source of growth in Namibia, with a potential to unlock novel inter-institutional partnerships and innovative financing and expand value-chains for economic transformation. It targets vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups mainstreaming the human rights-based approach; leveraging policy and regulatory changes, building capacity, and supporting market-ready projects in a manner that integrates the three dimensions of sustainable development. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people are expected to benefit from the JP. 

The JP adopts a 2-tiered and integrated approach firstly supporting at the national level the i) strengthening of institutional capacities to coordinate and implement integrated policies for job creation and universal social protection; and ii) channelling financing towards expanded social protection and job creation for just transitions. Secondly, by targeting interventions at the community and subnational level of the biomass value chain, inclusive of farmers, harvesters, MSMEs, business associations and local government leadership, towards enhancing linkages for continental and global value chains of biomass end-products and investments. 

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Through multilateral cooperation, the JP will explore and unlock new partnerships for delivery of diversified, innovative, and integrated financial sources and services to MSMEs in biomass and agriculture, paving the way for replication to other regions and into more labour-absorbing sectors. The JP is a stepping stone towards implementation of Namibia’s National Roadmap for implementation of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and will contribute to the following priority areas
i.    Coordination of employment creation - place employment creation at the centre of planning and programmes for socio-economic development
ii.    Youth employment and entrepreneurship - create sustainable decent employment for youth and  reverse the high rate of youth unemployment.
iii.    Expansion of social protection coverage - introduce effective social protection in the areas of old age/disability pensions and unemployment, and to investigate the strengthening and expansion of maternity protection and 
iv.    Formulation of a national formalization strategy - to develop a national strategy for formalization of enterprises and jobs.

Institutional Arrangements: This Joint Programme will be implemented under the leadership of Government of Republic of Namibia (GRN) within the existing coordination mechanisms.  The lead Government agencies are the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, and the National Planning Commission. To facilitate smooth implementation and oversight of the JP, a Steering Committee and a Joint Programme Team will be put in place.

In view of the above, the ILO seeks the services of an experienced Programme Technical Officer to effectively  provide support to coordinate, and technically and administratively support the implementation of the UN-JP initiative.  

The incumbent will collaborate directly with the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment and on a day-to-day basis, the incumbent will work closely with the respective PUNOs in Namibia under the supervision of the Director for the ILO Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia (CO-Harare) and will periodically update the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN- Country Team (UNCT) in Namibia on the implementation of UN-JP and support to the implementation of National Roadmap for Global Accelerator in Namibia.

Reporting lines: The ILO is the technical Lead UN Agency of the Joint Programme:  Agri-Systems transformation through biomass processing for decent job creation and the extension of social protection’. The  Programme Technical Officer will provide direct programme management, coordination and technical and administrative support to the JP and will contribute to its expected outcomes.

The Programme Technical Officer will report to the Director of the ILO Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia (CO Harare). He/she will work under general supervision and with direct technical backstopping from technical specialists in the DWT/CO Pretoria in the fields of Social Protection and Employment. Technical inputs and support will also be provided by colleagues in the Universal Social Protection Department and the Employment Policy Department of the ILO, which are co-ordinating the Global Accelerator, as need arises.  

Description of Duties

Programme Coordination:
i.    Provide support to coordinate the implementation of the UN Joint Programme:  Agri-Systems transformation through biomass processing for decent job creation and the extension of social protection. Support PUNOs to prepare, execute and monitor results of the integrated workplan, ensuring timely and efficient coordination and delivery of programme components, outputs and budget and monitoring and evaluation of the project activities in conformity with ILO/SDGF policies, project strategies, programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.
ii.    Provide support to coordinate the overall operations, ensuring the effective delivery of programme components and ensure timely reporting to Sustainable Development Goals Fund and UNCT on programme results and activities on all the components of the JD achieved by all PUNO’s.  Support PUNO’s to collate relevant information reflecting JP’s Results Framework with relevant indicators and more granular data reflecting project activities and expected results. 
iii.    Liaise with UNRCO on matters related to reporting to UN SDGF Secretariat and preparation and coordination of the UNJP Steering Committee meetings, Global Accelerator Steering Committee meetings.  Prepare background documents for these meetings and meeting minutes.
iv.    Participate and act as the focal point for the ILO at the UN JP in the inter-agency coordination and implementation processes of the One UN Country Team and engage in policy dialogue in local and international forums and ensure the implementation of the programme deliverables in collaboration with the relevant backstopping technical backstopping from PUNOs and UNCRO.
v.    Serve as the focal point for Social Protection/Employment issues in Namibia in collaboration with the Employment and Social Protection Specialists in DWT/CO Pretoria.
vi.    Promote the inclusion of gender equality, non-discrimination, international labour standards and social dialogue in all aspects of the project.
Technical Support:
i.    Provide policy advisory services to PUNOs, constituents and other national and regional institutions in the field of integrated approaches to employment and social protection / social security, with an emphasis on employment and social protection systems financing and approaches to formalization, in close collaboration with technical specialists in the DWT/CO-Pretoria.
ii.    Provide technical support to UN JP partners and constituents in Namibia, on institutional strengthening and implementation of National Roadmap for implementation of the Global Accelerator, taking into account LNOB principles, application of human rights instruments ratified by Namibia and the application of International Labour Standards (ILS).
iii.    Draft and review reports, publications and materials prepared by UNJP, in close collaboration with the PUNO’s, DWT-CO Pretoria and the ILO Social Protection and Employment Departments to ensure that country and regional products feed the production of global products. 

Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships:

i.    Support the conceptualisation and organisation of national round tables on topics identified as priorities for implementation of National Roadmap for implementation of the Global Accelerator.

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ii.    Ensure the dissemination of products of the programme.
iii.    Support the strengthening of partnerships with the relevant government ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups, and donors in the planning and implementation of activities of the JP, including by leveraging opportunities for collaboration.
iv.    Support the strengthening of relationships and foster cooperation with governmental and non-governmental partners, UN agencies, and donors to enhance the impact of social protection and employment initiatives.
v.    Collaborate on evidence collection and lessons-learned from other countries, including promoting best practices sharing and peer learning through drafting, review and dissemination of case- studies.
Capacity Building:
i.    Draft concepts notes for technical workshops/webinars/side events and resource mobilization for the UN-JP (GA).
ii.    Support the development of capacities within the team and among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of UNJP.
iii.    Organize, assist and facilitate technical workshops to build capacity in integrated policies on employment, social protection and just transitions for the actors involved in implementation of National Roadmap for Global Accelerator Implementation.

 Resource Mobilization:

i.    Support PUNO efforts in securing financial and technical resources necessary for the continuity and expansion of initiatives under National Roadmap for Global Accelerator, in collaboration with the UN RCO.
ii.    Draft and provide inputs into documents, concept and discussion notes with government and development partners.
iii.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics, public finance or social sciences with demonstrated focus on employment or social protection issues.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

 At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the field of employment promotion or social protection system strengthening and financing. This includes:
 
•     Proven experience in supporting the backstopping of complex multi-stakeholder projects assisting Government’s reform agenda.
•    Proven experience in conducting policy analysis and applied research demonstrated by (co)authored analytical briefs and policy papers.
•    Experience of working in and with developing countries, including in Africa and with officials of ministries of labour, social protection or finance and social partners would be an advantage.

Languages

Languages:
•    Excellent command of English required.
•    Knowledge of a local language would be an advantage.

Competencies

•    Good knowledge of current global debates and body of knowledge related to employment creation and social protection. Good knowledge of international labour standards.
•    Capacity to coordinate, share information and support negotiations across various groups of stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of large and complex initiatives
•    Excellent analytical skills and strong ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative research methods.
•    Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, and policy briefs and present them at high-level meetings.
•    Ability to commission research and monitor and coordinate the work of external collaborators and other staff.
•    Ability to organise and participate in technical missions and liaise with programme partners, social partners, government officials, development partners and public development banks:
•    Ability to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
•    Excellent written and oral communication and drafting skills.
•    Excellent organisational skills.
•    Good computer skills (MS Word Office package) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
•    Capacity to manage multi-task projects and various assignments with short deadlines. 
•    Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines
•    Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely and take initiative and responsibility 
•    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

Commission research, draft terms of reference for research consultants and monitor and coordinate their work.

UN Related Requirements: 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.

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