Regional Chief Technical Adviser

Introduction

The ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crises, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. It employs a holistic approach whereby each partner focuses on their area of expertise to collaboratively enhance access to education, protection schemes and decent jobs for both forcibly displaced persons and host communities. The partnership spans eight countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan and Uganda. 

A second phase of the partnership started in 2024 and will last until end 2027, building on strategic areas of intervention and maximizing impact from phase one. In the Arab States, PROSPECTS operates in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

Within the framework of the PROSPECTS partnership in the Arab States region, ILO’s focus is on enhancing resilience of the labour markets and creating better livelihoods and employment opportunities for both host communities and Syrian refugees. It is doing so by promoting the development of market relevant skills (Education and Learning Pillar); enhancing employment placement services and labour market governance, and promoting micro, small and medium sized enterprises, as well as sectors with potential for decent job creation (Employment and Economic Inclusion Pillar); and strengthening social protection schemes (Protection Pillar).

In Lebanon, the ILO is launching multiple interventions across the programme’s three pillars, guided by the reform agenda of the new government, emerging priorities of the social partners and needs of the beneficiaries. In parallel, the latest political and economic developments in Syria are shaping new dynamics in Lebanon and the region at large and creating real prospects for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their country. In this context, the ILO is engaged in developing several new initiatives to promote durable solutions for Syrian refugees, including under the PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund and a complementary new EU-funded programme, under which it is joining forces with UNHCR and IOM.

The Regional CTA will oversee the strategic engagement of the ILO with other UN organizations and development partners in the PROSPECTS programme and in promoting durable solutions in the Arab States region, while being responsible for managing the ILO PROSPECTS programme in Lebanon. S/He will closely coordinate with the ILO PROSPECTS Country CTAs in Jordan and Iraq to ensure a coordinated technical and programmatic approach to forced displacement and durable solutions in the region.

The Regional CTA will oversee the work of the ILO PROSPECTS Lebanon and Durable Solutions teams, comprising both international and national staff, and any other international and local consultants hired during the course of the projects. S/He will further provide strategic guidance to the new IOM//HCR/ILO programme to be funded by the EU, with country-level coordinators in Lebanon and Syria.

Reporting: The incumbent will be based in the ILO Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) and will report to the ILO Deputy Regional Director as First Line Manager and the PROSPECTS Global Chief Technical Adviser as Matrix Manager. The incumbent will also benefit from technical backstopping provided by the relevant specialists within the Decent Work Team in ROAS and HQ. S/He will also closely liaise with the ILO Syria Country Coordinator on all durable solutions interventions inside Syria. 

Description of Duties

Project Management:

1. Responsible for conducting, planning, developing and coordinating the implementation of the ILO PROSPECTS programme in Lebanon and Durable Solutions interventions in the region as part of the wider ILO response to forced displacement, through: timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the programme activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programmes and administrative and financial procedures.

1. Manage funds/budgets allocated to the projects and ensure the preparation of periodic progress reports for submission in accordance with the established rules and procedures. Ensure that key risks are identified, assessed, documented and managed to contribute to the achievement of agreed results and that risk management is embedded in core processes and functions.

1. Manage efficiently the human resources of the ILO PROSPECTS Lebanon and Durable Solutions programme teams, including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the work of officials working under the projects.

Technical Leadership and Advice

1. Review, analyse and interpret economic, social and political trends in the region. Provide inputs related to trends or developments for which further research and programme development work is needed to promote durable solutions for refugees and support reintegration of returnees in the Syrian labour market.

1. Provide technical expertise and advice to the project teams and when required to the ILO constituents, project implementing partners and other key institutions. Ensure that technical interventions and decisions are well founded and take into account the specific nature of the programme objectives. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the projects.

Description of Duties (continued)

Advocacy, Networking, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

1. Develop and maintain excellent relations with governments, ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of project activities.

1. Liaise and coordinate with all relevant stakeholders, PROSPECTS partners, the wider UN and multilateral systems and donors at national and regional level to promote ILO values and establish synergies with other interventions as part of the wider UN frameworks in Lebanon and in relation to promoting durable solutions for Syrian refugees and returnees. Increase the projects’ visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO's interventions.

1. Coordinate and, to the extent feasible, ensure joint delivery of outputs in cooperation with other ILO projects and interventions responding to forced displacement in Lebanon and promoting durable solutions in Syria.

1. Oversee and monitor the design, development and presentation of proposals for new projects, and contribute to further resource mobilization in coordination with the other responsible ILO officials in the Regional Office in Beirut.

Knowledge Management

1. Ensure the development of information databases and periodic and ad-hoc reports, and communication materials of all ILO activities covered under PROSPECTS Multi Annual Country Programmes (MACP) and the Durable Solutions interventions under the PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund.

1. Support global PROSPECTS efforts to reinforce learning, knowledge sharing and institutionalisation of forced displacement response across ILO strategic plans and programmes through contributing to inter-country, regional and global engagement.
2. Identify training needs and lead training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

1. Represent the ILO in the PROSPECTS Lebanon Country Team and in all relevant meetings, seminars and evaluations, in coordination with government policymakers, workers’ and employers’ organizations and civil society organizations.

1. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the direct supervisors.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, development studies, social sciences, management, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years of relevant experience in the management of complex development cooperation projects of large size and teams, of which at least seven years at the international level. At least four years demonstrated expertise in managerial positions, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound field experience, and knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Work experience in multi-partners/joint UN programmes is an asset. Work experience in the Arab region is an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Arabic will be an advantage. 

Competencies

Professionalism: Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Experience in mentoring staff and in coordinating their work.

Accountability: takes ownership of all responsibilities and commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.

Leadership: serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; demonstrate knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Vision: identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks clearly communicates links between the organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Behavioural competencies:

Ability to prioritize work and meet strict deadlines. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners. Ability to negotiate. Ability to take initiatives.

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 advocate and provide policy advice.

Ability to develop training strategies, design training materials, and formulate alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings.

Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.

Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments, social partners and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.

Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.

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.

Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.

The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be 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.