Technical Programme Officer

Introduction

Large mixed migration movements continue to top the global political agenda, reflected in the 2016 UN New York Declaration, and remain at the forefront of concerns, discussions and collaboration across the multilateral system and beyond. These movements create considerable challenges for countries of first asylum, transit, destination and origin, including impacts on socio-economic environments and labour markets of host countries, particularly where these may already be under pressure with high unemployment. As displacement has become increasingly protracted, responses are becoming more focused on durable solutions that support dignified, inclusive and comprehensive programmes for refugees and the communities that host them, facilitating self-reliance, empowerment and social cohesion.

In this context, the Government of the Netherlands has supported the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme (hereinafter “the programme”), built on the combined strengths, experience and values of specific development and humanitarian organizations, to develop a new paradigm in responding to forced displacement crises. Partners include the Government of the Netherlands, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the ILO, UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Bank. The programme aims to: (1) enhance the enabling environment for the socio-economic inclusion of forcibly displaced persons; (2) enhance access to education and child protection for vulnerable children on the move; and (3) strengthen the resilience of host communities through inclusive socio-economic development that also benefits forcibly displaced persons (FDPs).

As a regional element of the multi-year PROSPECTS Partnership Programme: Improving Prospects for Host Communities and Forcibly Displaced Persons in Kenya (Opportunity Fund Phase 2), the project “Shared Responsibility, Shared Solutions: Expanding Sustainable Return and Third-Country Solutions for Displaced Communities in the East and Horn of Africa” works with the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat and EAC Partner States to strengthen regional frameworks for the recognition of skills and qualifications, support the design and piloting of a portable Skills Passport solution, and advance protection and social protection frameworks; including refugees’ access to rights under the EAC Common Market Protocol and inclusion of FDPs and returnees in national social protection systems. The project is also informed by emerging regional dynamics, including increased voluntary return and reintegration movements of refugees and related labour market and mobility implications across the East African Community.

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The position is based at the East African Community Secretariat in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania. The main role of the position is to provide coordination and technical support for the implementation of the EAC regional component of the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme, working closely with the EAC Secretariat, EAC Partner State institutions, ILO constituents and other regional and national stakeholders, and in close collaboration with relevant ILO technical teams and units; including the PROSPECTS country teams, the Decent Work Team for Eastern and Southern Africa (DWT Pretoria), the ILO Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) and relevant HQ, in line with the ILO-EAC cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ILO and the EAC (19 April 2018), which provides a framework for cooperation across labour and employment, social security, social dialogue and industrial sectors. 

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Partnership Programme, the Technical Programme Officer will assist the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) based in Nairobi, in the issues relating to the day-to-day management of all components of programme implementation, providing technical support and assistance for the implementation of objectives, outputs and activities in conformity of relevant international labour standards related to refugees access and rights at work.
 

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) of the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme; Shared Responsibility, Shared Solutions project, and under the overall responsibility of the Director of the ILO Country Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Additional technical support and collaboration will be provided by relevant technical specialists in the Pretoria, ROAF, and relevant HQ departments.

The Officer works in close collaboration with relevant EAC Secretariat units, as well as with EAC Partner State line ministries, ILO constituents (employers’ and workers’ organizations) at regional and national levels, other PROSPECTS partner agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, World Bank, IFC).

Description of Duties

Programme Management and Implementation

• Assist the CTA in the implementation of the EAC regional component of the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme (Phase 2 OF), through the provision of technical inputs, planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities, and assisting in managing assigned funds and budget in line with the agreed work plan and Output-Based Budget (OBB).
• Support the coordination and day-to-day working relationship with the EAC — including its units on education and training, employment, labour mobility, social protection and free movement of persons — as well as with EAC Partner State institutions, social partners, civil society organisations and other humanitarian and development partners.
• Support the EAC Secretariat and Partner States in advancing implementation of approved regional policies and strategies relevant to FDPs, returnees and host communities (including the EAC Regional Social Protection Policy, Labour Migration Policy, and Refugee Management Strategy/Policy), and support implementation of ILO-EAC cooperation under the 2018 MoU, including finalization of the East African Decent Work Programme (EADWP).

Technical Support

• Support the strengthening of regional frameworks for the recognition of skills and qualifications to support FDPs’ labour market integration, including gap analysis of TVET-level recognition frameworks, finalization of the EAC Qualifications Framework (QF), and development of Occupational Standards, in coordination with the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF).
• Support the mapping of regional labour market and skills-supply data, the organisation of a regional dialogue on Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), and support the design and piloting of a portable Skills Passport solution for FDPs, including identification of funding windows.
• Support action-oriented research and high-level policy dialogue on regional durable solutions for FDPs — including approaches inspired by Kenya’s labour-market inclusion (“opt-out”) model — and support implementation of the EAC Refugee Management Policy, in light of ongoing return and reintegration dynamics in the region.

Coordination, Partnerships and Regional Engagement

• Under the supervision of the CTA, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with the EAC Secretariat, EAC Partner State authorities and relevant regional bodies (e.g. IGAD, ICGLR ) on refugee inclusion, labour mobility and durable solutions, ensuring coordination with national-level PROSPECTS interventions and other regional ILO programmes.
• Coordinate with UNHCR and other PROSPECTS partners and participate in relevant regional working groups and platforms to avoid duplication of effort, promote ILO values and the Decent Work Agenda, and mainstream gender equality and non-discrimination across the project.

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Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Prepare timely technical progress reports against the work plan and OBB, and support monitoring and evaluation of programme activities in collaboration with the CTA, EAC Secretariat and relevant technical specialists.
• Document lessons learned and contribute to knowledge products and research — including policy recommendation papers on the regional skills and qualifications agenda — informing regional and country-level analysis on decent work for refugees, FDPs and host communities.

Resource Mobilization

• Support the CTA in developing and presenting proposals for new projects building on the EAC regional agenda, and contribute to resource mobilisation in coordination with ILO CO-Dar es Salaam, PARDEV/PARTNERSHIPS and relevant donors.
• Undertake missions in relation to programme implementation, as required.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the direct supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, development studies, social sciences, law, public administration, international trade and regional integration, relations or another relevant field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the fields, or another relevant field, together 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 five years of relevant professional experience, including at the international level, in one of these areas, forced displacement, skills development, decent work and employment promotion, and/or regional economic integration. Experience working with Regional Economic Communities (RECs), at REC Secretariat or  Partner State level, and coordinating or implementing regional-level policy and technical activities, will be an added advantage.

Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures, and experience working with regional bodies, United Nations agencies, ministries of labour, education and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies, would be an advantage, as would experience working on durable solutions for refugees, returnees and host communities.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Given the EAC region includes a Francophone member state (Burundi), a good working knowledge of French is an advantage

Competencies

• Good knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches relating to regional integration, labour mobility, skills recognition and portability, social protection, and durable solutions for forcibly displaced persons and host communities.
• Knowledge of the substantive nature of the Organization’s work programmes and activities, and of EAC regional institutional structures and processes.
• Ability to provide technical advice and policy guidance, and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, consultants and project staff in the areas covered by the project.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the EAC Secretariat, EAC Partner States, ILO social partners, PROSPECTS partner agencies and other regional and international partners, and to work effectively in a tripartite context.
• Ability to draft policy-oriented research, reports, guidelines and knowledge products relating to programme development and implementation, with good drafting and analytical skills.
• Ability to support the design and delivery of capacity-building and training activities, including in collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITC-ILO) and other partners.
• Excellent knowledge of technical cooperation principles, concepts and techniques, and demonstrated ability to perform complex analyses across a range of factors, requirements, policies and priorities for project assessment and implementation.
• Ability to plan and organize work, manage competing priorities, and provide guidance to project staff and partners.
• Ability to mobilize resources, including through the development of project proposals and donor engagement.
• Good computer/IT application skills, including information collection, management and dissemination.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behavior and attitudes.