National Project Coordinator

Grade: NOB

Vacancy no.: CAIRO/DC/NO/2023/09

Publication date: 7 November 2023

Application deadline (midnight Cairo local time): 7 December 2023

Job ID: 11398

Department: RO-Africa

Organization Unit: DWT/CO-Cairo

Location: Cairo

Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of fund)

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 criteria.

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.

While forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) face specific vulnerabilities, including psychological trauma, lack of opportunity and protection risks, host communities (HCs) also struggle to pursue their own development efforts in an environment that has been transformed by a large influx of newcomers. As displacement has become increasingly protracted, responses are focusing more on durable solutions backed by more dignified, inclusive, and comprehensive programmes for refugees and the communities that host them.

In response to the challenges facing both host communities and refugees, a partnership initiative titled: 'PROSPECTS – Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, has been launched by the Government of the Netherlands that brings 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.

While the Partnership's first phase will end in December 2024, when partners joined their efforts to develop a new paradigm in responding to forced displacement crises in 8 countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda), the second phase is under design and planned to span from 2024 to 2027,

The overall objective of PROSPECTS in Egypt is to improve the living standards and inclusiveness of refugees, asylum-seekers, and vulnerable host communities, by contributing to the expansion of socio-economic opportunities through better education and mainstreamed protection interventions.

With a geographical focus on Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta, PROSPECTS Egypt will work under four main pillars, as follows:

1. Increase access of FDPs and HC to quality education, skills and learning opportunities.

2. Improved livelihoods and expanded economic opportunities for FDPs and HCs, through access to entrepreneurship and employment with dignity.

3. Increased Government Protection for FDPs and HCs and increased Inclusion of FDPs and HCs In Community-based, Local and/or National Social Protection Systems.

4. Improved Services, Facilities, and Information Systems essential to FDPs and HCs.

About this post

The ILO PROSPECTS team consists of technical, finance and operations team members. The national Project coordinators (NPCs) act as the backbone of the programme, and their role can be summarised as leading and overseeing the programme implementation on the ground, ensuring an efficient implementation of activities, while ensuring expected outputs and results are realised on the ground.

In general, while the Programme Manager focuses on the overall programme management including defining goals, implementation strategies, stakeholder relations, decision-making, and resource allocation of the programme, the national coordinators, on the other hand, handle the implementation of these strategies on ground, ensuring that goals are met, and field activities run smoothly. In summary, the NPCs ensure effective coordination between the overall programme strategies and the practical implementation in the field.

The NPCs are expected to work very closely with the PROSPECTS Egypt Programme Officer who will play a pivotal role to assist the Programme Manager to oversee, coordinate, and synergise the whole national coordination in the programme.

Moreover, national coordinators are expected to provide substantial technical inputs in their assigned areas. Technically, while all ILO interventions and efforts evolve and are intended to lead to decent work and employment, specific technical areas are identified under PROSPECTS four pillars, such as market-relevant technical and employability skills development, career guidance, transition to work, employment promotion, enterprise and business development, financial education and inclusion, and social protection.

REPORTING LINE

The incumbent will perform its duties under the direct supervision of the PROSPECTS Programme Officer (PO) and the overall guidance of the PROSPECTS Country Programme Manager (PM).

1. Better socio-economic understanding and response to refugees' and host communities' context: Collaborate with the PM to analyse the socio-economic and labour market trends, as well as development frameworks and priorities in Egypt to inform the design of market-relevant interventions for both Egyptian youth and refugees.

2. Programme Implementation:

A. Assist the PO and lead the implementation of assigned activities/components by the PM to ensure effective and efficient delivery of results, including but not limited to discussions with ILO technical Specialists, implementing partners, field visits, and participation in reviews and evaluations.

B. Ensuring all deliveries and outcomes are in conformity with ILO policies and guidelines and contribute to the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the assigned components, in accordance with ILO rules and financial and procurement regulations.

C. Assist the PO to ensure synergies with the other programme components and overall expected results.

D. Prepare work plans, periodic and ad hoc technical and implementation reports, presentations, and information databases of assigned activities/components for monitoring and reporting purposes.

E. Under the guidance of the PO, assist the PM in coordinating and incorporating substantive technical inputs relevant to the assigned components, in coordination with concerned ILO offices and departments.

3. Building partnerships and synergies with national partners:

A. Actively engaging and strengthening the collaboration with national partners in Egypt (e.g. government and private institutions, social partners, and other stakeholders) aiming to identify entry points and the implementation of interventions.

B. Seek opportunities to build and enhance partnerships with a range of stakeholders and build synergies with existing initiatives and programmes in Egypt.

C. Provide support to relevant government ministries, ILO social partners, and other key national and international partners, in close collaboration with the PM, ILO DWT/CO Cairo, and regional and HQ units as relevant.

D. Support the PM in leveraging the role of the ILO and its representation in internal and external meetings.

4. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

First-level University degree (BA or equivalent) in economics, political science, business administration, development studies or related fields

⦁ Minimum of three years of professional work experience in development programmes; planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of activities.

⦁ Work experience with youth employment programmes and projects and/or development projects focused on job creation is considered an asset.

⦁ Work experience in humanitarian-development nexus, and in forcibly displacement projects is considered an asset.

Excellent command of English and good working knowledge of Arabic (spoken and written)

⦁ Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts.

⦁ Good knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).

⦁ Good knowledge of resource mobilization.

⦁ Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.

⦁ Knowledge of the substantive nature of the Organization's work programmes and activities.

⦁ Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, taking responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, and Collaboration], this position requires:

⦁ Research and analytical skills.

⦁ Drafting skills.

⦁ Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.

⦁ Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

⦁ Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.

⦁ Ability to manage competing priorities.

⦁ Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.

⦁ Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff.

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

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO People. 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 – – should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

Candidates who pass the interview and have good capabilities as may be recommended by the panel, may get selected for similar positions.

** The Office reserves to itself the right to appoint candidates at a level below the level of the advertised post depending on their experience.

*** Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable for this position can also be offered to be assigned on a TEMPORARY position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position".

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