Introduction

The ILO has been entrusted to implement EU-funded initiative EU4People: Employment Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina funded from IPA 2022 envelope. The project is aimed at improving the socio-economic situation and living conditions of people in the country. The specific objectives include an increase in employment opportunities for young people, rural women and vulnerable categories of unemployed (including long-term unemployed (LTU), persons with disability, youth exiting social care system and social assistance beneficiaries), and the facilitation of post-pandemic economic recovery.

The overall approach of the Action is based on a balanced mix of carefully designed grant schemes and the provision of high-quality technical assistance by the ILO. The technical assistance shapes and guides the grant component to introduce innovation, break entrenched ineffective practices, and introduce sustainability. The National Project Officer - Technical Assistance Monitoring supports Technical Specialists in developing materials, tools, and guidelines to strengthen PES performance, while coordinating the PES Capacity Building Task Force and delivering selected training interventions, workshops, and technical assistance missions. The role also coordinates with the Grant Officer on PES-related grant activities, maintains comprehensive technical assistance records aligned with the Action’s Monitoring Framework, and prepares reports and portfolio updates for senior management.

Reporting lines

The National Project Officer – Technical Assistance Monitoring will report directly to the Project Manager. The incumbent works in coordination with the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Central and Eastern Europe in Budapest (DWT/CO-Budapest), with the Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Public Employment Services) as higher-level chief. Cooperation with the relevant ILO HQ departments will be required.

Description of Duties

1.Work in close collaboration with the Project Manager and Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Public Employment Services) to design and revise project annual work plans related to technical assistance, as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the project supporting the implementation of the technical assistance activities, as well as institutional and capacity development of Public Employment Services and line ministries in the country. selected implementing partners. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.
2.Contribute to design of the work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness, and monitor the progress of project activities related to the project`s technical assistance component. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.
3.Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in the ministries in charge of labour and employment and PESs and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
4.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.
5.Provide training on monitoring and evaluation to both beneficiary institutions and grant beneficiaries (implementing partners); Undertake monitoring missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.
6.Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings.
7.Support Technical Specialists in the development of technical materials, tools, and guidelines for PES improvement and act as a coordinator of PES Capacity Building Task Force for all technical assistance activities.
8.Coordinate with the Grant Officer to provide technical input to grant component.
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.Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the technical assistance component of the Project. Maintain accurate records of the technical assistance provide directly or through the grant component, in accordance with the Monitoring Framework of the Action.
11.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. An advanced degree on studies on labour economics would be a strong advantage.

Experience

At least two years 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 (preferably Public Employment Services) and with development partners.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of labour economics as well as economic developments, poverty reduction, and social policies. Knowledge of the policy making process

Languages

Excellent knowledge of the working language of the duty station and a good knowledge of English.

Competencies

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures, and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• 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 analyse 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.