Background:

The United Nations’ Highlands Joint Programme Phase 2 (HJP2) aims to address the root causes of conflict, fragility, and underdevelopment in PNG’s Highlands region, particularly in Hela, Southern Highlands, Enga, and Western Highlands provinces. Building on the lessons from Phase 1, HJP2 adopts an integrated, area-based approach to empower communities, strengthen governance, promote peace and social cohesion, and enhance resilience to climate and socio-economic shocks. Anchored in PNG’s national development priorities and aligned with Outcome 2 of the UNSDCF (Governance, Peace, and Social Cohesion), the programme addresses intersecting drivers of instability through inclusive mechanisms for conflict resolution, gender-based violence prevention, and the active participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups in governance and decision-making.

Building on the lessons from the HJP1 and other GYPI projects led by the UN in the Highlands, LEED seeks to advance peacebuilding efforts by addressing the systemic drivers of violence and conflict stemming from youth unemployment and their limited participation in economic activities, as well as in decision-making. The project focuses on key areas by enhancing livelihoods and income-earning opportunities through specific agricultural value chains, creating formal and informal employment opportunities for unskilled youth, equipping them to participate in economic activities, supporting existing or new youths’ organisations and their representation in decision-making, promoting gender equality, facilitating participation in conflict resolution, advocating for peace, and improving equitable access to resources.

Reporting Line

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will work under the technical supervision of the Programme and Operations Officer based in Port Moresby, and under the administrative supervision of the Director of the ILO Country Office for Pacific Island Countries.

The NPC will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project and realization of the project output at the national and sub-national level, particularly by prompting and coordinating the work of implementing partners, providing advice and technical support through the coordination and implementation of workshops, consultations, and training activities. In coordination with the ILO Programme and Operations Officer based in Port Moresby the Project Coordinator will provide regular updates and seek project implementation advice from Inter-Agency Coordination group, High Joint Programme Coordinator, partnering agencies and the ILO Country office in Suva.

Description of Duties

Project implementation and monitoring:

1. With the Programme and Operations Officer, develop concept notes, terms of reference and implementation agreements required to ensure activities are planned and implemented successfully. Organize, participate as a resource person, and represent the project in consultative meetings, seminars and training workshops as required.
2. Monitor progress of project activities with implementing partners by reviewing, verifying and analysing workplans, progress reports, final reports and other data. Identify problems, recommend solutions, and follow-up with implementing partners to ensure timeliness and quality of results, including to ensure the programme is fulfilling its commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.

3. Prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts to ensure sufficient resources are available for the achievement of planned results and fulfilment of workplans. Anticipate delays and recommend solutions to rectify implementation challenges.

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4. Ensure adherence to the ILO rules and regulations for financial and administrative matters and ensure timely fulfilment of all obligations. Act as the primary focal point for partners’ enquiries about administrative procedures and requirements.

5. In collaboration with the Programme and Operations Officer, design and implement a Performance Monitoring Plan, including results, baselines and targets and indicators; assumptions and risks, and reporting on activities and performance towards project objectives addressing the project theory of change and mainstreaming gender and non-discrimination.

6. Be the focal point of the project for the mid-term and final evaluations and support related activities.

7. Undertake missions and site visits, independently or accompanying other officials, to support project implementation, monitoring and reporting.

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Stakeholder engagement:

8. Establish and maintain close and positive links with the relevant national and local stakeholders, such as national and local authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector actors and the media that are active in the area of labour laws, economic development, gender equality, OSH, Labour Administration, labour market data and social dialogue.

9. Serve as a focal point within the ILO project team for selected technical subjects and prepare speeches, make presentations and address meetings at the national and regional level on behalf of the programme. Provide interpretation to other ILO staff and consultants where appropriate.

Research and information management:

10. Provide inputs to and draft portions of tools, guidelines and other materials developed by the project. Prepare background information, reports and statistical data on status of project activities and relevant developments in the country

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11. Assemble and edit basic data required for planning, reporting and negotiation of project activities, considering different approaches and alternative methods for programme design, management, problem identification and problem resolution.

12. Brief ILO specialists, project staff and consultants, and visiting officials, academics, UN and NGO partners and provide relevant information on programme-related matters.

13. Identify and document good practices, lessons learned and relevant experiences that may be shared with other similar initiatives

14. Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the technical or administrative supervisors.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, social sciences, or related field, and strong knowledge on development issues in Papua New Guinea.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience in project management, implementation and M&E at the national level. Experience working on peacebuilding or related issues would be an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of English and a national language

Competencies

• Experience leading or supporting the monitoring and implementation of development projects or programmes, including administration, procurement, workplanning, budgeting, and monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret programme information in order to identify challenges and propose solutions
• Ability to cultivate and develop partnerships and coordinate stakeholders
• Ability to negotiate with impartiality and diplomacy while maintaining constructive working relationships
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Clear understanding of principles of gender equality and social inclusion, and ability to communicate these principles with partners.
• Demonstrated capacity to understand, apply and adhere to financial rules and regulations.
• Good computer applications skills, including a command of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Organizational skills

optional section (if needed)

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to supervise staff.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.