National Project Coordinator - NOA (DC)

Introduction

The South-South Cooperation Programme strategy generally comprises the following stages: (i) preparatory missions to identify demands and partner institutions; (ii) tripartite planning workshops to jointly define the main project results; (iii) preparation of the final project document for approval by Brazil, the partner country and the ILO; (iv) implementation of project documents in the different countries; and (v) monitoring and evaluation.

Within this context, the project “Decent Work and Social Justice “ is being implemented under the Brazil-ILO South-South Cooperation Programme. The project is funded by the Government of Brazil through the Ministry of Labour (MTE) and coordinated by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and the ILO, through its Country Office for Brazil.

The Immediate objective 2 of the project is “Social dialogue and workers' rights are strengthened through South-South cooperation, fostering collaboration to promote decent work and social justice”. Its Output 2.3. is “Brazilian best practices for promoting decent work, such as the National Pacts for Decent Work in supply chains, systematized and shared in international forums”.

At the ILO Country Office for Brazil, the project is managed by the technical team under the responsibility of the South-South Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships Area, in close coordination with the other areas of the Office, the Regional Office in Lima and the relevant technical units at headquarters, in particular the Emerging and South-South Partnerships Unit (PARTNERSHIPS) and Fundamentals Principal and Rigths at Work (FPRW).

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator for South-South Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships, the National Project Coordinator will provide professional services for the efficient, effective and client-oriented implementation and administration of the of the project, including programming and administrative support for the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its activities and the submission of the corresponding technical and financial reports. The incumbent will apply and promote results-based management principles, specially related to the output 2.3.

The National Project Coordinator will provide day-to-day substantive and operational coordination between the Unit portfolio and the project under an integrated workplan, while maintaining separate records of activities, staff time, expenditures, outputs and results for each funding allocation. The incumbent may also provide technical, analytical and partnership support to the broader portfolio of CO-Brasilia’s South-South Cooperation Unit in this subject, in accordance with approved workplans and funding arrangements. The purpose of the position is to help ensure timely and high-quality delivery, effective engagement of constituents and partners, and the translation of evidence and dialogue into sustainable policies, institutional measures and follow-on partnerships.

Reporting lines

The National Project Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Coordinator for South-South Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships, in close coordination with the other relevant projects and areas, the Programming, Operations and Communications units of the CO-Brasilia, the Regional Office in Lima, PARTNERSHIPS, FPRW and other relevant units at headquarters. Day-to-day work will require minimal supervision; the incumbent will receive detailed instructions and guidance in the case of special activities or unusual or complex matters. The National Project Coordinator will perform the following duties:

Description of Duties

1 - Review and analyse Brazil’s and partner countries’ development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data and other relevant information concerning the implementation of the National Pacts for Decent Work in supply chains. Identify potential areas for technical cooperation.

2 - Work closely with the project’s main counterparts, including MTE, ABC and institutions in partner countries, and, under the supervision of the Coordination, design & review the project’s annual workplans and prepare budget proposals, considering different approaches and alternative methods for management, problem identification and problem-solving.

3 - Review, verify and analyse workplans, progress and final reports and other data, ensuring their clarity, consistency and completeness, and monitor the progress of project activities.

4 - Follow up with relevant technical officers and counterparts in organizations and institutions at the national level and in partner countries, partner and implementing agencies, government offices, constituents and focal points.

5 - Assist in the programming and control of project resources, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts through the analysis and monitoring of resources, comparing implementation with planned activities and making recommendations for corrective action. Identify problems and propose solutions and actions.

6 - Provide programming and administrative support to the project’s Trilateral South-South Cooperation activities, including regional exchanges among Brazil, the ILO and participating countries, and the preparation and implementation of potential country projects, in support of the promotion of the right to care and decent work for care workers.

7 - Participate in the preparation and organization of conferences, seminars, tripartite planning workshops, training sessions and consultative meetings, including support for the organization of Project Steering Committee (CAP) meetings. Represent the project when attending such meetings alone. Undertake missions to implementation sites to monitor implementation and report on progress, identifying problems and proposing corrective measures.

8 - Work with external counterparts and technical specialists in preparing draft memoranda of understanding and implementation agreements, ensuring that they comply with project implementation requirements and deadlines. Request the timely submission of progress reports, follow up on their submission and raise issues of concern with stakeholders.

9 - Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials, and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit or translate into Portuguese or Spanish official correspondence, statements, speeches and other public information materials.

10 - Responsible for the preparation of briefing notes, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports, as well as statistical data on the overall status of project activities. Generate the information and data required for periodic management and compliance reporting.

11 - Participate in inter-agency forums and meetings, including within the United Nations system, with a view to identifying areas of common interest. Contribute to support the Office’s communication activities, including the visibility of South-South Cooperation results.

12 - Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First-level university degree in in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field. Postgraduate degree in social policies, gender, development or labour-related issues is desirable.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience at the national level in project management, implementation, monitoring or evaluation. Proven experience working with government bodies responsible for policymaking and with development partners. Experience in South-South cooperation projects (management and implementation) and knowledge of National Pacts for Decent Work in supply chain would also be assets. Knowledge of programme and budget concepts and procedures, project administration and monitoring and evaluation would be an advantage.

Technical requirements: Ability to analyse socioeconomic information and project data, identify implementation challenges and formulate recommendations and corrective measures. Knowledge of South-South and Trilateral South-South Cooperation approaches, including project planning, implementation and monitoring. Knowledge of National Pacts for Decent Work in supply chains, gender equality and social protection, including the policy and institutional context of Brazil and other Latin American countries. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders, and to work effectively in multicultural and inter-institutional environments. Knowledge of resource mobilization would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of Portuguese and a good knowledge of English. Working knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.

Competencies

Behavioural Competencies

All ILO core personal or behavioural competencies (Integrity and transparency; Sensitivity to diversity; Orientation to learning & knowledge sharing; Communication; Client orientation; Orientation to change; Takes responsibility for performance; Quality orientation; and Collaboration) are required for all members of staff.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures, and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Brazil.
• Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of resource mobilization.
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the projects’ 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 implementation problems.
• 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.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key counterparts and to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory attitude and behaviour are also required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications.