National Project Coordinator - Yola, Adamawa State (NOB)

Introduction

The Consolidating Action for Social Protection in Nigeria (CASPIN) project builds on the International Labour Organization's (ILO) extensive experience in strengthening inclusive and rights-based social protection systems globally and in Nigeria. Over the years, the ILO has worked closely with its tripartite constituents, the Government of Nigeria, United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral development partners, and civil society organizations to strengthen social protection governance, expand institutional capacities, and promote sustainable financing and delivery of social protection programmes.

CASPIN is implemented with financial support from the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection, Participation and Economic Resilience in Northeast Nigeria (SEPIN-SUSI) programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union. The project contributes directly to Output 4 of the SEPIN-SUSI programme by strengthening institutional and human capacities required for the effective implementation, coordination, monitoring, and continuous improvement of social protection systems in Adamawa and Borno States.

The project responds to persistent institutional and capacity constraints affecting the implementation of social protection policies and programmes at sub-national level. While Nigeria has made significant progress in establishing policy and legal frameworks for social protection, challenges remain in translating these frameworks into effective, coordinated, and inclusive service delivery. CASPIN therefore adopts a systems-strengthening approach that enhances the technical, institutional, and operational capacities of government institutions and key stakeholders responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating social protection interventions. Recognizing the central role of social protection in reducing poverty, promoting social inclusion, strengthening resilience, and advancing decent work, CASPIN adopts a rights-based and participatory approach anchored in social dialogue. The project will engage state governments, employers' and workers' organizations, financial service providers, civil society organizations, humanitarian and development partners, and other ecosystem actors to strengthen governance, coordination, accountability, and learning across the social protection sector.

Description of Duties

Under the overall responsibility and direct supervision of the Director of ILO Abuja Country Office, the incumbent will liaise and receive technical guidance and support from the technical specialist social protection at the Decent Work Team in Dakar, Senegal.

This position will be based in the ILO-CO Abuja

1. Summary of main duties:

1. Ensure operational coordination of project implementation, monitor conditions set out in the project document, budget and grant agreement and facilitate coordination with the donor.
2. Lead the implementation of project activities with criteria of timeliness, quality and effectiveness, ensuring the achievement of planned results in the time frame and within budget, in accordance with project requirements and the policies, values ​​and procedures of the ILO.
3. Initiate, sustain and guide cooperation with key partners in Nigeria, in close collaboration with relevant ILO technical specialists to ensure the performance and results of the project, and ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in planning and project implementation to achieve the desired results.
4. Coordinate and monitor project activities implemented by project and implementing partners, consultants and trainers and ensure the quality of outputs, by reviewing, verifying and analysing partners work plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
5. Regularly brief responsible government officials, employer and worker associations on project status and consult with other United Nations agencies, development partners and NGOs whose mandates and programmes are similar to those of the project.
6. Ensure a regular flow of information on the status of the activities planned and implemented between the ILO-CO Abuja, the Regional Office for Africa, the Decent Work Team in Dakar and SOCPRO at ILO headquarters. This will include accurate implementation, performance, risk and financial monitoring.
7. Manage the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, multi-stakeholder consultations, training sessions and meetings in collaboration with the technical support of experts and represent the project in various meetings. Organize project management meetings, draft meeting notes and solicit comments from relevant project partners.
8. Coordinate and monitor research carried out and studies undertaken by external collaborators.
9. Update project work plans, implement the reporting, monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the outcomes, outputs, activities and indicators set out in the project document and grant agreement, monitor progress on a continuous basis and prepare and validate project progress reports.
10. Implement the communications strategy ensuring visibility of project’s results, dissemination of project information through publications and press releases, and good communication with all partners.
11. Facilitate technical input, knowledge exchange and thematic discussions. Develop knowledge products including fact sheets and policy briefs.
12. Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor within the framework of his/her competence.

Required qualifications

Education

First level of university degree in economics, social sciences, public health, international development or a related field and a strong knowledge on development issues around social protection particularly in Nigeria.

Experience

At least three years of relevant professional experience in social protection, as well as humanitarian and displacement issues, including experience working with ILO tripartite constituents, government officials, and relevant institutions and associations whose mandates align with the thematic areas addressed by the CASPIN project. Record of familiarity with ILO/UN policies and procedures, including development cooperation procedures would be desirable. Experience managing and implementing ILO/UN projects would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent spoken and written knowledge of English; good knowledge of another official language of the duty station.

Competencies

1. Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts and understanding of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation). Demonstrated ability to incorporate gender analysis into project implementation.
2. Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the program’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for program development and resource mobilisation.
3. Ability to advocate and provide policy advice. Political awareness and understanding of policy debates and developments in the area of employment, migration and labour migration. Good knowledge of national counterparts, development partners as well as international organizations.
4. Proven ability to manage teams including personnel management and remote capacity project management (project planning and management of financial and monitoring procedures).
5. Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff and consultants working for the project
6. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders such as government officials, epresentatives of workers’ and employers' organizations, representative(s) of civil society, and academics.
8. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
9. Knowledge of the regulations and procedures of the ILO and/or other UN entities would be an asset.
10. Excellent time management, planning and organizational skills.
11. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
12. Ability to write progress reports for the implementation of the project in a concise and timely manner.
13. Good knowledge of common office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and communication (internet and email).