National Project Officer - Enterprise Recovery and Skills Development

Introduction

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations and the only tripartite UN agency, bringing together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations to develop labour standards and policies and promote decent work and social justice.

In the Occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), the ILO works with its tripartite constituents and other partners to address labour market challenges and support employment creation, enterprise development, skills development, social protection, occupational safety and health, and social dialogue. In response to the ongoing crisis, particularly in Gaza, the ILO has expanded its support to protect workers and employers, restore livelihoods, strengthen enterprise resilience and contribute to labour market recovery, including through circular economy and green-enterprise development, skills for green jobs, and support for a just transition in recovery and reconstruction.

ILO interventions in Gaza build on assessments of the impact of the crisis on workers, enterprises and labour market institutions, including challenges related to employment retention, access to finance and business inputs, market access, skills availability and productivity. Through its programmes and projects, the ILO supports affected enterprises and workers, promotes business recovery and job retention, facilitates skills development and work-based learning opportunities, and strengthens the capacity of employers’ and workers’ organizations and other national and local partners to respond to evolving labour market needs. This includes supporting MSMEs and cooperatives to improve productivity, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability; strengthening occupational safety and health, gender equality, inclusion and formalization; and building the capacity of constituents to identify and respond to emerging skills needs and contribute to green recovery and reconstruction processes.

The position will contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of ILO activities related to business recovery, enterprise development, employment promotion and skills development in Gaza. This will include supporting enterprise and labour market assessments, skills and productivity initiatives, work-based learning and other skills development activities, employment and wage-support measures, and institutional capacity-building, including activities related to circular economy and green-enterprise services, skills assessment and skills for green jobs, occupational safety and health, and the institutionalization of services developed with ILO constituents. The incumbent will work closely with employers’ and workers’ organizations, relevant public institutions, Chambers of Commerce, cooperatives, training providers, enterprises and other partners to support effective programme delivery and contribute to inclusive and sustainable labour market recovery, while ensuring linkages with relevant national recovery, reconstruction and just-transition priorities.

Reporting Lines:

The National Project Officer – Enterprise Recovery and Skills Development will report to the EIIP Technical Officer as first level manager and work under the overall supervision of the Representative of the ILO Office in Jerusalem. The incumbent will receive technical backstopping from the Regional Just Transition Specialist and the Regional Skills Specialist. The National Project Officer will perform the following tasks:

Description of Duties

1. Support in liaising with national partners, including government agencies, employers’ and workers’ organizations, Chambers of Commerce, enterprises, training providers and other partners, to support collaboration and alignment of the ILO’s interventions.
2. Support and monitor the implementation of activities, ensuring timely implementation in line with programme and project objectives and workplans.
3. Collect, review and analyse information and data on businesses, employers’ activities, labour market needs, skills gaps and skills needs, and use the findings to inform programme and project activities.
4. Provide technical guidance and support to Business Development Services (BDS), Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs), SMEs and other relevant partners on business management, productivity, resilience, business continuity and recovery, including circular economy, green-enterprise practices, OSH and formalization.
5. Support skills development activities, including skills identification and assessment, testing and certification, work-based learning, capacity building and other activities responding to current and emerging labour market needs, including skills for green jobs and related recovery priorities.
6. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Serve as a focal point for selected technical subjects.
7. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project.
8. Review and analyse workplans, progress and final reports and other relevant information for clarity, consistency and completeness, and follow up on implementation, delayed documents and agreed activities.
9. Support immediate assistance to businesses affected by crises, including wage subsidies, advisory services and other business support, and contribute to efforts aimed at improving the business environment and supporting businesses and employers in the recovery process.
10. Draft Terms of Reference and follow up on the recruitment of consultants and service contracts; contribute to programme and budget proposals, project proposals, project reviews and evaluations, and assist in the programming and control of resources.
11. Organize and undertake missions to project sites, follow up with relevant technical officers and counterparts, and perform other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
12. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in a relevant field.

Experience

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management and implementation, preferably in the areas of business recovery, enterprise development, employment promotion, or skills development. Experience should include planning and monitoring project activities, coordinating with implementing partners, reviewing workplans and reports, and supporting the timely delivery of activities and achievement of project results. Experience working with government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations, Chambers of Commerce, training providers and development partners would be an asset.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English, and good working knowledge of Arabic.

Competencies

• Good knowledge of programme and budget, project formulation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices.
• Good knowledge in managing and implementing business support projects and programmes.
• Good knowledge about social and economic development, including labour and employment trends in the country.
• Good knowledge of enterprise needs, enterprise development, entrepreneurship and business start-up development.
• 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 analyze problems with implementation.
• Ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for the formulation, administration and evaluation of projects.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Demonstrate collaborative and team work 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 justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and ability to negotiate.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
• 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.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.