Job Openings at the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Job ID: 6671 
Vacancy no.: ABUJA/DC/NO/2021/02
Department: RO-Africa
Organization Unit: CO-Abuja
Contract type: Fixed Term

Overview

• The selection process is not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.

The following are eligible to apply:

• Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. The Office will facilitate the temporary re-assignment of a selected internal candidate to this position.
• External candidates. A selected external candidate will be issued with a 4.2 (e) contract.

Introduction

• The proportion of women involved in entrepreneurship in Nigeria exceeds that of men, however the country ranks 139th on the Gender Gap Index for 2020. While women entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth, job creation, and family and community wellbeing, they experience decent work deficits related to business and regulatory environment, access to financial and business development services. As many remain informal, they are often outside the scope of SME policies and programmes and are under-represented and underserved by employers’ and workers’ organisations.
• In response to these challenges, the ILO is initiating the Promoting Gender Equality and Formalisation through Women’s Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria. The overall objective of this intervention is to support key actors in the business ecosystem to adopt approaches and policies that respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, including in the informal economy. The expected results under the proposed intervention are as follows:
• Result 1:
  • Government and social partners validate a roadmap to address the barriers for women’s entrepreneurship development and formalisation.
  • As part or Result 1, the project will undertake an assessment of the framework conditions for women’s entrepreneurship development which include a conducive legal and regulatory environment for women’s economic empowerment, effective policy leadership and coordination for the promotion of WED, and women’s access to gender-responsive financial and business development services, as well as a diagnostic on informality in order to engage stakeholders in developing a roadmap to address the key constraints identified by the assessments. 
• Result 2:
  • Government and other business environment actors expand their actions on WED and formalization focusing on legal and policy issues/framework, monitoring mechanism for learning, advocacy efforts and direct support to women-entrepreneurs
  • As part of Result 2, the project will support key national partners and constituents to implement the activities from the roadmap and to integrate relevant ILO training packages for enterprise development, such as SIYB, GET Ahead and Financial Education as part of their services. 
• Result 3:
  • NECA adopts gender-responsive measures to better target, serve women entrepreneurs, and widen its representation
  • As part of Result 3, the project will support NECA to undertake a self-assessment of the extent to which it reaches and serves women entrepreneurs. Based on the self-assessment, NECA will be able to adopt more gender-responsive approaches with the support of the ILO. 

Reporting Line:

• The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will work under overall responsibility and the direct supervision of the Director of the ILO-Abuja Office and will receive operational guidance from the Senior Program Officer. The NPC will also receive technical support from the SME Unit based in ILO Headquarters.

Description of Duties

• Ensure operational coordination of project implementation, monitor conditions set out in the project document, budget and grant agreement. Responsible for the effective management of funds allocated to activities within the project. 
• Initiate, sustain and guide cooperation with key partners, in close collaboration with relevant ILO technical specialists to ensure the performance and results of the project.
• Develop work plans in consultation with tripartite partners and update project work plans on a continuous basis and ensure their timely implementation.
• Coordinate and monitor project activities implemented by project partners, external collaborators (consultants or service providers) and trainers and ensure the quality of outputs, by reviewing, verifying and analysing work plans, contract outputs, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. 
• Support and oversee the development of the assessment on the framework conditions for women’s entrepreneurship development and informality dialogue, including by drafting terms of reference, reviewing inception reports and research methodology, supporting consultants with field research and liaising with key stakeholders for their participation in research, validation workshops and roadmap development. 
• Regularly brief responsible government officials, employer and worker associations on project status.  
• Consult with United Nations agencies, bilateral donors and NGOs whose mandates and programmes are similar to those of the project.
• Ensure a regular flow of information on the status of the activities planned and implemented between the ILO-Country Office, the relevant Decent Work Teams, and HQ. This will include accurate implementation, performance, risk and financial monitoring, including reporting on project linked CPOs in collaboration with relevant units.
• 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.
• Implement the reporting, monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the outcomes and outputs set out in the project document and monitor progress on a continuous basis.  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.
• Present progress updates on a regular basis including at project management and Steering Committee meetings, ensure regular and timely reporting of project activities, results and indicators and prepare and validate project progress reports taking into consideration inputs from the project team. 
• Organize and conduct technical missions in target locations, guide and advise national and international experts on site and remotely, and ensure the proper and effective use of project resources.
• 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 Law, Economics, Management, International Development, Social Sciences, Gender Studies or a related field.

Experience:

• At least three years of relevant professional experience including experience related to project management and stakeholder engagement. Experience in conducting research and assessments, as well as in supporting women’s economic empowerment or entrepreneurship is desirable. 

Languages:

• Excellent spoken and written knowledge of English. Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization or an official national language of the duty station.

Competencies:

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

go to method of application »

Job ID: 6617
Vacancy No.: ABUJA/RBT/GS/2021/01
Grade: G6
Department: RO-Africa
Organization Unit: CO-Abuja
Contract type: Short Term

Overview

• The recruitment process for General Service positions is subject to local recruitment regulations and Article 4.3 of the ILO Staff Regulations.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates

Organizational Setting:

• The position is a Temporary position located in CO-Abuja.

Main Purpose

• As a team member, the incumbent provides senior level programming support and is responsible for performing, completing and/or overseeing specialized administrative and programming services related to implementation of the Office’s work programme.
• The incumbent works in an efficient, effective and client-oriented manner in performing a range of administrative actions related to the design, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Work involves using the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The incumbent applies the principles of results-based management (RBM) and ensures the correct application of established rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines. The incumbent evaluates and provides inputs into the design and development of improved programming services and delivery processes.
• The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery, ensuring that agreed results are achieved and that work is coordinated and integrated with related services.
• Work assignments are generally carried out under minimum supervision with the incumbent operating with a high degree of independence, particularly on operational delivery matters. Work is reviewed for feasibility of recommendations and correctness of end results. Work involving the handling of complex and intricate programming matters including those affecting other related activities of the work unit is also reviewed.

Working Relationships:

• Internal contacts are with staff and managers in field offices, project locations and headquarters to provide programme and administrative support and guidance for the resolution of complex issues in compliance with applicable standards. The incumbent regularly liaises with and receives guidance from the Regional Programming Unit.
• External contacts are primarily with counterparts in Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, United Nations (UN) agencies and other international organizations and donors related to the coordination of joint activities. The incumbent shares information and collaborates on the integration of processes or activities, and anticipates and contributes to resolving complex administrative and programming support matters.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide specialized programming support for the formulation of the Office’s work programme and the identification of initiatives, ensuring that required information is included in terms of proposed activities. Conduct searches for information on defined subjects related to assigned country programme outcomes. Perform preliminary analysis of information, including the identification of priority issues and potential technical assistance needs, for possible inclusion in country briefs and reports.
• Compile, analyse and disseminate data and other information for programme and budget preparation and for the review of financial and human resource requirements. Coordinate submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates and propose adjustments as required.
• Serve as focal point for programme and/or project administrative matters. Initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference (TOR) in relation to programme and/or project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to programme and/or project implementation. Liaise with external partners and attend meetings to provide and gather information.  
• Review reports, proposals and expenditure data received from implementing partners to ensure that financial transactions, commitments and authorizations are in conformity with financial rules and regulations. Prepare reports on budget performance comparing approved budgets against actual expenditures and indicating any discrepancies.
• Maintain and update databases.
• Respond to, or redirect to the most appropriate source, complex administrative queries on programme and budget. Draft correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme and/or project administration.
• Keep abreast of changes to programme-related policies, procedures, guidelines and processes and provide guidance and deliver training to staff with the view to building knowledge. Oversee and guide the work of programming and other support staff as required.
• Evaluate and propose improvements to work methods and processes. Assess the impact of changes and make recommendations on follow-up actions. Liaise closely with other administrative areas to ensure effective and smooth service design and delivery, recommending improvements on interrelated processes.
• Provide administrative support for the organization of seminars, workshops, meetings and other events.  Participate in missions to provide programming and administrative support, as required.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
Education:

• Completion of Secondary School Education.
• Training in programme and/or Project Administration.

Experience:

• Minimum of six years of office support work experience, the majority of which in programme and budget support work and project administration. Experience of working with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, in particular programme monitoring and management modules.

Languages:

• Excellent command of English.
• Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization or an official national language of the duty station.

Knowledge and Competencies (Technical / Behavioural):

• Good knowledge of programme and/or project administration.
• Good knowledge of results-based management (RBM).
• Knowledge and understanding of the substantive nature of ILO programmes and activities.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques for assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
• Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.
• In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:
• Ability to interpret and work within the applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
• Drafting skills.
• Analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate the work of support staff.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.