Job Vacancy For National Project Coordinator



Introduction:

Skills development is a fundamental enabler of economic growth and private sector development. Over recent decades, the global economy has experienced a profound transformation, mostly as a result of trade integration and technological progress. Increased international trade has driven economic growth in both high- and low-income economies, lifting millions out of poverty. Yet, employers around the world rank skills shortages as a major constraint to growing their business, particularly on international markets. For countries to harness the potential benefit of today’s global economy and the opportunities offered by technological advancements, investment in skills formation is crucial, especially in developing countries where skilled labour is scarce.

The ILO/Norway partnership for 2018-19 addresses these concerns. The overall partnership includes five field components and a global component. The field components (Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Senegal, and Tanzania) assist constituents in strengthening skills systems to enable international trade. The global component focusses on research and policy advisory services primarily related to the issue of skills and technology.

This position will be based within the Ghana component of the partnership. In 2015 the country approved a National Employment Policy (NEP) that, among other priorities, calls for the preparation of a national human resources development plan that involves the identification of present and future skills needs and related training programs. The country’s strategic plan for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) transformation, recently launched, has the objective of better preparing its labour force to enhance productivity and increase employment generation.

The NEP, within its major objective to create more decent jobs to meet the demand for employment, also calls for the promotion of Made-in Ghana goods on international markets, as well as from an import-substitution perspective. The 2014-2017 development plan, conceived as an agenda for job creation to foster prosperity and equal opportunities for all, indicates the promotion of international trade and investment as a priority for national development.

The Ghana component of the ILO/Norway partnership is aligned with these major strategies. It will strengthen the country’s skills system through sectoral approaches to promote a better alignment between skills development and labour market needs. More specifically it will support the development of permanent structures to address industry skills needs and their integration with the TVET system.

II. Reporting line

• The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will work under the direct supervision of the Director of the ILO Office in Abuja which covers Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
• The official will work under the guidance of the global coordinator of the ILO/Norway partnership in ILO SKILLS and the technical assistance of the Senior Skills and Employability Specialist in DWT Dakar, as well as the technical guidance of the relevant specialists in ILO SKILLS.
• The incumbent will ensure the implementation and the operational coordination of the project, and will be responsible for securing the overall project results.

III. Summary of main duties:

• 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 global project requirements and the policies, values and procedures of the ILO.
• 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, and ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in planning and project implementation to achieve the desired results.
• Coordinate and monitor project activities implemented by project 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.
• 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 Project team in Accra, ILO CO Abuja, DWT Dakar, and HQ. This will include accurate implementation, performance, risk financial monitoring, in line with global project requirements, as well as their timely submission to the project’s global coordination function in ILO SKILLS.
• Manage the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings in collaboration with the technical support of experts and represent the project in various meetings.
• Organize and conduct technical missions in target regions, guide and advise national and international experts on site and remotely, and ensure the proper and effective use of project resources.
• Coordinate and monitor research carried out by external collaborators.
• Develop and implement a communications strategy ensuring: visibility of project’s results, dissemination of project information through publications and press releases, and good communication with all partners.
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor within the framework of his/her competence.

Qualification Required & Experience

Education

• First level university degree in development work, social science, vocational training or any other relevant field. A second level degree is an additional asset

Experience

• Two or three years’ experience in vocational education and training, as well as skills development policies and programmes, preferably in the field of skills for trade and private sector growth. Experience in implementation and project management is essential. Experience working with other ILO projects is highly desirable.

Languages

• Excellent command of English; a good knowledge of local languages would be an asset.

Knowledge and skills

• Proven ability to manage teams including personnel management and remote capacity project management proved (project planning and management of financial and monitoring procedures).
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships and negotiate with government officials, representative(s) of civil society, representatives of workers 'and employers' organizations and academics.
• Ability to lead work teams to the achievement of objectives and results.
• Knowledge of the ILO regulations and procedures of system and / or the United Nations would be an asset.
• Excellent ability to time management and good organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate gender analysis in the implementation of the project.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to write reports on the organization's strategy in the field of social protection and employment generated by
employment-intensive investment or for the implementation of the project
• Good knowledge of methods of monitoring and evaluation.
• Good knowledge of common office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and communication (internet and email).

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Please send your application and most recent CV to:

hrabuja@ilo.org

Closing Date: 14 May, 2018