Senior Programme Officer (Enterprise Development)

1. Introduction

Large mixed migration movements continue to top the global political agenda, as reflected in the 2016 UN New York Declaration, and remain at the forefront of concerns, discussions and collaboration across the multilateral system and beyond. These movements create considerable challenges for countries of first asylum, transit and destination, as well as countries of origin, including through impact on socio-economic environments, such as labour markets of host countries, particularly where these may have already been under pressure and there is high unemployment. The majority of refugee populations are hosted a by low- and middle-income countries. As displacement has become increasingly protracted, responses are becoming more focused on durable solutions to support more dignified, inclusive and comprehensive programmes for refugees and the communities that host them to facilitate self-reliance and empowerment and strengthen social cohesion. It is paralleled by regional and country-level efforts in several areas, including in the Middle East and North Africa region and in the Horn of Africa.

In this context, the Government of the Netherlands has launched a new partnership initiative – the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme (hereinafter referred to as the “programme”) – built on the combined strengths, experience and values of specific development and humanitarian organizations to develop a new paradigm in responding to forced displacement crises. The partners include: the Government of the Netherlands, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the ILO, the UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Bank. The programme aims to help transform the way governments and other stakeholders, including the private sector, respond to forced displacement crises – and in particular: (1) to enhance the enabling environment for the socio-economic inclusion of forcibly displaced persons (to mitigate their plight during years of exile and to best prepare them for their return); (2) to enhance access to education and child protection for vulnerable children on the move; and (3) to strengthen the resilience of host communities through inclusive socio-economic development that also benefits forcibly displaced persons.

The programme will be grounded on results-based and country-led approaches (“bottom up”) in two identified regions: MENA, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, and the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan. It aims to accelerate efforts to find sustainable solutions for countries confronted with large influxes of refugees. It will also aim to develop and implement evidence-based solutions, tailored to each context – as well as to test, and learn from, innovative operational solutions, including improving the availability, collection and use of data and evidence.

The overall ILO’s vision within the programme is to strengthen decent work in countries impacted by forced displacement to mitigate stress factors at all levels and support inclusive socio-economic enablers for access to labour markets and empowerment of host communities and of forcibly displaced populations.

The ILO will bring to the programme significant expertise and experience in supporting enabling environments to underpin inclusive socio-economic growth and decent work, strengthen labour markets and promote access to improved working conditions and fundamental rights at work, including through the involvement of its tripartite national constituents The ILO will stimulate labour market demand and immediate job creation through employment-intensive investment, local economic and business development and promotion of specific value chains and market systems.

2. Reporting lines

Under overall responsibility and guidance of the Director of the ILO Country Office in Addis Ababa, the Senior Programme Officer for Enterprise Development will report directly to the CTA for all operational, technical and administrative issues to ensure delivery of technical-related outputs and overall project implementation. Support on technical matters will also be provided by the ILO CO in Addis Ababa, DWT in Cairo and relevant departments and specialists in ILO headquarters.

3. Main duties and responsibilities

Enterprise Development

• Provide advice on analysis of economic and labour market trends in host communities and refugees settlements to help design and implement interventions for enterprise development and small business promotion as well as align them with the broader policy frameworks and employment creation potentials through a market system approach.
• Provide inputs in the development of knowledge products and tools that support ILO social partners and other project partners to undertake local economic development assessments such as market systems analysis and design, implement appropriate inclusive labour market and market systems development interventions.
• Facilitate effective participation of employers’ organisations and trade unions in enterprise development initiatives and local economic development opportunities for host communities and refugee settlements.
• Provide inputs, advice and lead capacity building measures for local partners including training providers, business development services providers and social partners.
• Provide input and support in the design and operationalization of competitive grant schemes for entrepreneurship and business start-up for refugee host communities and refugees, including for local media aimed at promoting peaceful co-existence of host communities and refugees.
• Design sustainable livelihood interventions targeting vulnerable households to unlock their potential to actively participate in the labour market through partnership, capacity development and institutionalization of innovative approaches and activities

Programme management and implementation

• In collaboration with the CTA, participate in inter-agency coordination review, planning and coordination meetings and processes in relation to inclusion with other programme pillars.
• Support the effective monitoring and evaluation of project interventions and undertake periodic monitoring and evaluation of project interventions at project field sites and provide support to project partners on effective use of tools and methodologies for planning, monitoring and reporting on project interventions.
• Plan for implementation, monitoring and/or coordination of enterprise activities of the project by reviewing, monitoring, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
• Draft activities, provide quality inputs to technical progress reports highlighting progress towards programme targets and contribute in the documentation and dissemination of project success and lessons learned
• Prepare terms of references for consultants and participate in sourcing and evaluation of local service providers/consultants as appropriate.
• Participate in and as appropriate, lead the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and other project events.
• Represent the ILO during field level meetings related to the project as well as other related meetings with other UN agencies, donors field visits and thematic donor meetings, district level and regional forums as well as Sector meetings of tripartite partners.

• Assist in the programming and control of project resources; prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts based on planned activities.
• Collaborate with other programmes (both within and out of ILO) in the field and take advantage of opportunities for enhanced programme synergy and improved outcomes.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the CTA.

4. Qualifications requirements

Education

• A first level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in development, business management, social science, economics, labour, technical and vocational education or a related discipline/field.

Experience

• At least three years’ experience in design, management and implementation of projects in enterprise development, market-based interventions, and livelihoods support to host communities and refugees.
• Experience working with the United Nations, ministries of labour or other government ministries, departments and agencies, would be an added advantage, as would
• Working experience in development response to crisis/refugee settings

Languages

• Excellent knowledge and command of English. Working knowledge of Amharic.

Competencies

• Proven ability to take ownership of responsibilities, act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Good knowledge of the market systems approach and entrepreneurship promotion tools
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice, and work effectively in a team, with interpersonal skills.
• Ability to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research.
• Ability to promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Excellent computer/information application skills, including word processing, excel, power point etc.

• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Good knowledge of ILO programme and budget, project formulation and evaluation techniques and practices as well as knowledge of ILO social partners is essential.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development co-operation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments, social partners and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services. Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.