Technical Programme Officer / Deputy Programme Manager

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. 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 (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon) and in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan).

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 aims to accelerate efforts to find sustainable solutions for countries confronted with large influxes of refugees. It aims to develop and implement evidence-based solutions, tailored to each context – as well as 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.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Partnership programme, the Technical Programme Officer/Deputy Programme Manager will assist the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) based in Addis Ababa in matters relating to the day-to-day management of all components of programme implementation in Ethiopia, providing technical support and assistance for the implementation of objectives, outputs and activities.

S/he will work closely with the Ethiopia programme team, ILO constituents, programme partners and ILO technical units in HQ and Decent Work Team (DWT) in Cairo to assist the execution of the programme and work plan. The incumbent will also provide support in terms of programming, workplan development, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, training and backstopping project activities.

2. Reporting lines

The incumbent will report directly to the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) of the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme for Ethiopia and Sudan. Additional support on technical matters will be provided by the Decent Work Team (DWT) in Cairo, the ILO Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) in Abidjan and relevant HQ departments.

3. Main duties and responsibilities

Programme management and implementation

• Assist the CTA in the implementation of the work of the PROSPECTS Ethiopia Programme by providing technical inputs, planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Deliveries and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programmes, and the administrative and financial procedures.
• Ensure effective management of funds/budget assigned to PROSPECTS Ethiopia based on the work plan agreed on with the CTA.
• Support efforts to strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with, among others, relevant line ministries, ILO social partners, civil society organisations, partnerships, and other humanitarian and development organisations and relevant UN partners.

Technical support

• In collaboration with the CTA, provide technical advice and support to PROSPECTS Ethiopia team and partners in the design and implementation of the programme activities, in coordination with the ILO DWT, ROAF and HQ Offices. Technical areas include, but are not limited to, skills development, enterprise and market systems development, financial inclusion, social cohesion, social protection, youth, disability and employment programming- including Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP).
• Ensure effective linkages and synergies across the various outcomes of the programme and with other ILO projects and programmes to promote cross-learning, enhance efficiency, and maximize collective impact.
• Provide support to identify training needs for the tripartite partners on Forced Displacement programming as appropriate to reinforce tripartite involvement and participation in implementing PROSPECTS Programmes.
• Provide technical guidance and support in the capacity building of implementing partners to facilitate knowledge, awareness and smooth implementation of employment promotion programmes and initiatives.

• In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer as well as with the Communications Officer, support the CTA in providing technical inputs to refine the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Plan, Programme Implementation, Results Matrix and the communication strategy.
• Participate in the relevant UN and development partners’ working groups and platforms on forced displacement to promote the ILO’s values and share results and good practices under PROSPECTS Ethiopia.
• In collaboration with the CTA, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with national and local authorities as well as with regional bodies such as the African Union (AU) and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to support regional integration and coordination on refugee inclusion initiatives.
• Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of PROSPECTS, other fundamental principle and rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards including the ILO’s Guiding Principles on the access of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons to the labour markets (2016). Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

Reporting and knowledge management

• Provide support in the preparation and timely completion of technical progress reports, ensuring provision of comprehensive and detailed information, extracting lessons-learned and swift implementation of mitigation measures.
• Provide support to the project efforts to monitor and evaluate the programme activities, in close collaboration with national staff, the Country Office in Addis Ababa, the ILO DWT in Cairo and technical specialists in HQ, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies.
• Provide support for the programme to identify and document lessons learned and contribute to knowledge management activities to expand and enhance learning on supporting the access of refugees, forcibly displaced persons and host communities to decent work.
• Contribute to research, assessments and knowledge products, while ensuring coordination with relevant specialists, and integrating technical inputs for regional and country analysis, reports and publications related decent work for refugees, considering relevant international standards.

Resource mobilization

• Support the CTA in design, development, and presentation of proposals for new projects, and contribute to resource mobilization in coordination and consultation with ILO CO Addis Ababa, ROAF and PARTNERSHIPS.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the CTA and Country Office Director.

4. Qualifications required

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Development, Economics, Law, Social Sciences, International Development, Public Administration or any other related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least five years of relevant professional experience. Experience in the field and familiarity of refugee and displacement policies and responses, especially in the context of labour market and livelihood integration would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures, including experience working with the United Nations, Ministries of Labour, Education, Refugees or other government Departments and Agencies, would be an added advantage, as would experience of working in crisis settings.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge and command of English.

Competencies

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of labour market access for refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.
• Ability to provide policy advice.
• Ability to work effectively in and lead a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to support the development and design training materials and programmes.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, programme formulation and implementation.

• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs as required.
• Excellent knowledge of technical cooperation principles, concepts and techniques.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to perform complex analyses on a wide range of factors, requirements, policies and priorities for the assessment and implementation of projects.
• Excellent trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to successfully mobilize resources.
• Ability to plan and organise work and to provide guidance and training to staff members.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer/information application skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.