Grade: NOA
Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/2024/04
Publication date: 21 February 2024
Application deadline (midnight local time): 7 March 2024
Job ID: 11694
Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Location: Baghdad
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: Two years renewable, subject to availabality of Funds
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.
In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.
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*
*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.
The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A two-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.
*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade. The entry level salary for this position is 45,742 (USD) yearly.
Introduction
The project Promotion of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq Project is a five year project funded by the KFW.
The project aims to provide sustainable access to financial services for already operating but also start-up SMEs in Iraq for an improved job creation with focus on youth and women. This will take place through credit guarantees offered to commercial banks which lend to SMEs. Capacity building within project national partners including ICBG and participating financial institutions is a first step followed by funds injection in ICBG. The overall objective is to contribute to Iraqโs private sector development through enhancing the productivity of SMEs and hence their job creation potential.
The proposed Project structure combines three components, which are considered necessary for a significant contribution to the financial inclusion of SMEs in Iraq:
(i) SME window established by selected private PFIs through their own capital funds for SMEs
(ii) an effective credit guarantee scheme: which is critical to overcome the obstacles that SMEs face in securing acceptable collaterals
(iii) Technical assistance to capacitate the PFIs, ICBG, as well as the SMEs
Reporting lines
The National Project Coordinator will report to the Chief Technical Advisor. The incumbent will receive technical guidance from the Regional Enterprise Specialist in the Decent Work Team in Beirut, as well as Social Finance and SMEs units of the HQ Enterprise Department. The incumbent will work closely with PROSPECTS team in Iraq.
Description of Duties
- Coordinate with partner UN agencies, I/NGOs, Banks and MFIs, BDS providers to establish project annual work plans activities, especially for assessing institutional and capacity development of its different partners.
- Follow-up with relevant technical officers and line ministries at national level, partner agencies, Banks/MFIs and NGOs, government offices and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
- Monitor adherence to labour laws and Decent Work principles and provide guidance and recommendations to the project contractors, implementing partners and SMEs.
- Regularly update and monitor the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and assist the project team in implementing the Environmental & Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).
- Support the project team in promoting effective inclusion in the works and in recording grievances of beneficiaries and in resolving the issues as well as documenting lessons learnt and recommend solutions for identified areas of concerns in close coordination with the M&E officer.
- Identify issues, blockages, misunderstandings, or other possible misgivings occurring in community related components project and provide suggestions for corrective action.
- Deliver training and awareness-raising activities relating to social and environment safeguards (environmental safeguards and OSH) to staff, contractors, SMES, where required.
Description of Duties
- Produce monthly reports, minutes of meetings, training reports and monthly updates on the implementation of the environment and social safeguard framework.
- Participate in the preparation and conducting of a due diligence of local partner banks to assess their readiness and needs for project implementation.
- Monitor the progress of Project activities by reviewing, verifying, and analyzing workplans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency, and completeness. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.
- Participate in the preparation and review of entrepreneursโ applications for loans to be referred to relevant partner bank or MFI.
- Provide timely, accurate and pertinent information on budget matters for operational decision-making purposes.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the CTA and the Country Coordinator.
Education
First level university degree in economics, finance, business administration, Law, development studies or a relevant field.
Experience
At least two years of professional experience in project implementation namely within the financial sector and entrepreneurship support. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies, private financial sector players and development partners would be an asset.
Technical requirements:
Good knowledge of the development field with particular focus on financial sector, ESS and entrepreneurship and good knowledge of local economic development, livelihood support, financial inclusion and literacy as well as BDS provision. Knowledge of ILO enterprise development work/social finance is an asset.
Languages
Excellent command of Arabic and Kurdish languages; very good command of English is needed.
Competencies
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:
- Good coordination and organizational skills
- Good analytical skills and ability to collect assessment and survey data and process them through good drafting skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate collaborative and teamwork experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as 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.
- Proficient in Microsoft Words, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers, and database applications
- Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Fraud warning
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.