Grade: P3
Vacancy no.: DC/ABIDJAN/P/2023/20
Publication date: 12 September 2023.
Application deadline (midnight Abidjan time): 11 October 2023.
Job ID: 11214
Department: RO-Africa
Organization Unit: RO-Africa
Location: Abidjan
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: 1 year subject to availability 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 present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.
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 one-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.
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 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.
Introduction
The ILO is recruiting a Project Technical Officer โ Youth Employment at the Regional Office for Africa to support its youth employment development cooperation portfolio. The incumbent will support two projects: the ILO-AfDB Jobs Marker System Project as well as the Accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in supply chains in Africa (ACCEL) Project.
ILO-AfDB Jobs Marker System Project: ILO and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are jointly developing a Jobs Marker System (JMS) to maximize jobs outcomes of the Bankโs investments systematically and consistently, while enhancing the monitoring and reporting of job-related development outcomes across both its sovereign operations (SOs) and non-sovereign operations (NSOs). The JMS therefore aims to professionalize the marking, tagging, tracking, and reporting of job outcomes and it has the ambitious objective of shaping the way investments are made by the Bank, to maximize much needed employment gains in the African continent, across all their operations and financial instruments.
The JMS has been designed to be mainstreamed into Bank operations across project life cycles for both SOs and NSOs. As a โsystemโ, it promotes a systemic approach where jobs outcomes are mainstreamed and routinely marked across operations, with value-added design elements being integrated into the system as part of the process of JMS institutionalization. The JMS will be piloted across Africa this year and ILO is consequently seeking a highly motivated professional to join its JMS team. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development, piloting and implementation of a ground-breaking and first-of-its-kind Jobs Marker System aimed at addressing the critical challenge of decent job creation and job outcomes in Africa.
ACCEL: The second phase of the ACCEL Africa project has the overarching goal to accelerate the elimination of child labour in Africa through targeted actions in selected supply chains in Cote dโIvoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda. To achieve its goal, the project uses an innovative system-building approach to tackling child labour that moves away from project-based downstream interventions towards strengthening existing systems that are critical to tackling the root causes of child labour..
The project aims at achieving three outcomes at the sub-national, national, regional and global levels: 1) Policy, legal and institutional frameworks are improved and enforced to address child labour in global supply chains; 2) Innovative and evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of child labour in supply chains are institutionalized; and 3) Strategies to address the root causes of child labour in global supply chains are upscaled through knowledge sharing, partnerships and financing. At each level, it will target the root causes of child labour including access to social protection, decent work for adults/improved livelihoods, the transition from school-to-decent work for youth, and a safe and healthy work environment.
In the second phase of the ACCEL Africa project, the Project Technical Officer โ Youth Employment will work specifically on improving the school-to-work transition of children over the minimum working age with a focus of interventions in Cรดte dโIvoire, Nigeria and Kenya.
Reporting lines
The incumbent will report to the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) of the second phase of the ACCEL Africa project and receive technical supervision from the CTA of the Jobs Marker System Project.
He/she will receive additional technical guidance and work closely with technical specialists from ROAF as well as relevant HQ branches and departments.
Description of Duties
For the โAccelerating action for the elimination of child labour in supply chains in Africaโ project phase II (ca. 50%): Under the supervision of the CTA, the incumbent will:
1. Contribute to the effective implementation of the youth employment components through the timely provision of inputs and outputs, and in assisting the CTA in the planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
2. Conduct and oversee research to understand the linkages between promoting youth employment and combatting child labour through a value chain approach.
3. Contribute to collaborations with private sector stakeholders and training institutions to develop and improve vocational training programs and curricula.
4. Engage and integrate youth perspectives into project strategies and deliver comprehensive \"rights at work\" training sessions. Ensure young workers are aware of their rights, fostering an environment that prevents exploitation and promotes gender equality and non-discrimination.
5. Contribute to establishment of strategic partnerships with institutions at national and regional level, including the African Union, relevant line ministries, social partners and other key stakeholders.
6. Report on the activities of the component to the general project structure.For the โJobs Marker Systemโ project (ca. 50%): Under the supervision of the CTA, the incumbent will:
1. Support the development, piloting, and rollout of the JMS, including by providing technical inputs in the design and drafting of the different modules constituting the JMS
2. Help establish a jobs-focused approach throughout the entire project life cycle of the Bank's operations, notably via revising some of AfDBs key documents and templates, in view of ensuring jobs outcomes are systematically considered
3. Contribute to an effective operational coordination of the joint JMS working group (comprised of experts from both ILO and the AfDB), including organisation of the meetings and ensuring timely follow-up on action. items.
4. Support and facilitate the development and delivery of a JMS training package, including a self-guided online module
5. Provide guidance and support to AfDB staff across the Africa region requesting support in using the JMS via a dedicated helpdesk that will be set up by the JMS project
6. Contribute to communication, knowledge management and dissemination of results of the JMS
7. Support the effective management of funds allocated to the project, in accordance with ILO rules and regulations, including inputs for budget preparation and other related matters.
8. Provide gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks.Required qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree (masterโs or equivalent) in development economics, economics, finance, business management, development studies, or related field. A first-level university degree (bachelorโs or equivalent) in a relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience
Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the implementation of development cooperation projects. Previous experience in at least one of the following areas is required: (i) youth employment promotion; (ii) combatting child labour; (iii) supply chain development; (iv) IFI/DFIโs (such as AfDB).
Languages
Fluency in English and a good working knowledge of French are required.
Competencies
โฆ Sound understanding of labour market challenges and development issues in Africa, including a good grasp of the context and dynamics of decent job creation.
โฆ Strong analytical skills to assess and estimate the impact of job outcomes. Familiarity with Inputs/Outputs modelling methodologies considered a plus.
โฆ Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders. The ability to present complex concepts and findings in a clear and concise manner is essential.
โฆ Proficiency in breaking down difficult problems into smaller, more manageable parts and in identifying and providing solutions
โฆ Ability to think strategically and contribute to the development and refinement of the JMS over time. A proactive and innovative mindset to identify opportunities for improvement and propose solutions.
โฆ Strong collaborative skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams. The ability to build partnerships and work in a multicultural environment is crucial.
โฆ Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, adapt to changing priorities, and meet tight deadlines. Resilience and the ability to handle challenges and setbacks with a positive attitude.
โฆ A passion for promoting sustainable development, decent job creation, social justice and poverty reduction in Africa.
โฆ Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender- responsive, and non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.Conditions of employment
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
- Any extension 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.
For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.
Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.
The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.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.