Project Manager, Managing a decent future of work together

Introduction

The project "Managing a decent future of work together - Asia-Pacific, EU and ILO promoting international convergence for higher labour standards” is a collaborative initiative between the European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). With a budget of 5 million Euros for a period of four years, this EU-funded project sets out to address the challenges and opportunities arising from megatrends such as new technologies, demographic shifts, climate change and changing trade patterns, which are significantly impacting decent work opportunities. This project aims to stimulate mutual learning on these common challenges and create opportunities to promote the adoption and effective implementation of international standards and policies in line with shared values. The project focuses on high- and middle-income partner countries in the Asia and the Pacific region, notably Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Palau, India, Malaysia and Thailand, with possible activities also in Brunei. With its focus on social justice and labour protection, the action seeks to increase resilience of the EU and partner countries to future health crises, energy crises, economic crises (which could disrupt trade), as well as security crises. 

The project’s outputs include research and policy dialogues on megatrends with a view to enabling policy shifts towards ensuring more decent work in the EU and in Asia/Pacific,  provision of technical support to promote and facilitate the adoption and/or the implementation of relevant ILO Conventions, as well as enhancing knowledge and understanding among relevant actors of the implications of the megatrends on the world of work and the possible coping mechanisms  through communication and advocacy.

Working with national public institutions, social partners, and research institutes, the project activities will include conducting joint research, organising policy dialogues, workshops, seminars, undertaking capacity development through practical trainings, and developing new tools and knowledge products for social partners and enterprises.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the project the Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the programme implementation and provide technical advisory services towards the development and execution of future programs to be developed in the Project/Programme sector. He/she will ensure that the objectives stated in the project document are attained within the stated time frame and budget, and ensure compliance with the ILO and the Project/Programme's financial and operating procedures. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

Reporting lines: 

The Project Manager will liaise and work under the  supervision of the Deputy Regional Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and  technical guidance of the Head of the Regional Economic and Social Analysis Unit (RESA) in the ILO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific. The project will also receive technical support from Research and Publications Department in ILO Geneva and additional expertise will be sought from other technical departments and specialists in Headquarters, ILO Decent Work Team Bangkok and ILO Decent Work Team Delhi.

Description of Duties

Project management:

1. Ensure effective implementation of the project/program through: the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the 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 programs, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the responsible Field Office, if applicable.

2. Responsible for the effective management of funds/budget allocated to the project.

3. Manage the human resources of the project/program efficiently, including recruitment and performance management.

Technical leadership and advice:

4.  Provide technical advice and secretariat support to relevant governments, ministries  and other key partners, in close collaboration with the responsible Chief.

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

5. Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with governments, ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of project /programme activities. 

6. Liaise with the EU and other UN counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO's interventions. 

7. Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project/programme, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards, in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

Mobilization of resources:

8. Undertake local resource mobilization activities with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the development of future activities linked to the project/programme in coordination with the responsible Country Office and PARDEV.

Knowledge management:

9. Write and disseminate information on project/program materials in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists at the HQ.

10. Ensure the development of information databases covering project/program activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programs.

11. Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

12. Supervise any research under the project and coordinate the contracting of services and goods following ILO contract modalities.

optional section (if needed)

13.    Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics, business management, social science or a 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 seven years of relevant professional experience  including at the international level. Experience with EU-funded projects is desirable.

Indicate any other required knowledge and/or experience in a specific field if necessary

Optional: Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and/or education would be an advantage.
 

Languages

Excellent command of English. 

Competencies

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to 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.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• 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.
• 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.