Introduction

Zimbabwe is categorized as a low-income country with an estimated population of 15.7 million, where women constitute the majority at 52% and the youth, aged between 15 and 35, make up 35.7% of the population. The country's Human Development Index (HDI) value for 2022 stands at 0.550, positioning it in the medium human development category, ranked 159 out of 193 countries.  The Gender Inequality Index (GII) value for 2022, at 0.519 indicates significant gender disparities Poverty rates are disproportionately high in rural areas, at 86%, compared to the overall poverty rate of 70.5% The youth (15-35 years) unemployment rate stood at 27.9% (38.2%, female) in Q1:2024 whilst the national unemployment rate (16+ years and above) stood at 20.5% (23.6% female).  The Employment to Population Ratio (EPR) is notably low at 34.9%, and youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) stood at 2.3 million representing 48.9% of the total number of youth aged 15-35 years. According to the Q1 (Jan – March 2024) - Q1: 2024 Quarterly Labour Force Survey report (QLFS), employed persons in the Informal Sector (Non-Agriculture) constituted 41.3 percent of all employed persons. The overarching development policy framework, Vision 2030, aims to transform Zimbabwe into a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030. The government is currently executing the second series of three national strategies, the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) for 2021–2025, which is focused on bolstering private sector development to foster inclusive growth, enhance the quality of life for Zimbabweans, and address fragility while building resilience. The NDS1 prioritizes gender equality in line with the theme of ‘’leaving no-one and no place behind’’. The NDS 1 also priorities climate resilience and natural resources management.

2. The proposed project is in line with priority number 3 of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), moving the economy up the value chains and structural transformation. The NDS1 is aimed at realizing the Country’s vision 2030 by among other things prioritizing the promotion of enterprise development and job creation. The project is also aligned to Zimbabwe’s Youth Policy (2000) particularly strategic areas 5.2 and 5.3 youth empowerment and participation and youth employment and access to resources, respectively.

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The project is aligned with the objectives and priorities of the Zimbabwe Country Brief (CB) 2024-2026 specifically, Priority Area 2– Enhanced private sector investment for inclusive growth. The project is also aligned with the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) which focuses on investing in young people and 3 of the Bank’s High 5s, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The project further aligns with the Bank’s Gender Strategy "Investing in Africa's women to accelerate inclusive growth" (2021-2025) and the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (2016-2025) as well as the Bank Group Strategy on Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa (2022-2026).  In terms of fragility, the Bank categorizes Zimbabwe as a “Category 1” country, reflecting high levels of risk and uncertainty. Women and young people remain disproportionately affected by economic conditions, poverty, and unemployment. Furthermore, the project is critical to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 workplan. The project is also aligned to the following Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2, end hunger, food security, and improved nutrition, sustainable agriculture, SDG 4: ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities, SDG 5: achieve gender equality and employment for all women and girls, SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all and SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Additionally, the project is aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and will contribute to its focus on Education and Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) driven revolution, gender equality and youth empowerment, as well as inclusive growth and sustainable development. 

Reporting lines

The incumbent will work under the overall responsibility of the Director of the ILO Country Office and will also work closely with the DWT Pretoria, particularly the Specialists for Employment, Skills Development, and Sustainable Enterprises, respectively.T

Description of Duties

1.    Lead the project timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan.
 
2.    Contribute proposals for programme/project development and serve as national programme advisor to the Directorate and draft portions of programme and budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, country strategy papers, objectives, project reviews and evaluation. Monitor progress of ILO programmes, projects and activities by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
 
2.    Identify problems, propose solutions and action and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
 
3.    Provide or ensure access to legal and policy advice to the government and the social partners on issues related to the effective implementation of the fundamental principles and rights at work, with a particular emphasis on freedom of association and collective bargaining.
 
4.    Organize training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding on fundamental principles and rights at work.
 
5.    Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on fundamental rights at work. Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities
 
7.    Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.
8.    Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical activities under the project including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.
 
9.    Represent the project in various fora, under the guidance of the ILO Director.
 
10.    Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in Pretoria, other colleagues in the field and HQ on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
 
11.    Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project’s components according to the project’s document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor.
 
12.    Responsible for the effective administrative management of the project, including guidance and supervision of the personnel assigned to the project.
 
13.    Ensure high-level communications to increase project’s visibility at the national and international levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with the UN country team, and other key stakeholders, to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance of CO-specific countries maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, social sciences, or related field and strong knowledge on development issues particularly in Zimbabwe.

Experience

At least three years of experience in project management, supervision, administration and implementation of grant/cooperative agreement requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to the project donor).
 
Technical requirements: Good knowledge of labour economics as well as economic developments, poverty reduction, and social policies. Knowledge of the policy making process.

Languages

Languages: Excellent command of English.

Competencies

1.  Good knowledge about social, economic development, including labor and employment, trends in the country 
2.   Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
3.    Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organizations.
4.    Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
5.    Ability to conduct action oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
6.   Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
7.   Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
8.    Ability to train and guide personnel.
9.   Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications .
10.    Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.  
11.   Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes

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Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable but not selected for this position can also be offered to be assigned on another temporary position at the same or at a lower grade provided the said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position.