National Project Coordinator - NOB (DC) 1

Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Team for Eastern and Southern Africa and Country Office for South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini (DWT/CO-Pretoria) and will contribute to the implementation of the “Equipping South Africa’s workforce for a just transition through up-skilling and re-skilling” project financed by the GIZ on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and co-funded by the Swiss State Secretariat (SECO). The project aims to improve employment prospects of the South African workforce, through the identification and implementation of just energy transition pathways in selected provinces, economic sectors and occupations.
Conceived under the framework of the Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) in South Africa, and as a direct contribution to the Just Energy Transition Skills Chapter Implementation Plan, the project aims to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the global shift towards sustainable and green economies, focusing on specific sectors, value chains, and industries that can absorb or unlock job opportunities identified through social dialogue, with strong focus on the vulnerable populations and geographical locations that are particularly affected by a just transition to environmentally sustainable economy and society in South Africa.
With the understanding that just transition strategies need to be tailored to the needs of local governments, industries, social partners and communities, the project takes a phased approach, whereby the scope and scale of intervention, informed by research, will start with the identification of a pilot project for a limited sample of beneficiaries, that could be replicated for larger audiences or expanded into both supply and demand side additional interventions, depending on Outputs achieved, further needs identified and buy-in of targeted stakeholders. 
The project interventions consist of 4 components: (1) Research, (2) Stakeholders’ engagement through social dialogue, (3) Identification of target audience, and (4) design of upskilling / reskilling programmes. 
 

Reporting lines

The incumbent will report to the ILO Director for DWT/CO-Pretoria for guidance and day-to-day reporting. S/he will also work closely with the Skills and Lifelong Learning Specialist based in DWT/CO-Pretoria. Regular consultation with the Employers and Workers’ Activities Specialists in the DWT/CO-Pretoria is also required, as well as with the SKILLS branch and the Action Programme on Just Transition in HQs.

Description of Duties

The main duties of the position comprise: 

1.    Lead the project’s timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation through management functions, including gender mainstreaming and provision of technical supervision to the project team and external consultants in line with the ILO policy, rules, and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan.
2.    Monitor progress of programmes, projects and activities by preparing, reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency, and completeness for submission to the ILO and the donor.
3.    Contribute to the design and implementation of research, the organization of stakeholder validation workshops, and the design of upskilling and reskilling programmes in close coordination with tripartite constituents, GIZ and other development partners. 
4.    Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on fundamental rights at work.
5.    Facilitate the ILO constituents’ effective participation in the validation of research design, and findings, the identification of target audiences and the design of re-skilling and up-skilling programmes that would increase employability and job prospects for the identified target populations, sectors, value chains, occupations, skill-levels and geographical locations.
6.    Serve as national programme advisor to the DWT/CO Director on fostering synergies of establishing partnerships between the ILO constituents, research institutions, companies/private sector, training institutions and other stakeholders.
7.    Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.
8.    Identify problems, propose solutions, actions, and follow-up with relevant research institutions, business associations, industry and private sector players, at national, provincial and sectoral levels, and similar agencies, in particular the ILO’s constituents, and other organizations in South Africa, to expedite implementation and meet targets.
9.    Engage key stakeholders to ensure their support to the Department of Higher Education and Training to implement new upskilling and reskilling programmes for the promotion of employability of target populations in selected sectors and value chains focusing on a selected provinces in South Africa.
10.    Actively contribute to resource mobilization and development of country programming objectives in collaboration with ILO team in the country.
11.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, development studies, social science, or related field

Experience

Minimum of three years of experience with proven track record in development cooperation project management in the area the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and/or Skills Development and Lifelong Learning and/or Employment promotion. Experience in mainstreaming green economy principles into related national policies and research agenda. Proven knowledge of the Just Energy Transition plans and stakeholders involved in South Africa would be a key asset.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English. Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization or an official national language of the duty station.

Competencies

•    Good knowledge of resource mobilization
•    Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
•    Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.

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:

•    Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures. 
•    Good knowledge of lobbying and advocacy in industry, including on labour and employment trends in the country
•    Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
•    Ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organizations.
•    Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
•    Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
•    Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
•    Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
•    Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
•    Ability to train and guide personnel.
•    Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
•    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
•    Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.