National Project Coordinator - NOA (DC)

Introduction

Kosovo’s HoReCa (hotel/restaurant/catering) sector has the potential of driving strong employment growth and local economic development, thereby contributing to the social inclusion of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and young people and reducing incentives to out-migration. To realize this potential for more and better employment, key sector stakeholders need to work in partnership and overcome a set of complex and interconnected constraints that are embedded in the social, political, institutional and economic systems prevailing in Kosovo. 

The ILO development cooperation project ‘’Hospital, Resilient, Capable (HoReCa) Kosovo’’ funded by the Government of Italy will support key sectors’ stakeholders in addressing root causes that can be traced to both supply side and demand side factors, i.e. within the institutions that are responsible for providing relevant skills, competences (including entrepreneurial ones), and guidance to the workforce (supply side), and within the enterprises operating in the sector, where employers may not always be aware of concrete steps they can take to improve working conditions, retain talent, and increase productivity overall (demand side).
The overall objective of the Project is to contribute to the inclusion of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and young people at risk of exclusion and to reducing incentives to out-migration. 

The specific objective of the Project is to generate more, better, and resilient jobs in Kosovo’s HoReCa sector.  The timeframe of the project is 36 months during the period 2024-2027. 

The incumbent will coordinate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project and manage the day-to-day operations and administrative duties of the project.  

Reporting lines

The National Project Coordinator will report directly to the Senior Programme Officer in Prishtina. The National Project Coordinator will work under the technical guidance of the Enterprise Specialist, the Skills and Employability Specialist and the Employment Specialist of the DWT/CO-Budapest.

Description of Duties

1. Work in close collaboration with stakeholders, including but not limited to: Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, Innovation (MESTI); Ministry of Finance, Labour, Transfers (MFLT); Public Employment Service Agency; Workers’ Organizations; Employers’ Organizations; as well targeted vocational education schools, training centers, and enterprises  ) to design and revise project annual work plans, as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

2. Review, verify and analyze work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness, and monitor the progress of project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities. 

3. Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets. 

4. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems and propose solutions and actions. 

5. Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities in the area of skills, TVET, employment, enterprise development and procurement. Actively participate in and provide inputs to the ILO’s Programme of work in Kosovo, UNSDCF’s Result Groups, UN Communication Group, and other  frameworks relevant for the project. 

6. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

7. Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate into local language official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials. 

8. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project. 

9. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the direct supervisor 

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, public policies, development studies or a relevant field. An advanced degree on studies on labour economics would be a strong advantage.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with institutions in charge of policy making and/or/with development partners would be an asset. Prior experience in the HoReCa sector would be considered an asset. 

Technical requirements:

Good knowledge of skills development, technical vocational and education training sustainable enterprise development and productivity enhancement. Knowledge of the policy making process. Knowledge of procurement process would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of the working language of the duty station and a good knowledge of English.

Competencies

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures, and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Kosovo.
• Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations, in particular for procurement processes. 
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges in the fields of skills policies and TVET and sustainable enterprise development, including the enabling environment and productivity enhancement. 
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• Familiarity with the concept of decent work and how it translates into development cooperation initiatives.
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information.
• Demonstrate collaborative and teamwork experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, as well as to 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 Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications. 
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.