Chief Technical Advisor

  • Full Time
  • Lusaka, Zambia
  • - / Month
  • Applications have closed

ILO

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.

Introduction

The International Labour Organization, with funding from the European Union (EU) is supporting the Government of Zambia through the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) to implement a 4 year project aimed at contributing towards the improvement of employability of labour force for both women and men by the year 2023. The objectives will be achieved through three complementary areas. The activities will focus on the governance and management structures of Zambia’s TEVET system, the upgrading and maintenance of training facilities and curriculum development. Private sector involvement will be consistently sought, for the updating of the curricula. In addition, the specific objectives of the project are; Enhanced capacities of TEVET Institutions and selected TEVET Regulatory bodies, curricula are reviewed and updated to respond to labour market demands and Improved private sector access to relevant skills in selected strategic/priority sectors is improved.

The project aims at facilitating provision of quality and relevant skills for labour market. Research has identified significant gaps between labour demand and supply, both in terms of number of qualified workers and the relevance of skills and competencies, as one of the main obstacles for investments and increased productivity. One of the main underlying causes is attributed to outdated curricula (not responsive to labour market needs), which is largely oriented to academic achievements rather than to opportunities for employment or enterprise creation. Another challenge is insufficient or outdated equipment and teaching aids coupled with limited access to industry exposure during training. In addition Low morale, unprofessionalism of teachers, Low teacher training capacity and negative attitudes of staff and students have also contributed to poor learning outcomes in TEVET institutions.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) seeks to recruit a self-motivated and committed Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) with demonstrated technical competencies and management abilities to lead the implementation of the Skills Development for increased Employability Project.

The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the programme implementation and provide technical advisory services. 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’s/Programme’s financial and operating procedures.

The CTA will also oversee the work of national officers, international and local consultants hired during the course of the project.

Reporting lines:

Under the overall responsibility of the ILO Lusaka Country Office Director, the Chief Technical Advisor will lead the project staff.   He/she will receive technical guidance for the implementation of the Project from the Skills Specialist in DWT-Pretoria and from Senior Skills Specialists at ILO HQ in the Skills and Employability Branch of the Employment Policy Department.

The incumbent will liaise and work under direct supervision of the Responsible Chief of the project/program in the ILO HQ and will receive technical guidance, support and collaboration with other relevant technical specialists at HQ.

He/She will also oversee the work of Admin and other support staff of the project/program, national officers and any other international and local consultant hired during the course of the project.

Description of Duties

Project management:

1. Ensure effective implementation of the project through timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the responsible field office if applicable.

2. Develop annual work plans and budgets for the effective and efficient implementation of the project and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of project activities, including project contribution to promoting gender equality.

3. Ensure effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project.

4. Maintaining and updating documentation and records relating to project implementation and changes to the initial project document (project/budget revisions, monitoring records, budget financial and administrative documentation, and progress reports,)

Technical leadership and advice:

5. Review, analyse and interpret social-economic, and labour market trends and related skills development requirements in the Country with the view to identify entry points for s for Project interventions.

6. Develop a comprehensive Monitoring & Evaluation System to allow the project to monitor and track all project activities and outputs to ensure progress towards meeting outcomes and development objectives are measured and reported.

7. Undertake technical advisory missions independently and in collaboration with the Decent Work Team or technical units and departments from ILO Geneva.

8. Provide technical guidance to the project team and to Project stakeholders including relevant government agencies, social partners and other key institutions.

9. Plan, organize and facilitate meetings, training seminars and workshops for dialogue and technical consultations as well as for capacity development of implementing partners.

10. Prepare news releases, official correspondence, statements, speeches and social media messages for the public’s access to knowledge and information about the project and how to participate in activities and components of the project.

11. Prepare progress reports to the donor for office submission and attend meetings to update the donor and national implementing partners on project progress and related project matters

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

12. Establish and maintain strong working relations with a wide range of actors in the in the TEVET and Skills development sector in Zambia, including relevant government Ministries, Institutions concerned with employment, education and training, employer and worker organizations and development partners.

13. Liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO’s values, increase the project’s visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO’s interventions and promote ILO policies in the technical areas of the project.optional section (if needed)
(see below continued duties)

Resource Mobilization and Synergy Building

14. Identify possible opportunities for resource mobilization in collaboration with the Country Office and PARDEV for expansion and/or opportunities for co-funding of Project activities from other sources; including identifying and developing technical synergies with related programmes and projects.

Knowledge Management:

15. 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.

16. Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for Project implementing Partners, target groups, key stakeholders and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

17. Undertake any other duties requested by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in the relevant field or in education, labour economics, social sciences, social development, international studies.

Experience

At least seven years’ experience in the management / managing of development cooperation activities in a senior level position, of which at least five years at the international level focusing on Skills Development and Enterprise. This includes field experience in a leadership role for the implementation of project. Experience in the formulation, management, implementation, evaluation or funding of technical cooperation programmes, of which at least three years at the international level.

Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations. Proven management experience, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

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 and good knowledge of another working language.

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 formulate new concepts and methodologies, and to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research;
– 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;
– Should be open to and able to make changes to accommodate culture and gender differences in order to interact effectively with individuals;
– Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of current or future job/role responsibilities;
– Develop self-awareness and show empathy by demonstrating the qualities, traits, or attributes that contribute to the ability to effectively relate to and identify with others.
– 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 problems and opportunities for improvement.

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.

ONLY SHORLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

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: https://jobs.ilo.org/content/International/?locale=en_GB

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.

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.


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