National Project Officer - NOA

Grade: NOA 

Vacancy no.: CAIRO/DC/NO/2024/11
Publication date: 26 September 2024
Application deadline (midnight Cairo local time): 10 October 2024

Job ID: 12383 
Department: RO-Africa 
Organization Unit: DWT/CO-Cairo 
Location: Cairo, Egypt    
Contract type: Fixed Term 

Contract duration: ‎12 months (with possibility of extension subject ‎to performance and availability of fund)‎ 

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in development 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 above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

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* 

*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment criteria.

Development 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. Extensions of development cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.

The Egyptian National Child Labour Survey (2010) reported that there is a total of 1.8 million working children in Egypt, out of which 1.6 million children are engaged in hazardous or unlawful forms of work.

The Government of Egypt has expressed strong political will to accelerate actions on the elimination of child labour. Accordingly, with the support of ILO, the Government of Egypt, led by the Ministry of Labour (MOL), launched the National Action Plan for Combating Child Labour and Supporting Families (2018-2025) (NAP). In the NAP, Egypt identified roles and objectives of the Governmental agencies, employers’ and workers’ organizations responsible for assisting children in or at risk of child labour and promoted joint actions towards tackling this issue.

Accelerate the Elimination of Child Labour, Improving Working Conditions and Empowering Families in Jasmine Supply Chain in Egypt  (ACCEL Egypt -Harvesting the Future) project aims to eliminating child labour in Jasmine picking through child protection measures and improving working conditions in the Jasmine supply chain in Egypt as well as   addressing the working conditions issues in the Jasmine production through the partnership between Fair Labour Association and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

This position is required to provide programming and administrative support to implement activities in the area of eliminating child labour. Incumbent is responsible to review child labour related reports, coordinate with the project team, partners and beneficiaries in the field and assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating planned activities.

Reporting lines

The National Project Officer will provide technical and administrative support to the project and will report directly to the Project Manager and liaise with the National Project Coordinator under the overall responsibility of the Decent Work Team/Country Director for Egypt and Eritrea.

1. Review and analyse the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information. Identify potential technical cooperation areas and provide written analysis on the findings to the Country Director.

2. Work in close collaboration with project partners 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.

3. 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. 

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

5. 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. Carry out all operations required for expenditures under development cooperation funding, ensuring the most rational use of the funds. This includes making calculations, requesting funds, checking supporting justifying documents and making payments. Reviews complex cases making recommendations on improving working procedures in the project. 

6. Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities in the area of eliminating child labour. Actively participate in and provide inputs to child labour relevant documents.

7. 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.

8. Brief the Project Manager, 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. 

9. 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. 

10. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director.

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.

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.

Technical requirements:

Good knowledge of child protection, as well as child labour, poverty reduction, and social policies. Knowledge of the policy making process.

Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of Arabic.

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures, and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Egypt.
• Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations. 
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• 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.

We at the ILO are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, gender, religion, or disability, and are dedicated to promoting disability inclusion across all our practices and policies.

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.

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 assessment centres, 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.

Disclaimer:

• The contract and its continuity is subject to the availibility of funds.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for assessment will be contacted
• Candidates who pass the interview and have good capabilities as may be recommended by the panel, may get selected for similar positions
• The Office reserves to itself the right to appoint candidates at a level below the level of the advertised post depending on their experience
• Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable for this position can also be offered to be assigned on a TEMPORARY position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position