Chief Technical Advisor

Job Description

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.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Introduction

Somalia is severely fragile and impoverished, with half of the population living below the poverty line. Domestic revenue is still insufficient to allow the government to deliver services to citizens. Ongoing and sustained conflict for three decades has bequeathed a legacy of poor and damaged infrastructure in Somalia, caused by the direct impact of military operations, but also by a virtually non-existent system of infrastructure management, rehabilitation and maintenance. Public infrastructure including roads, waste management systems, electricity grids and public buildings such as schools and healthcare facilities are in need of fundamental rehabilitation, and in many cases need to be built from scratch. Roads are often impassable which has left many communities without access to local markets or basic services such as health centres. This has resulted in lack of physical access to livelihood and employment opportunities for all Somalis but has had a particularly severe impact on returnees and IDPs. Moreover, the governance Institutions, both at local and national level, lack institutional, technical, financial and management capacity.

The poor state of infrastructure is ranked as the most significant obstacle to socio-economic recovery and human development in Somalia today. A 2018 study by European Union (EU) recommended “an increase investment in a range of basic services, livelihoods, housing, security and protection in cities so that displaced people (in particular IDPs and returnees) can not only feel they belong but enjoy better living standards, which are currently very poor for many displaced and returning people.”  Moreover, a recent mission by KfW officials echoes these views and identified urban infrastructure as critical to enhance the livelihoods of host communities, returnees and IDPs.

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The country is characterized by a complex, protracted displacement environment. There are 1.1 million internally displaced people in Somalia and approximately one million Somali refugees hosted in the Horn of Africa region, making Somalia one of the largest and most protracted displacement situations worldwide. Following the decision made by the Government of Kenya on 6 May 2016 to close the Dadaab and Baidoa refugee camps, Somalia has been receiving huge number of returnees from Kenya.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), between December 2014 and the end of 2018, 87,051 Somali refugees have returned home, 82,840 from Kenya alone. Three locations have been established as the preferred location for these returnees: Baidoa, Kismayo and Mogadishu, representing 11 per cent, 64 per cent and 27 per cent of the returnees respectively.  In terms of livelihoods in Baidoa district, 59 per cent rely on day labour, 25 per cent contracted jobs and 6 per cent on humanitarian assistance. It is estimated that there are 371 IDP sites with 42,032 households in Baidoa (UNHCR, CCCM cluster, REACH initiative September 2018). 60 per cent of the IDPs in Baidoa cited the lack of jobs and sustainable income as their main challenge to resuming life in their home country.

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New and protracted internal displacement in Somalia is linked to multiple drivers, including recurrent or persistent exposure to internal conflict and climate-related hazards. Protracted displacement tends to be urban in nature. Most IDPs are driven to urban areas by conflict and drought or following eviction from their homes or shelters. They are seeking security, basic services and the means to a livelihood. At 71 per cent the highest poverty levels in Somalia are found in IDP and returnee settlements.

ILO in March 2019 conducted field assessments in Baidoa to identify initial local infrastructure and community asset development needs and priorities in the selected IDP settlement areas; assess potential scope and technical areas of possible EIIP interventions to provide employment opportunities to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees and their host communities through public investment;, institutional capacity building and technical training of local implementing bodies (local governments, contractors and labourers) will be a key component of the proposed EIIP intervention.

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The project will focus on permanent IDP settlements in the outskirts of Baidoa and will build on the past and current ILO projects in Baidoa. The project is directly linked to the UNHCR’s repatriation and integration programme for refugees and IDPs in Somalia and will serve to complement the World Bank Multi Partner Fund (MPF).  The MPF is implementing a number of initiatives in the city and the project will adopt technical, environmental and social standards, specifications and operating procedures that are already in place. Also, payment to direct beneficiaries (unskilled workers) will be harmonised between the MPF and the ILO projects. The ILO is actively engaged in UN and International Development Partners’ working groups. This will ensure synergies are created, thus avoiding overlaps and duplication, while harmonization and effective implementation and monitoring of interventions are further promoted

A Chief Technical Adviser will be recruited to oversee the implementation of the project measures.

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The Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) will provide overall project guidance and control. The scope of competencies includes institutional coordination and support, project planning and programming of urban integrated infrastructure works, procurement of services for planning, design, and management of construction contracts plus development of training programmes and management of training of public sector partners and private sector actors.

One of the key functions of the CTA is to facilitate linkages and collaboration between the identified project partners. The CTA will be responsible for the coordination with the World Bank (WB), UN agencies and bi-lateral organisations with regard to infrastructure works planning and implementation, ensuring complementarity and coherence in prioritized projects. In addition, the CTA will ensure cooperation and synergies with other relevant ILO initiatives, particularly with Joint Programme for Local Governance (JPLG). Capacity building is a key element in the job description for the CTA and all activities will be undertaken in support of the Baidoa District Authority institution and the local counterpart staff.

Reporting lines

• The Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) will report to the Director of the ILO Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, and the Special Representative to the AU and the ECA (CO-Addis Ababa) for operational and administrative issues and receive technical guidance from the EIIP Specialist in Mogadishu. He/she will work in close collaboration with the District Administration and Ministry of Public Works in Baidoa. He/she will also receive technical guidance and support from relevant technical specialists at the Employment in Investment Branch (EMPINVEST) at ILO HQ.

• The Chief Technical Adviser will oversee the work of the Training Adviser, Security Officer, national project staff, and international and local consultants hired during the course of the implementation of the project

Description of Duties

Project management:

1. Identify programme priorities and develop strategies and work methods in line with EIIP principles to deliver high-quality technical support at the national and local levels and advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, taking into account the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
2. Responsible for effective management, coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all 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.

3. Manage funds/budgets allocated to the project and ensure the preparation of periodic progress reports for submission in accordance with the established rules and procedures. Ensure that key risks are identified, assessed, documented and managed to contribute to the achievement of agreed results and that risk management is embedded in core processes and functions.
4.  Manage efficiently the human resources of the project including recruitment and performance management.

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Technical leadership and advice:

1. Coordinate and take part in the formulation and development of labour based policy frameworks and strategies, technical and managerial tools, training manuals or any other document that can contribute to an effective JERR project planning, implementation and monitoring.
2. Provide technical expertise and advice to the project team and when required to the stakeholders of the project, including relevant government agencies and other key institutions Ensure that technical interventions and decisions are well founded and take into account the specific nature of the project objectives as well as optimising labour intensity in Roads Projects. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.
3. Manage and actively participate in the planning and conduct of capacity building training and Re-orientation of local authorities, small scale contractors and community groups involved in coordinating, implementation and managing labour-based works.
4. Participate in the design and monitoring of field trials and quality assurance activities that will lead to increased productivity, improved quality and effective delivery of employment intensive infrastructure works/projects
5. Ensure technical coherence among various ILO activities and projects in the area of EIIP in Mozambique and promote linkages between EIIP activities as well as the National Employment Policy and other employment sector related government strategies.

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Advocacy, networking and partnership:

1. Produce discussion documents to assist in the development and promotion of employment intensive infrastructure investment policies, strategies and implementation tools for adoption by implementing agencies.

2. Develop and maintain excellent relations with governments, ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of project/programme activities.
3.  Liaise and coordinate with the other UN agencies and counterparts to promote ILO values, increase the project visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO’s interventions.
4. Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists.

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Mobilization of resources:

1. Maintain strong relationships with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community and oversee and monitor resource mobilization proposals in coordination with the responsible Country Office and PARDEV.

Knowledge management:

1. Design communication and knowledge-sharing strategies and lead the development of the project information materials.
2. Ensure the development of information databases covering project/programme activities. Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of planning and implementation and establish coordination with concerned ILO Departments and Field Offices.
3. Identify training needs and lead training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.
4. Represent the Office at meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks of government policymakers, workers’ and employers’ organizations and civil society organizations.
5. Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications requirements:

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in civil engineering or another relevant discipline, preferably supplemented with relevant training on management and/or contractors’ development. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years of relevant experience, including  at the international level, in managing rural roads and urban integrated infrastructure- roads, drainage, streetlighting, markets and other public facilities projects in challenging, fragile and insecure  environments, in collaboration with government of developing countries, with local representatives of donor agencies, and a heterogeneous teams composed of consultants, experts and local collaborators of different educational and cultural background. Experiences preferably include;

• • Preparation of concepts and strategies for local resourced -based methods for projects in Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus.
  • Proven experience in the Development and implementation of employment-intensive (labour-based) programmes
  • Development and delivery of training programmes, including procurement and administration, contracts management and business skills
  • Familiarity with the participatory decision making process in rural infrastructure and urban integrated infrastructure development projects
  • Knowledge of governments’ refugee programmes and modus operandi.

Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures, including experience working with officials of ministries of labour, public works, and local government/authorities in a decentralized environment, and experience of working in crisis settings.

Languages

• Excellent command of English is required, knowledge of Somali language is considered a significant asset.

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 strategies and design training materials.
• Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.

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• Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation project/programme activities with partners.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to provide high quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities;
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

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 the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

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.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse. 
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

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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