Project Officer - Community Facilitation

Job Title: Project Officer - Community Facilitation, REP

Organization: International Labour Organization (ILO)

Grade: NOA 

Vacancy no.: DC/VIENTIANE/NO/2023/01
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Application deadline (midnight local time): 23 August 2023

Job ID: 11109 
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific 
Organization Unit: CO-Bangkok 
Location: Savannkhet, Laos
Contract type: Fixed Term 

Contract duration: One year (with possibility of renewal) 

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 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 and eligibility criteria. 

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. 

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. 

*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 entry level salary for this position is US$22,412.- yearly.

Introduction

The International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has initiated Phase 1 of Rural Employment Promotion (REP) project (2022 – 2027) which aims to support the Government of Lao PDR to implement the National Rural Employment Strategy (NRES). REP has already received funding support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project will leverage experiences and technical expertise of the ILO and UNFPA with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW) as the main implementing partner to: 
•    Strengthen the capacity of government and relevant membership organizations to facilitate the implementation of NRES and create an enabling environment for rural investment and employment through promotion of public-private partnerships, policy dialogues, and capacity building;
•    Increase demand for labour and generate better employment opportunities for rural women and men, including persons with disabilities, youth, returned migrant workers, and LGBTQI by addressing systemic barriers to productivity, competition, trade, and market integration. 
•    Enhance employability of rural women and men, including persons with disabilities, youth, returned migrant workers and LGBTQI especially in off-farm sectors and effectively link them to decent employment opportunities through skills upgrading and strengthening of employment services. 
•    Increase access of rural women particularly those of ethnic minority groups to economic opportunities and the power to act on these opportunities and make decisions that benefit themselves, their families and communities as a result of the enhanced conducive environment, elimination of discriminatory social norms, realignment of incentive structures, rules, relationships and support services in a way that promotes women’s reproductive and sexual health rights and gender equality.  

The incumbent is required to support field activities at provincial and districts level and provide technical support to district and provincial staff including extension workers, small holders and farmers in implementation of activities under the supervision of Provincial Project Coordinator and Chief Technical Advisor (Project Manager). The incumbent will be responsible for supervision and monitoring the implementation of activities in target communities to ensure achievement of project outputs in target communities.

 

Reporting lines: 
The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Provincial Project Coordinator and the Chief Technical Advisor (Project Manager) of REP project.

Description of Duties

1.    Implement the project activities in districts of the target province, establishing relations with local authorities, national agencies (especially MOLSW, LFTU and LNCCI, and Rural Development and Poverty Deduction Office) and other stakeholders. 
2.    Work closely with Provincial Project Coordinator to stablish the provincial project steering committees and oversee their progress.
3.    Develop a workplan based on close consultation with local stakeholders and social partners and on joint assessment of priority needs, gaps, target groups, realistic milestones and relevant budget.
4.    Provide technical support to the project activities at the local level in accordance with the project workplan. 
5.    Plan, design and support the various project components.
6.    Work with local communities and help to identify, organize, and implement the rural employment promotion activities including in the areas of community asset development, value chain upgrading and skills development.
7.    Assist in further developing the rural employment promotion approach. Identify new challenges and opportunities in the province in establishing or advancing partnerships, improving strategy, identifying technical inputs, and scaling up to policy frameworks. Assist in identifying gaps in research, training and other need for technical expertise in the province to meet challenges or opportunities.
8.    Introduce and promote the integrated rural employment approach and practices.
9.    Contribute to the development and management of a project-wide monitoring and evaluation system. Monitor quality of project implementation and report on progress.
10.    Assist in develop exchanges, joint activities, strategy development, and sharing of technical inputs among the target provinces to share lessons learned and improve implementation efficiency.
11.    Maintain good working relations with government agencies, non-government organizations, community and people’s organizations in implementing rural employment activities in target districts of respective province.
12.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Project Manager and Provincial Project Coordinator, related to interventions of Rural Employment Promotion project. 

Required qualifications

Education

University Degree in Economics, Rural Development, Community Development or other relevant subjects.

Experience

At least one to two years direct work experience in a project, including in aspects of rural development and community participation. Familiarity with income generation strategies and the use of local resource-based employment generation approaches is an advantage. Experience in working with communities and local authorities on cross cutting issues particularly gender.

Languages

Excellent English and Lao languages 

Competencies

Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts.
Knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
Knowledge of resource mobilization.
Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
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.
Research and analytical skills. 
Drafting skills.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
Ability to manage competing priorities. 
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems. 
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes. 

Recruitment process 

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website (https://jobs.ilo.org). The system provides instructions for online application procedures. 

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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