Support Assistant G5 / Basrah

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 General Service positions is subject to specific local recruitment criteria. The ILO may only offer a contract to persons who have a National Number or National ID in Iraq.

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 with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funds. 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 25,815 (USD) yearly.

Introduction

Private sector development in Iraq challenged by several factors as the economy is largely dominated by the oil sector and state-owned enterprises further impedes incentives for private sectors growth and diversification in the wider economy. Moreover, local firms struggle to become competitive within national and international markets and an abundance of cheap imports combined with low levels of investment have hindered the development of nascent domestic activities. Iraq is also known for challenging business environment which makes it difficult for “start-up” and/or MSMEs’ to flourish and expand their business in the formal economy and green businesses. Lack of business management skills and financial literacy coupled with lack of access to credit and loan services even makes it more complex for entrepreneurs and enterprises to start up business in Iraq. Furthermore, Iraqis private sector is characterized by high rates of informality and decent work deficit. Despite all the challenges, the sector has enormous potential for growth and job creation if there is enabling business environment for MSMEs.

The ILO, having the expertise and experience globally, in the region and in Iraq, namely building on its well-established business and financial management tools, and its previous agreement with the central bank of Iraq, aspires to achieve through the project “Towards more and better employment through enhanced support to private sectors in southern Iraq – with a focus on green business”  the following objectives: 1) Improve business ecosystem for MSMEs in Iraq to grow and thrive through policy options along with national and subnational dialogue amongst key stakeholders in the private sector development; and 2) Capacitate and empower national/subnational financial and non-financial institutions to better support entrepreneurs and MSMEs to unleash their full potential; 3) Improve financial inclusion of start-up businesses and MSMEs with focus on green economy.

The position will be based in Basrah. The Project Assistant will report directly to the Project Manager under the general supervision of the ILO Country Coordinator for the Republic of Iraq

This position is currently advertised subject to the final confirmation of the resources being made available for this project and signing of the agreement with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

 

Reporting lines:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the ILO Country Coordinator for the Republic of Iraq, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Assistant will perform the following tasks:

Description of Duties

1. Assist with the planning and preparatory work of the project initiatives. Monitor status of project proposals and receipt of documentation for review and approval, verifying that information is in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines.

2. Perform a range of specialized finance support functions and related work of the Project, including initiating and processing financial transactions in the ILO administrative and financial system and verifying that information and supporting documentation is in compliance with financial rules and regulations, policies, procedures and applicable standards.

3. Assist the NPC in providing information to project’s Implementing Partners on ILO administrative and financial procedures. Inform the NPO of potential difficulties that may arise from the administrative and finance management capacity and competence of implementing partners to address the problem in timely manner.

4. Compile, summarize and present a variety of information and data to the supervisor on issues pertinent to the project including on budgets and other related topics or issues.

5. Input complete data and process administrative actions project delivery in the ILO system. Based on information in the system, inform the project manager of inconsistencies and shortfalls in delivery and status of allocations.

Description of Duties (continued)

6. Follow-up on administrative matters, including the timely submission of terms of reference (TOR) for external collaborators, confirmation of funds, and other required administrative actions.

7. Responsible for all administrative tasks, including logistical support to the project personnel, travel arrangements, visas, hotel reservation, etc. and provide logistics arrangements for conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings

8. Assist the project manager in the programming and preparation of budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analyzing and monitoring the situation of resources as compared to planned activities of the project needs.

9. Respond to requests for general information on the project and routine queries on status of payments and other budgetary issues.

10. Provide general office management support, draft correspondence, faxes, memoranda and reports on administrative matters from oral instructions, previous correspondence or other available information sources in accordance with standard office procedures.

11. Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the NPC.

Required qualifications

Education

Completion of secondary school education. Qualifications in finance and/or administrative support would be preferable.

Experience

Five years of progressively responsible clerical and administrative work, and some training in an administrative field. Proven experience of implementing technical cooperation projects and working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Arabic.

Competencies

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non- discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

• Knowledge of programme and budget and through understanding of wide range of administrative policies and procedures.

• Ability to work with word processing, spread sheet, web-browser, as well as other computer software packages required for work.

• Thorough knowledge of in-house procedures for the preparation of documents and administrative forms, and for the creation and maintenance of filing systems.

• Good knowledge of accounting principles and practices.

• Ability to prepare preliminary reports and to draft correspondence.

• Good communication skills, both orally and in writing and ability to communicate with people in a polite, courteous and cooperative manner.

• Ability to organize own work and to work independently as well as work in a team.

• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline.

• Must demonstrate responsible behaviour and attention to detail.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.

 

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. 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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