Project Technical Officer P3 / Baghdad

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

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.

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

The Project Technical Officer will be based in Baghdad and will work under the direct supervision of the ILO Country Coordinator for the Republic of Iraq. Technical backstopping will be provided by the Resilience and Crisis Response and Enterprise Development Specialists for the ILO Office for the Arab States in Beirut.

Description of Duties

1. Assist the Project Manager in the implementation of the project by providing technical inputs, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the project activities in the area of enterprise development in Iraq, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. Ensure the timely delivery project activities, in specific related areas and project components in consultation with the Iraq Country Coordinator. Ensure that the results of the project at impact, outcome and output levels are achieved through the activities and interventions of the project, communicated, and used for learning and adjustment of the project.

3. Provide technical inputs and policy advisory services and capacity building to the various relevant ministries, social partners, relevant institutions, decentralized authorities, and other relevant institutions and national stakeholders, in close collaboration with agencies and development partners, in line with international labour standards.

4. Support social dialogue and capacity development processes to ensure active engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of activities.

5. Identify needed expertise, knowledge and capacity gaps of the main stakeholders and propose appropriate technical action, providing direct technical assistance where appropriate. Identify training needs and conduct training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

Description of Duties (continued)

6. Maintain close liaisons with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, UN organizations, research institutions and non-governmental organizations that are involved in the field of enterprise development in Iraq.

7. Participate on behalf of the project at technical meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks of government policymakers, other UN agencies and development partners, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and civil society organizations.

8. Document good practice, responses and changes in business practices by partners and private sector actors and governments, ensure systematic collection and analysis of programme and partnership outcomes and processes. Share learning across the organization and develop capacity building and learning resources.

9. Coordinate, liaise and promote linkages and share best practices and lessons learned with ROAS, ENTERPRISE, SECTOR and other ILO technical departments concerned.

10. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, public law, public administration, social sciences, development studies or a related field or a First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the mentioned fields with seven years of relevant experience.

Experience

At least five years of professional experience in the in the field of project management, entrepreneurship and business start-up development, financial and non-financial business development service provision, livelihood support, or local economic development.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Good working knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to conceptualise, design research techniques, and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• 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 draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

Competencies (continued)

• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
• 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.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• 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.

Competencies (continued)

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.

 

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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