Project Technical Officer

Project Technical Officer on Child Labour and Climate Change

Grade: P3

Vacancy no.: DC/KATHMANDU/P/2023/02
Publication date: 18 Septemer 2023
Job ID: 11230
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Kathmandu
Location: Kathmandu
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: 1 year

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

As the effects of climate change become more prominent, Nepal is experiencing an increasing treat of climate-related shocks and is one of the most vulnerable countries to long-term impacts of rising global temperatures. Several areas in Nepal are experiencing increased risk of flooding and landslides, while elsewhere, rainfall has become erratic, leading to the drying up of water sources, drought and soil aridity, making once fertile land unsuitable for growing crops or sustaining livelihoods. Environmental impacts are taking a serious toll on people’s livelihoods. This increased vulnerability is having a particularly significant impact on women and children, and groups such as indigenous people, and some castes, including Dalits and Harawa-Charawa, that endure caste-based discrimination.

To cope with the socio-economic shocks of sudden onset disaster, the USDOL project on Child Labour in the Context of a Changing Climate in Nepal aims to slow onset disasters, such as drought, vulnerable households resort to migration, child labour and forced labour. While further research is needed on the link between climate change and child labour and forced labour, there is evidence of climate change increasing vulnerability to labour exploitation and trafficking, gender-based violence and trafficking of women and girls, child labour, and forced labour and trafficking. However, there are still knowledge gaps regarding the link between climate change and its relation to child labour.

Reporting lines:

The Project Technical Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Director of ILO Country for Nepal, with technical backstopping by specialists of the Decent Work Technical Team for South Asia (DWT/CO-New Delhi), and by FUNDAMENTALS Department in ILO headquarters. Further technical guidance, support and collaboration with other relevant technical specialists at HQ. The incumbent will oversee the work of national officers, admin staff and other support staff, and any international and local consultant hired during the project.

Description of Duties

Under the supervision and guidance of the Country Director and in consultation with the technical backstopping specialists, the Project Technical Officer will:

1. Ensure timely provision of technical inputs, efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the 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 offices and units if applicable.
2. Coordinate the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project.
3. Support the processes of recruitment of project personnel, performance, and talent management aspects.
4. Provide technical support to relevant government agencies and other key institutions, in undertaking their advisory responsibilities under the programme in close consultation with the Country Director and CO technical team.
5. Review and analyse country specific development plans and priorities, socio-economic data, reports, and other relevant information to ensure strategic engagement with Government and other key institutions.
6. Contribute to the strengthening of relationship to cooperate and coordinate with the concerned governments, ministries and employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups, and donors, in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.
7. Liaise with other UN agencies counterparts to promote ILO’s values, increase the project’s visibility, and facilitate the scaling-up of the programmes’ interventions.
8. Promote ILO principles, standards, and 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 specialists and labour standards specialists.
9. Maintain working contacts and collaboration with multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the development of future activities linked to the project in coordination with the Country Office and PARTNERSHIP.
10. Write and disseminate information materials on the project in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists.
11. Monitor and expedite project implementation through discussions with technical and project staff, field visits, analysis of progress reports, and participation in reviews and evaluations. Prepare reports based on the information obtained as an input to corrective decision making and revisions and establish coordination with concerned ILO departments and programmes.
12. Identify training needs and organize capacity building activities for the tripartite partners, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.
13. Design and implement research and knowledge creation activities. Leverage technical expertise in the related technical areas to support national, regional and cross-country knowledge development and knowledge sharing opportunities.
14. Any other duties assigned by the Country Director.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree with relevant experience in public policy, economics, management, social science, or a related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

Five years’ experience in the management of technical cooperation activities, including at the international level. This includes field experience in implementation of projects, preferably in the fields of child labour, forced labour, fundamental rights at work, decent work, and climate adaptation.

Knowledge of Nepali context, and experience working with government officials would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English language, both written and spoken. Working knowledge of a language of the duty station would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Ability to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the relevant technical fields.
• Ability to conceptualise and design research and knowledge sharing activities.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to carry out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, and policy, procedural matters.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Should be open to and able to make changes to accommodate culture and gender differences in order to interact effectively with individuals.
• Good knowledge of the role and operations of UN system activities for development.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

This position is contingent on the award decision of USDOL. Please note that if you are selected the ILO will only be able to offer you the position if and when the project is awarded to ILO.

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:

https://intranet.ilo.org/en-us/hrd/hrtalent/Documents/Emp_Conds_EN.pdf

Important Information

Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org

Recruitment process

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

Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 01 October 2023

Tagged as: International Labour Organization, Kathmandu, NGO INGO, Project Officer