Programme Manager

Grade: P4

Vacancy no.: DC/DILI/P/2023/14
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Application deadline (midnight Jakarta time): 25 September 2023

Job ID: 11206
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Jakarta
Location: Dili  
Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: One year with possible extension subject to funds availability and performance

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.

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Introduction

The European Union (EU) Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience in Timor-Leste (EU Agroforestry-Skills Programme) seeks to promote green and sustainable economic diversification and resilience in Timor-Leste through private sector development, technical and vocational education training (TVET) for youth integration in the labour market. The project is fully financed by the EU.

Carried out over 48 months, the Programme will contribute to the diversification of the Timorese economy, youth employment and strengthening of rural TVET. The entry point is through private sector development, namely by tapping into the potential of the agroforestry sector.

One of the priorities of the Government of Timor-Leste is to diversify the economy, giving special focus to Agroforestry private sector development. This involves enhancing the small and medium enterprises sector, while also removing some of the binding constraints to private sector growth and improving infrastructure, increasing efficiency in the public sector, facilitating credit, and the building up of skilled labour.

A lack of skilled workers and high youth unemployment, particularly of young women, are major development challenges.  The Agroforestry-Skills Programme aims to increase quality employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agroforestry sector through skills and private sector development, for youth, particularly young women and girls, while promoting a green and circular economy.

The Programme will facilitate skills provision in TVET to be more closely aligned with the needs of the local rural economy of the target geographies, supported by improved capacity of trainers and training institutions and greater participation of industry and the private sector.  These factors are critical for ensuring that TVET programmes are producing graduates with the skills that employers in the area are seeking and/or local entrepreneurship capabilities are enhanced.

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The Programme is focused through four outputs:

• Creation and development of an observatory of the Agroforestry Sector to identify the green and circular economy needs and opportunities for employment of the agroforestry sector in Timor-Leste.
• Improvement in the quality and inclusivity of the TVET through the development of processes and methodologies linked to the private sector demands and training offers.
• An increase in the skills and competences of managers, trainers, and trainees of Agroforestry TVET organisations in Timor-Leste.
• Youth and women are further integrated in the labour market and employment, using digital platforms and facilitation services.

Reporting Line

The Programme Manager will report directly to the ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste. He/she will receive technical guidance and support from relevant skills and employability specialists, employment specialists, youth employment specialists, enterprise specialists, employers and workers’ specialists at the HQ and in the region.

He/she will work in close collaboration with EU Delegation in Timor-Leste, stakeholder partners of the programme, other ILO project/programme in Timor-Leste and UN Agencies in Timor-Leste.

He/she will also oversee the work of international and national staff, and international and local consultants hired during the course of the implementation of the EU Agroforestry-Skills Programme.

Description of Duties

Programme management:

1. Ensure effective implementation of the EU Agroforestry-Skills Programme through timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the Programme activities, in conformity with ILO policies and Programme 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.

2. Responsible for the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the Programme.

3. Manage efficiently the human resources of the Programme, including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects.

4. Responsible for preparation and submission of progress reports, and other technical reports.

5. Serve as the focal person for the EU and serve as the representative for the Programme at various development forums in or on behalf Timor-Leste, or on behalf of the Programme in Timor-Leste as relevant.

6. Ensure coordination with other relevant projects/programmes in the country and overall integration and coordination of related development cooperations to increase synergies, effectiveness and impact of the Programme.

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Technical leadership and advice:

7. Provide strategic direction and guidance for the team across all four programme outputs of the programme, leading key activities such as the development of international and other exchange co-operation activities; development of an Institutional Management Improvement Programme (IMIP); and the development of digital tools to support career guidance and skills matching.

8. Provide secretariat and technical support to relevant government agencies and other key institutions, in undertaking their advisory responsibilities under the Programme.

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Advocacy, networking and partnership:

9. Strengthen relationship to cooperate and coordinate with key implementing partners, including the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs (MCAE), Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE), National Institute of Labour Force Development (INDMO), and the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry, and Trade Invest and relevant target Training Centers, as well as other groups of stakeholders, such as Chamber of Commerce and Industry Timor-Leste (CCI-TL), Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation (KSTL) and the UN System as well as non-governmental organizations, the target groups, in the planning and implementation of activities under the Programme.

10. Liaise with other UN agencies counterparts to increase the Programme's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the Programme's interventions. Advocate ILO’s core mandate and decent work for all.

11. Participate in relevant technical international and national seminars/conferences including development partners’ meetings as and when required.

12. Participate in internal and external Programme reviews, meetings of steering committees, donor meetings, evaluations and monitoring missions, as and when required.

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Knowledge management:

13. Write and disseminate information materials on the EU Agroforestry-Skills Programme in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists at the HQ.

14. Ensure the development of information systems covering ILO technical activities covered by the Programme, prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on EU Agroforestry-Skills Programme’s progress, constraints and achievements. Establish coordination with concerned ILO departments and programs.

15. Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

16. Organize meetings and seminars and develop knowledge sharing tools designed to forge partnerships and share good practices with the main stakeholders of the Programme.

17. Participate in review and evaluation missions, conduct seminars, workshops, and technical meetings, and provide inputs in writing manuals and training guidelines on relevant topics.

18. Any other duties requested by the responsible Country Director for Indonesia and Timor Leste.

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‍Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, education, skills or TVET system development, social sciences, development studies or a related discipline with demonstrated expertise in institutional development and capacity building. Studies including agroforestry will be desirable but not essential.

Experience

Essential Experience:

• Minimum of ten years’ experience (of which at least seven years at an international level) in managing employment and training programmes in challenging environments.
• Delivering programmes in collaboration with governments of developing countries, with local representatives of donor agencies, and heterogeneous teams composed of consultants, experts, and local collaborators of different educational and cultural background.
• Development or contribution to development of national or regional skills policies, strategies or regulations.

Desirable Experience:

• Conducting value chain, industry foresight, and/or skills mismatch analyses.
• Development of competency standards, national skills policies and/or industry-led capacity building and curriculum development in TVET institutions
• Working in skills development for a transition to a green or circular economy
• Familiarity with the ILO and its work with tripartite stakeholders.

Languages

Fluency in English is essential. A working knowledge of Tetun, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesia would be an asset.

Competencies

• Demonstrates and recognizes technical and /or managerial leadership in carrying out the objectives and policies of the related technical work unit;
• Demonstrates technical expertise to devise new methods, concepts, approaches and techniques that are relevant to the implementation of large integrated skills and employment programmes;
• Ability to prepare hight quality reports including ILO technical and strategy reports in the related field;
• Ability to provide policy advice and the ability to manage large programmes and coordinate activities among components;
• Demonstrates commitment to gender equality;
• Professional and personal endurance and commitment to complete complex assignments efficiently and effectively in a demanding working environment;
• Demonstrates ability to train, coach and mentor counterpart staff – within an individual, team and organizational context;
• Proven ability to work as a team player in large and diverse teams and to maintain a good balance between initiating activities and consulting, coordinating and liaising with stakeholders and other concerned parties;
• Demonstrates strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to prioritize assignments; and
• Good computing skills, at least in MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
• 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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