Introduction

The incumbent, assigned to the ILO Regional Office for Africa (RO-Africa) and implementing programme components primarily in the ILO Africa region, will be supporting the implementation of the ILO FAIRWAY Programme, Phase II (2024-27), an interregional programme that focuses on improved labour migration governance in the Africa-Arab States corridor through (a) improved intra- and inter-regional dialogue and cooperation for effective labour migration interventions; (b) strengthened decent work outcomes for women migrant workers in accordance with a gender-transformative agenda (including in the specific context of care work); and (c) increased protection and empowerment of migrant workers through provision of services, protection of rights and representation (voice).

While the position is advertised as based at the ILO Office in Nairobi, Kenya an alternative location in the countries covered by CO-Dar es Salaam may be considered. This will be clarified at the time of selection for the position.

The focus of the FAIRWAY Programme will be on low-wage migrant workers in the Arab States, especially workers in domestic/care work and construction.

Within Africa, and building on the Communiqué of the first Africa Labour Migration Conference (ALMC) held in October 2023, the FAIRWAY Programme will focus on fostering cooperation and consensus building on labour migration governance, and the protection of migrant workers, in collaboration with the East African sub-region (East African Community, EAC, with a focus on Kenya and Uganda) and the West African sub-region (Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, with a focus on Nigeria). In the Arab States, the Programme will expand on an existing cooperation with the Gulf Council Cooperation Countries (GCC) Executive Bureau to focus on bringing about reforms in the GCC countries on migrant worker protection, with more limited, strategic interventions in Lebanon and Jordan.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the FAIRWAY Programme, the Project technical officer will support the Project manager in the day-to-day programme implementation and provide technical advisory services towards the development and execution of future programs to be developed in the Programme sector. He/she will ensure that the objectives stated in the project document are attained within the stated time frame and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO and the Programme’s financial and operating procedures. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

Reporting lines: supervision to be received by the incumbent (level and type) and to be given by the incumbent

–    The Labour Migration Technical Officer will report to the Deputy Regional Director in RO-Africa.
–    The Labour Migration Technical Officer will work under the programmatic oversight of the Programme Manager (PM) based in the ILO Regional Office for the Arab States (RO-Arab States) and will also receive technical guidance, support, and follow up by the Regional Labour Migration Specialist in RO-Africa and other relevant labour migration specialists and other technical specialists in relevant Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs).
–    The Labour Migration Technical Officer will also work in close collaboration and receive technical guidance and support from other relevant technical specialists at HQ.
–    The Labour Migration Technical Officer will oversee the work of international or local consultants hired during the course of the project.

Description of Duties

1.    Support the Programme Manager (PM) to carry out agreed activities and tasks and to achieve related results for the effective implementation of the project through the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Deliveries and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the responsible Field Office, if applicable.

2.    In consultation with regional management, develop and implement a periodic and regular reporting process to RO-Africa to ensure effective oversight of all the Africa region components of the inter-regional programme.

3.    Provide technical expertise on labour migration during planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of ILO-led project activities in close collaboration with ILO tripartite constituents at national level, RO-Africa, the responsible Country Offices, and ILO DWT, ILO specialists in Headquarters, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO country/action programmes; including ensuring that gender issues are explicitly addressed and mainstreamed throughout the project activities and any outputs including final reports or events.

4.    Support effective coordination, synergy and complementarity with other ILO projects and initiatives in the thematic area of labour migration including in Arab States, in Africa and globally.

5.    Coordinate and/or provide inputs for studies, reports, training manuals, and other documents related to the Programme activities.

6.    Participate in and contribute to the preparation and development of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, consultations, and other events, at the regional, subregional, national, and local level, including by representing the ILO when appropriate and in coordination with the supervisor.

7.    Plan and undertake technical missions to the countries covered by the Programme (and beyond if requested by the supervisor), either independently or with other colleagues / counterparts.

8.    Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with governments, ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of project /programme activities.

9.    Contribute to robust monitoring of activities and high-quality analysis and reporting to the Programme donor.

10.    Liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO’s values, increase the project’s visibility, and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO’s interventions.

11.    Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project/programme, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards, in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

12.    Undertake local resource mobilization activities with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the development of future activities linked to the project/programme in coordination with ROAF, engaged Country Offices, as well as PARTNERSHIPS.

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Knowledge management :

13.    Write and disseminate information on Programme materials in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists in RO-Africa, RO-Arab States and the Labour Migration Branch (MIGRANT) in ILO headquarters.

14.    Support the development of information databases covering project/programme activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programs.

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

16.    Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in law, political science, sociology, economics, gender studies, development studies, other social sciences, or another a relevant field.

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience, including at the international level.  This includes field experience in contributing to the implementation and monitoring of development cooperation projects, preferably in the fields of labour migration and gender. Field experience in contributing to the promotion of effective labour migration governance and regulations (particularly on labour migration policy development and/or labour migration statistics; and/or access to social protection for migrant workers, and/or skills recognition; protection of migrant workers) would be an advantage. Experience in the African region would be an asset. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and/or workers and employers’ organization would be an advantage.
Expertise on gender mainstreaming and in particular the situation on women migrant workers would be an advantage, while a minimum understanding of gender mainstreaming concepts and strategy is necessary for this position.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken.

Competencies

–    Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts and understanding of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
–    Proactive, taking initiative and demonstrating good capacity of problem solving.
–    Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
–    Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
–    Ability to prepare technical proposals, reports and studies relevant to the implementation of the project in a concise and timely manner.
–    Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to consultants working for the project.
–    Ability to conceptualize, plan and conduct straightforward technical and research work.
–    Ability to work effectively in a team, and to promote coordination and exchange across partnerships.
–    Proven ability in working with minimal supervision as well as remote capacity project management.
–    Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders such as government officials, representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations, representative(s) of civil society, and academics.
–    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviors and attitudes.
–    Strong computer skills.