Introduction

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is seeking to recruit a Project manager for an upcoming U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) funded project to support safe and inclusive work environments in Lesotho.

The project will achieve the following two outcomes:
• Outcome 1: Strengthened capacity of relevant government institutions to monitor and enforce compliance with international labor standards related to OSH, anti-discrimination, and countering GBVH in the world of work.
• Outcome 2: Strengthened government collaboration with local, national, and regional stakeholders to develop and implement policies, procedures, and services to promote OSH and counter discrimination and GBVH in the world of work.

The project will take a multi-stakeholder approach to strengthen institutional capacity and support the development of a policy and operational environment in Lesotho that supports workers’ rights.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Project, the Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project implementation and provide technical advisory services in the field of occupational safety and health. 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 Project 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:

The Project Manager will report to the Director of the ILO Decent Work Team for Eastern and Southern Africa and Country Office for South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, in Pretoria and will receive technical guidance and supervision from the team lead for Programme and Operations in the LABADMIN/OSH Branch, based in Geneva. He/she will receive technical support from relevant DWT specialists in various areas of project intervention including OSH; Social Dialogue; Labour Administration; HIV & AIDS; Gender; International Labour Standards and Labour Law. The project manager will also receive technical guidance from technical specialists in the LABADMIN/OSH Branch of ILO HQ.

The Project manager will oversee the work of national officers, support staff of the projects and any other international and local consultants hired during the course of the project.

Description of Duties

Project management:

1. Ensure effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, in conformity with ILO policies and in line with the Safety + Health for All Flagship Programme strategy, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programmes, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. Assume responsibility for the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project.

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

4. Prepare technical and financial reports in accordance with the ILO guidelines and procedures.

Technical leadership and advice:

6. Provide technical support to the project team and international and national consultants and to the stakeholders of the project including employers and workers’ organizations and other key institutions consistent with ILO policy orientation.

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

7. Foster contacts and relations with government, ministries, the employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations and the US Government, and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of the project activities.

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

9. Promote ILO policies in the areas of OSH, labour inspection and other fundamental rights and principles 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.

10. 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 the responsible Country Office and PARDEV

Knowledge management:

10. Develop and review project information and communication materials.

11. Represent the project in meetings, seminars and evaluations, as relevant to the project’s objectives, and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks of government policymakers, workers and employers’ organizations and civil society organizations.

12. Plan, organize and conduct seminars, workshops, training and meetings on project technical matters. This may involve developing training and capacity building guides, manuals and other knowledge-sharing materials.

13. Any other duties requested by the Director of the ILO Pretoria Office

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in the field occupational safety and health, labour administration, social sciences or other relevant fields.

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 seven years’ experience in the field of OSH and compliance with labour laws, including management of technical cooperation activities, at the international level. Experience in the implementation of activities in the field of occupational safety and health. Proven project/programme management experience working with/through key partners including the private sector, national workers’ organisations and government institutions is essential. Proven experience of working with a United Nations agency will be an advantage with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e., design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Previous experience working within Southern African countries is also required.

Languages

Excellent written and spoken command of English.

Competencies

* 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.

* Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.

* Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.

* Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.

* Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy and procedural matters, and to present them at high-level meetings.

* Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.

* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

* Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments and social partners, and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.

* Ability to plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.

* 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.

* Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.

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