Introduction

The ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crises, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. The partnership spans eight countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda.

Within the framework of the PROSPECTS partnership in Jordan, ILO’s focus is on enhancing resilience of the country’s crisis-distressed labour market and creating better livelihoods and employment opportunities for both Jordanian host communities and Syrian refugees. It is doing so by promoting the development of market relevant skills (Education and Learning Pillar); enhancing employment placement services and labour market governance, and promoting micro, small and medium sized enterprises as well as sectors, including the agriculture and agri-food with potential for decent job creation (Employment and Economic Inclusion Pillar); and strengthening social protection schemes (Protection Pillar).

The partnership has now entered its second phase which will be implemented from 2024-2027 and builds on the strategic areas of intervention and maximizing impact from phase one. ILO will build on the results and lessons learned under the three pillars of phase I, while also introducing new interventions in the second phase that were identified with the PROSPECTS partners to respond to evolving needs and priorities. One such priority is that of addressing Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW).

The National Project Coordinator (NOA) will work on the implementation of the FPRW interventions under PROSPECTS Jordan, including tackling child labour, as well as rights at work, pertaining to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), work permit issues and trade union representation and the promotion of collective bargaining, and social protection for workers. As such, the incumbent will work very closely with the entire PROSPECTS Jordan team.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator (NOA) will report to the Project Manager of PROSPECTS Jordan. S/He will closely coordinate with the other officers working on the PROSPECTS Jordan programme and will support them in the integration of the fundamental principles and rights at work across the different pillars. S/He will also coordinate with and seek technical inputs as needed from the relevant DWT Specialists at the Regional Office for Arab States and HQ department (FUNDAMENTALS).

Description of Duties

1. Prepare and regularly update the assigned components related to child labour in the project annual work plan, while supporting the integration of rights at work across the different project interventions. Maintain close cooperation and coordination with partners, the government and employers’ organizations in the planning of activities related to child labour, OSH and extension of trade union representation, particularly for agricultural workers.

2. Prepare terms of references (TORs) for consultancies, implementation agreements, seminars related to child labour and rights at work activities. Ensure continuous follow-up with implementing partners and provided required support.

3. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research under the Child Labour and Rights at Work component in line with the project workplan.

4. Closely follow-up with relevant counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and implementing partners, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets. This includes regular meeting and field visits of partners’ activities.

5. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts of the allocated funds under the PROSPECTS Child labour and Rights at Work component by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to the project workplan and the assigned budget and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions.

6. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings and implement capacity building interventions for selected local partner organizations.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. Support identification of emerging opportunities in expanding ILO’s work on child labour and Rights at Work under PROSPECTS based on situational needs analyses, as well as government and partner needs.

8. Engage in the national dialogue over FPRW, promoting collective bargaining, and social protection for all workers.

9. Coordinate closely with relevant DWT and HQ specialist on the broader ILO work on child labour and rights at work within the UN framework.

10. Liaise closely with other relevant ILO projects; PROSPECTS partners such as UNICEF and UNHCR, as well as other UN agencies, partners, and related ministries and represent the ILO at meetings relating to Child Labour, Labour rights and OSH, union representation in Jordan, donor/partner meetings and UN agencies’ meetings, a requested.

11. As needed, analyse and prepare background information, technical inputs and statistical data about the relevant project components that feed into reports, speeches, presentations and advocacy materials. Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters under this portfolio.

12. Undertake any other duties or tasks requested by the PROSPECTS Project Manager.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in Law, social sciences, economics, development studies or other a relevant field. An advanced degree in any of these fields would be a strong advantage.

Experience

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and at least three years of experience with the UN or international organizations. Experience on promoting freedom of association, collective bargaining and supporting trade unions would be an advantage.

Technical requirements: Proven experience and knowledge of child labour, child protection, and promoting decent work and rights at work.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies (Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration), the following is required:

• Good knowledge of the employment and skills development contexts in Jordan.
• Ability to conduct field missions, monitor work of partners and provide feedback.
• Proven ability to implement projects in cooperation with project partners and key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms.
• Good understanding of the local economic and political context of Jordan and the refugee situation.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.

Competencies (continued)

• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation.
• Demonstrate collaborative and teamwork experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, as well as to work on his/her own initiative.

Competencies (continued)

• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

optional section (if needed)

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.