The Project Manager will have the overall responsibility for planning and implementation of the PRM-funded project. Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of all aspects of the project, including its operational, financial, administrative and human resource management.

The recruitment is subject to the availability of funds.

Reporting Lines:

• The Project manager will work under the supervision of the Director of ILO Country Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda (CO-Dar Es Salaam). The incumbent will receive technical guidance and backstopping support from the Enterprise and Social Protection Specialists of the Decent Work Team (DWT) in Pretoria, as well as the relevant technical teams at SME/ENTERPRISES and Social Protection/SOCPRO within the Jobs and Social Protection Cluster at ILO Headquarters. The position will be based in the ILO Project Office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Description of Duties

Project and Knowledge Management:

• Ensure effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project, in conformity with ILO and PRM policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and the Decent Work Country Programme, and administrative and financial procedures. This includes the effective management of project budget and human resources; fulfilling reporting requirements; ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures; and coordinating the design, monitoring and evaluation for all activities.
• Take the lead in developing a learning culture in the project team. This would include guidance and support for the establishment of an MRM system that applies the DCED standards and is included in the Social Protection Result Monitoring Tool of the ILO, while being appropriate to the scale and nature of the project, and ensuring its full integration into project management and implementation.
• Build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks. Support the development and implementation of an effective communication, outreach, and knowledge sharing strategy.

Technical advisory services:

• Oversee the delivery of a market systems analysis and use results to design a detailed strategy to promote decent livelihoods and identify opportunities and constraints to extend social protection of refugees and host communities in sectors and value chains with potential for inclusive growth and job creation.
• Guide and support the planning and implementation of overall project activities, including pilot interventions to promote decent job and more inclusive social protection schemes, and scaling up of interventions that are successful. This will require developing strong partnerships with relevant actors and institutions in both the private and the public sector.
• Provide technical advice to the project stakeholders at the macro-, meso-, and micro-level in technical areas related to the project, namely in the fields of universal social protection and market systems development through gender-sensitive approaches. Mobilise internal expertise as needed in one or both areas of work.
• Support the establishment of and access to social protection mechanisms, and activities to raise awareness and capacities of project’s beneficiaries and stakeholders on needs and benefits of social security.
• Identify capacity building needs among project stakeholders and constituents and implement capacity reinforcement activities accordingly in the areas of universal social protection and market systems development.
• Support development of the project staff’s capacity to apply a systemic approach to social protection and livelihoods, through training and continuous coaching.

Required qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, development studies, social sciences, public health or any other relevant 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

• At least seven years of relevant experience in the formulation or implementation of technical cooperation activities, including at the international level.
• Experience with either social protection or market systems/value chain development.
• Field experience providing policy and / or implementation support in the fields of either social policies (i.e. social protection, education, health) or private sector development.
• Proven project implementation experience, with understanding of the project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder activities with the public and private sector.
• Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures in respect of universal social protection, enterprise promotion and / or technical cooperation projects would be a strong advantage.

Languages

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Competencies

• Excellent analytical skills, and ability to conceptualise, plan, coordinate and conduct activities consistent with the project’s objectives.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the project, 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 of publishing standards.
• Ability to adapt/change project activities as needed in order to best reach the project’s overall objective most effectively.
• 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 problems and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.