Introduction

The ILO is implementing the ‘Addressing decent work deficits and improving access to rights in Malawi’s tobacco sector’ [MWI/20/01/NOR] country-level development project in Malawi over a period of four years during 2020 – 2024. The overall objective of the project is to ensure that the Government, employers’ organizations and workers’ organizations effectively address decent work deficits in the tobacco sector and ensure access to rights, in particular fundamental principles and rights at work as a means to improve livelihoods, incomes and food security. The project strategy is based on the ILO’s global Integrated Strategy to address decent work deficits in the tobacco sector, as adopted by the ILO Governing Body on 31 October 2019 [GB.337/POL/5/decision] and is further framed by Alliance 8.7 for which Malawi is a Pathfinder Country.

Based on three building blocks of the ILO’s global Integrated Strategy: (1) enabling policy environment; (2) strengthened social dialogue; and (3) addressing decent work deficits in tobacco-growing communities including child labour and including through economic diversification, the project follows a two-pronged strategy combining institutional development component with a direct support component. The institutional development component aims at improving the capacity of the Government and workers’ and employers’ organizations in addressing the employment and labour challenges in tobacco-growing communities and the agriculture sector at large. The direct support component includes targeted action to address decent work deficits in tobacco growing communities on the ground.

The National Project Officer (NPO) is responsible for supporting technical and programmatic implementation of the project. The position is based in the ILO Malawi Project Office in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Reporting lines

Under the overall responsibility of the Director of the ILO Country office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, the National Project Officer will report directly to the Technical Officer under the Address project.

Description of Duties

1. Support effective implementation of the project through efficient and timely execution of technical tasks in accordance with the policies and procedures of the ILO, the strategies of the project and the schedule of activities, ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in project implementation to achieve the desired results.

2. Initiate, sustain and guide cooperation with key project partners, in close collaboration with the Technical Officer- and relevant ILO technical specialists to ensure the performance and results of the project.

3. Ensure a flow of regular and complete information on the status of the activities planned and implemented between the project team, CO-Lusaka, the Decent Work Technical Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa (DWT-Pretoria), staff of the Regional Office for Africa (ROAF), and technical specialists at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, especially the Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR) and the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Branch (FUNDAMENTALS) of the Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE).

4. Review, verify and analyse workplans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness and monitor the progress of project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.

5. Support organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings in collaboration with the Technical Officer and with the technical support of experts; and represent the project in meetings as may be required, including conducting training.

6. Organize and conduct technical missions in target regions, guide and advise national and international experts on site and remotely and ensure the proper and effective use of project resources, in collaboration with the Technical Officer.

7. Assist in the monitoring and coordination of activities carried out by external collaborators, service providers and implementing partners.

8. Support the dissemination of project information by drafting materials, publications and press releases and by ensuring effective communication with project partners. Ensure project visibility and effective representation during meetings related to the project with United Nations (UN) agencies, project partners, ILO constituents, the donor(s), and other key stakeholders, and at events.

9. Seek opportunities to establish and maintain partnership and working relations with the ILO’s tripartite constituents and other relevant stakeholders in Malawi, in particular organizations and representatives of national government concerned with the issues addressed by the project, and employers’ and workers’ organizations.

10.    Establish and maintain strong working relations with the ILO’s tripartite constituents and other relevant stakeholders in Malawi, in particular organizations and representatives of national government concerned with child labour issues, employer and worker organizations.

11.    In collaboration with the Technical Officer, organize and conduct technical missions in target regions, guide and advise national and international experts on site and remotely and ensure the proper and effective use of project resources.

12. Prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring the situation of resources as compared to planned activities and by making recommendations for remedial action.

13. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in law, economics, social sciences, development studies or related field and strong knowledge of employment, agriculture and/or related issues in Malawi.

Experience

At least two years of experience in the management, administration and implementation of development cooperation projects related to labour, employment and/or working conditions in the rural, informal and/or agricultural economy. Experience related to the tobacco sector and/or child labour and/or modern slavery and/or related human rights issues would be an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of English and good knowledge of another local language of the duty station.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position:  Customer Orientation, Communications, Collaboration

Technical competencies

–    Ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for project design, administration and evaluation techniques and practices;
–    Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise;
–    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
–    Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information;
–    Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience
–    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, and
–    Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
–    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
–    Ability to interpret and comply with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
–    Ability to manage conflicting priorities.
–    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

ONLY SHORLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGE.

Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable but not selected  for this position can also be offered to be assigned on another temporary position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position.