ILO Technical Adviser- EIII – Capacity Building Job in Nairobi Kenya

Location information: Based in Nairobi, Kenya with up to 50% time on missions in Somalia

Duration: 12 months ( with possible extension)

Level: P4

Background

The challenges of implementing a high profile Programme in the environment Somalia presently offers should not be under estimated. The security setting, fluid political landscape and the (often) conflicting expectations of communities, local and central authorities and international donors presents a challenge to all organisations.

The Technical Adviser: Employment Intensive Infrastructure Investment: who is responsible for the technical delivery of the Programme components in various regions of Somalia (Internationally recognised but encompassing the self declared republic – Somaliland and Puntland: state of Somalia) requires exceptional skills to deliver against expectations.

The person has an ability to work in a complex, changeable, environment where the need to develop and manage process and build the capacity of institutions in terms of support is paramount if tangible benefits are to be delivered.

This is a challenging and very rewarding position where the responsibility of the Technical Adviser EIII will be to deliver tangible benefits to people through working with local teams and partners.

Security of all personnel is the primary concern of ILO and given the setting in Somalia, the ILO international team currently operates out of Nairobi with a minimum of 50% of time spent in Somalia (given a secure operating environment).

The ILO Somalia Programme is placing ever greater emphasis on job creation, using the employment intensive component and the local economic development process as a springboard for building enterprise development and ensuring there is longevity in decent work opportunities created through any of the initiatives.

This means, once immediate jobs have been created through intensive labour practices, such work creation plays an important role in kick-starting local economic activities. Close linkage with enterprise development initiatives to take forward the stimulus enacted will be a major element of this position working in close collaboration with Project Managers and fellow Technical Advisors and Programme Officers/Coordinators.

ILO has never worked in isolation and with the United Nations Strategic Assistance for Somalia, UNSAS, the need for collaboration is further emphasized. To this end, this position will play an integral role in ensuring ILO continues to fulfill its mandate within the overall UN system and continue to raise its profile through influencing, working with and guiding other entities in the areas of ILO’s mandate. In particular, the incumbent will act as the lead technical adviser for ILO’s institutional and technical capacity building for local service delivery portfolio within the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

General

Under the direct supervision of, and reporting directly to, the CTA of the ILO Somalia Programme, the Technical Adviser will be primarily responsible for the policy, institutional and technical capacity development and delivery of employment intensive investment components.

They will complement the work of other team members and be an active participant within the team ensuring ideas are generated and taken through to implementation when needed. They will also collaborate with other ILO country programmes/projects and local and international cooperation and implementing partners.

The Technical Adviser will contribute to the following Programme activities:

The development, planning, management and coordination of all employment intensive infrastructure programme activities in Somalia inclusive of Somaliland, Puntland.Take an active part in specialist fora with regard to infrastructure, environment, water and other sectoral working groups in the UN system or the wider Somali Support Secretariat. Also, in liaison with colleagues, take forward ILO’s position in cross cutting themes such as rights to/at work, gender, disability, HIV Aids and environment.Make significant contributions to mobilization of funds for the ILO Somalia Programme, developing project proposals for new projects, maximizing opportunities for interagency collaboration through the UNTP joint programme framework.Contribute to “one UN” harmonization processes within the overall RDP and UNSAS frameworks and, notably, within the Joint Programme.Assist in the improvement of systems for Programme management, logistical and support services.Promote the ILO Decent Work agenda as it applies to projects/project activities.Obtain and contribute material and case studies for ILO and for partner fora on best practices in crisis-affected areas in activities such as linking relief to recovery, infrastructure development and employment creation, local economic recovery and development, stimulating enterprise and market development, improving the business environment and overall contribute to peace building.Responsible for designated elements/components or whole projects taking responsibility for developing, planning and implementing employment intensive investment policy, institutional and technical capacity development interventions and related/complimentary actions. Providing technical guidance and backstopping to ensure technical soundness, cost efficiency and effectiveness, and make proposals when necessary for revision of Programme documents and budgets. Identify and resolve constraints for Programme implementation in a proactive manner ensuring projects are on track according to agreed work plans.Advise, assist and manage the establishment of appropriate policy and institutional frameworks, structures, processes and tools (at local and regional levels) for management and delivery of employment intensive investment infrastructure works and services.Assess, advise on and develop technical capacity development plans, programmes and packages. Manage their delivery for the establishment of capacity and capability development amongst counterparts and local institutions and partners, the private sector and the local construction industry to plan, implement, and monitor employment intensive investment strategies, programmes/projects.Manage assigned team members in a manner fostering personal development. Ensure results are met through direct management, peer management and delegation as appropriateResponsible, directly or through the management of process, for preparation of all the technical specifications for all procurement of works, plant and equipment, tools, materials, both local and overseas.Manage and participate in the development, establishment and presentation of training courses, seminars and other means of skills development on employment intensive construction and maintenance works and related civil engineering projects.In collaboration with colleagues, ensure coherence of Programme components (EIIP, enterprise, LED inclusive of enterprise development, capacity and capability development and policy) throughout all areas of operation.Through processes developed to build participation, manage the identification and development of specific implementation elements within projects including financing and work plans, ensuring appropriate synergies, sequencing of activities.In liaison with the Project Managers and Programme Officer - Nairobi, preparation of all necessary donor reports, building on agreed formats to report monthly/quarterly activities.Specify, draft/review TORs and manage and supervise consultants/experts and sub-contractors ensuring timely delivery of quality of outputs.Organise and facilitate contacts, study tours and interactions at local, regional and international level, benefiting the Programme and its partners.Participate and contribute to Programme and thematic collaboration and other processes.Contribute to development of media and communication initiatives to enhance the visibility of the Programme and its donors plus deliver key points with regard to lessons learned and innovative ways of working developed.Facilitate internal/external Programme evaluations, audits and related lesson learning activitiesUnder the management of the CTA, ensure MOSS and EMOSS compliance of Programme activities and safeguard Programme personnel and assets.Any other specific functions that may reasonably be assigned from time-to-time by the CTA of the ILO Somalia Programme.A degree in a branch of civil engineering or environmental engineering with a strong background in rural development, appropriate technology, employment intensive programmes. An additional qualification with project management a significant plus.At least 8 years of experience in integrated employment intensive policy development, public and private sector institutional and technical capacity development and local economic development work.Experience or demonstrable ability to learn within a compressed time period, with the UN, preferably the ILO, system will be a distinct advantage.At least 3 years experience in post conflict countries. Horn of Africa country experience an advantage.Substantive knowledge on policy and organisational/institutional building, governance reform issues, public infrastructure and service delivery, procurement and contract management, local economic development, public-private partnerships and with proven track record on policy advice, employment and development issuesExperience in local capacity and institutional and capacity development for governance and decentralised service delivery.Experience working with local administrations, senior government officials, donor representatives and civil society on policy and strategic issuesDemonstrated strong co-ordination and facilitation skillsA proven leadership, peer management and development capability in the context of collaboration with administrative structures of developing countries, with local representatives of donor agencies, and with a heterogeneous team composed varied skills and cultural backgrounds;An ability to establish good working relations with all colleagues with a background different from their own and be able to communicate effectively and impart their knowledge to all colleagues and national counterparts;Demonstrable ability to manage projects, administrative and accounting systems at distance through the use of ICT;A willingness to travel and work in volatile environments where the programme’s main activities are located;An ability to write clear and concise reports in English coupled with an ability to communicate across language divisions ensuring projects progress as per agreed work plans.How to apply

Interested candidates are requested to submit a covering letter marked “Technical Adviser- EIII – Capacity Building” quoting the position title along with a detailed curriculum vitae and personal history (PH) form by 10th January 2011 to:

The Chief Technical Adviser,
ILO Somalia/Employment for Peace Programme,
UNOPS Compound, UN Avenue, Gigiri,
P.O Box 39981, 00623-Nairobi, Kenya.

Email: hrsomalia@ilo.org

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