National Project Coordinator at International Labour Organization

The project “Trade for Decent Work” is carried out with funding by the EU and targets five ILO member States that are also trading partners/beneficiaries of the GSP+ scheme of the EU, including Ghana. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to improving compliance with the eight fundamental ILO Conventions, with a view to reducing and progressively eliminating discrimination in employment and occupation, forced labour, child labour, and violations of freedom of association. The strategy will act on several fronts with the aim of achieving closer compliance with ratified fundamental Conventions. The project also aims at promoting the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration).

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important that there is no regression as regards the decent work principles in International Labour Standards (ILS), but that they are part of the response. It is to be expected that the issues of child labour, irregular migration and human trafficking which were already existing in the country, will increase worldwide as a result of the crisis. In this context, the project will work towards addressing the comments made by the ILO supervisory bodies concerning measures to be taken by Ghana in law and practice under the relevant ILO Conventions, with a view to combatting child labour and forced labour.

Reporting Line: The incumbent will report to the Director, ILO CO-Abuja, and be under the technical supervision of the technical specialists as indicated below.

Description of Duties

• Coordinate the activities in Ghana in conformity with project objectives, in close collaboration with the ILO CO-Abuja, ILO DWT Dakar, ILO focal point in Ghana, relevant ILO specialists in headquarters, the EU Delegation in Accra, ILO constituents (including the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Office of the Head of Local Government Service, the Child Labour Unit, employers’ and workers’ organizations), as well as business representatives;
• Prepare an annual plan for the project, monitor the implementation of the project and adopt changes in course of action if required. This includes the preparation of regular reports on the progress of the project (reviewing and analysing progress concerning the objectives of the project), as well as the final evaluation report. During implementation, this also includes identifying potential difficulties early on and finding solutions to ensuring timely fulfilment of all obligations and timely delivery of the project outputs, and also requires, for the establishment of the final report, the maintenance of a reference system for all project documents;
• Organize conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings and support the organization of any project monitoring activities, as appropriate. Draft agendas and minutes for/of these events in consultation with the CO-Abuja & DWT Dakar. Participate as a resource person in these events by preparing speeches and intervening in discussions, with technical backstopping from the DWT Dakar, with a view to strengthening the capacities of the ILO constituents and other partners in the area of International Labour Standards, child labour, forced labour and the MNE Declaration;
• Draft terms of reference for consultants or service providers, as required for the implementation of the project, and monitor the work of service providers to ensure timely output;

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Description of Duties Contd.

• Support training activities and identify or adapt training materials to the national context for capacity-building and knowledge sharing, and participate in the production of publications;
• Ensure project visibility and communication at the national, regional and international level, including through the appropriate media and web channels, in compliance with the guidelines in the Communication and Visibility Manual for European Union External Actions (updated version 2018) and project communication and visibility plan;
• Organize the publication and dissemination of various project outputs; ensure the quality of such outputs, including through the editing of project materials. Draft press releases and local news releases, official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information material. Contribute information (news, project updates) to the various ILO knowledge sharing platforms;
• Participate actively in periodical coordination meetings via skype/phone with colleagues in the DWT-Dakar and Geneva;
• Ensure speedy follow-up of financial and other administrative procedures in accordance with relevant procurement and financial rules in coordination with the Finance and Administration Unit in Abuja. Assist in the programming and control of resources, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring the situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action where necessary;
• Keep him/herself informed, and inform the Office, in particular the International Labour Standards and Labour Law Specialist, of discussions related to labour standards and labour law in Ghana, and perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

• First level university degree in law, international relations, social sciences, or another area relevant to the project.

Experience

• At least three years of professional experience at the national level working with the Government or social partners in a relevant area, such as labour law, human rights or labour administration. Professional experience in international project management. Experience working with international organisations or the EU would be an asset.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English

Competencies

• Good knowledge of design, implementation and monitoring of projects, including programming and management of budgets. Ability to identify and analyse problems with project implementation, and ability to adjust requirements and approaches to solve problems. Good interpersonal skills, including effective collaboration with the ILO’s constituents, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders, ILO colleagues, representatives of the EU delegation, UN organizations and other international organizations in Accra. Good organizational and analytical skills. Excellent drafting and presentation skills. Good computer applications skills. Sound knowledge of the Ghana legal and judicial system. Knowledge of the role and operations of the ILO, and the UN system as a whole, particularly of the ILO and UN supervisory system concerning human, economic and social rights. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and ability to negotiate. Good organizational skills.  Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.  Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.  Ability to supervise staff.