Technical Officer - SME Development and Refugee Livelihoods

 

Grade: P2  

Vacancy no.: DC/SME/P2/2019/01
Publication date: 14 March 2019
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 28 March 2019

 

Job ID:1290 
Department:ENTERPRISES 
Organization Unit:SME 
Location:Geneva   
Contract type:Fixed Term 

Contract duration: 12 months 

 

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

 

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

 

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

 

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.


• External candidates.

Introduction

 

The position is located in the Small and Medium Enterprises Unit (SME) of the ILO’s Enterprises Department (ENTERPRISES). Within the Department’s mandate to promote sustainable enterprises, the SME Unit seeks to unlock the potential of creating more and better jobs in small businesses- a sector with the bulk of all employment. The unit is working with governments, social partners, the private sector as well as other relevant stakeholders and partners on improving the enabling environment, delivering entrepreneurship education and training, integrating small enterprises into local and global value chains, improving working conditions and productivity in SMEs, and helping refugees and host community members integrate into labour markets through market-based livelihood interventions.

 

Key programmes of the SME Unit are the ‘Start and Improve Your Business’ (SIYB) training programme; the Value Chain Development programme that aims to create better linked and inclusive value chains through the development of business service markets by adopting a market systems approach; and the Approach to Inclusive Market Systems or AIMS programme, which seeks to promote entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for refugees and forcibly displaced people as well as host community members.

 

Description of Duties

 

The Technical Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Global SIYB Coordinator and the general guidance of the Global Value Chain and Entrepreneurship Coordinator in the SME Unit. The position will be officially based in Geneva but is expected to conduct long-term travel (3-4 months) to the ILO Ankara office where he/she is expected to provide direct project support to projects promoting refugee and host community livelihoods in Turkey.

 

Specific Duties

 

a) Support to the implementation of refugee livelihoods projects in Turkey

• Review and advice the design and implementation of value chain development interventions to support enterprises and employment opportunities for refugees and host communities
• Accompany and advice project teams during the negotiation of partnerships with the private sector and sectoral business associations for the implementation of livelihoods interventions
• Support the monitoring and roll-out of SIYB activities
• Generate knowledge products out of the projects’ results, lessons, and successes, and disseminate in international fora and inside the ILO

 

b) Provide technical and administrative backstopping to the project “Jobs and Private Sector Development in Rural Egypt”

• Support the generation of value chain and market system analyses of targeted sectors and the development of intervention proposals for further implementation
• Write Terms of Reference and advice on potential national and international consultants to conduct analyses
• Contribute to building the capacity of project staff and consultants in the use of VCD tools
• Work with consultants and project staff to develop targeted interventions to create additional employment in value chains

 

c) Support to the implementation of the Dutch-funded initiative ‘Inclusive jobs and education for forcibly displaced persons and host communities’

• Provide technical backstopping to the programme on how to mainstream ILO Enterprise tools (Value Chain and Market Systems Development, Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Market Systems for Refugees) into their activities with the aim of effectively integrating refugees and other forcefully displaced persons into labour markets
• Provide inputs and advice to the generation of market system analyses produced under the programme in different countries
• Deliver training and participate in missions as required

 

d) Support the global management and monitoring of SIYB

 

• Provide support in the maintenance and modernisation of the online monitoring platform SIYB Gateway
• Liaise with trainers, master trainers and projects to assist them in the utilization of the Gateway, and advice on SIYB activities
• Draft issue briefs, concept notes, and presentations as required

 

e) Provide technical and administrative support to other Entrepreneurship and Market-based livelihood intervention projects under the guidance of the VCD and Entrepreneurship Coordinator

 

Duty station and travel

 

Duty station and travel:

 

Position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, but would require spending three to four months on a mission in Ankara, Turkey.

 

Required qualifications

Education

First level degree in Business Management, Social Sciences or Economics. An Advanced degree would be an advantage.

Experience

At least three years of relevant professional experience, including two years at the international level assisting in backstopping technical cooperation projects. A good understanding of SME Development and Refugee Livelihoods is a strong plus.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Good working knowledge of Arabic or Turkish would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Ability to draft clearly and concisely, and prepare project proposals, reports and studies.


• Ability to identify problems and make recommendations. Good interpersonal and communication skills.


• Good analytical skills.


• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.


• Ability to carry out assignments in accordance with instructions and guidelines.


• Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.


• Ability to conceptualise, plan, and conduct straightforward research work, Good computer skills


• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

 

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.


• Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit: jobs.ilo.org/content/International/?locale=en_GB

 

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

 

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

 

Fraud warning

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