National Technical Officer - NOA

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 above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

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* 

*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

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.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade. The entry level salary for this position is 62168 (USD) yearly.

Introduction

The ILO’s Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) has recently launched the second phase of its Programme of Cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which aims at supporting the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) in its policy making in a number of key thematic areas in connection with the KSA Vision 2030.   With funds from the Government of KSA, the approved second phase builds on achievements made under Phase I of the Programme of Cooperation and responds to the emerging technical and capacity building needs of the MHRSD in KSA. The extended programme of cooperation has five pillars aimed at:

1. Supporting effective labour market and employment policy development, monitoring and evaluation;
2. Promoting fundamental principles and rights at work and supporting related national efforts, including development and implementation of policies and legislation;
3. Strengthening social dialogue institutions and building capacities of tripartite stakeholders on tripartism and social dialogue in KSA;
4. Improving skills governance for better employability and employment outcomes in KSA; and,
5. Improving Occupational Safety and Health in line with international labour standards.

Reporting of Staff Member

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the ILO ROAS/DWT-Beirut Senior Employment Policy Specialist, and in close coordination with the concerned Technical Specialists in ROAS and HQs, the National Technical Officer will perform the following tasks:

Description of Duties

Generic duties

1. Prepare TORs of consultants and monitor progress of the programme and its activities by reviewing, verifying and analyzing work-plans;
2. Prepare technical progress and final reports and other data for submission to the donor;
3. Follow-up with relevant DWT specialists and departments at headquarters, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets;
4. Assemble and edit basic data required for planning and negotiation of programme/project activities, considering different approaches and alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements;
5. Participate in the organization of meetings, workshops and other training activities.

Specific duties

The specific duties required to support the effective delivery of the project outputs include:

1. Review and analyze, as needed, the project implementation plans and provide technical input on socio-economic data, reports and other relevant information, and provide written analysis on the areas related to employment;
2. Provide support in economic and employment research and analysis of the Saudi labour market, within a regional context, to support delivery of the programmed analytical work in Saudi Arabia;
3. Identify data sources, and collect and analyze data to build, maintain and update a database on key economic, employment and labour market indicators using data from the national statistical office and global databases;
4. Conduct research, prepare employment and labour market briefs by reviewing and interpreting data using statistics / econometric techniques, and provide data and analytical inputs to country, sub-regional and regional reports, research papers and briefs under preparation on employment and labour market issues;
5. Draft and ensure quality control of technical progress reports and documentation of the results of the project;
6. Provide technical inputs into the preparation of speeches, presentations and training materials on employment, and assist in reviewing work plans of the project and its budget, as well as in technical consultative meetings;
7. Compile data and information on country-level activities for use in programme and budget discussions;
8. Undertake desk reviews of technical materials, provide feedback and assist in the follow-up on the recommendations and comments from key ILO officials and relevant stakeholders in relation to outputs produced in the field of employment policies;
9. Any other additional task required by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

Education

Advanced University degree in economics.

Experience

At least 2 years of professional experience working in labour market and economic research and employment policies. Experience in working with international organizations and on technical cooperation projects, as well as knowledge of the KSA and/or other Gulf Cooperation Council labour markets would be an advantage

Languages

Fluency in English and Arabic.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:

• Strong knowledge of labour issues from an economic policy perspective;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Arabic;
• Strong data interpretation and analytical skills;
• Ability to conceptualize, plan and prepare analytical reports in English;
• Work effectively through email, phone, and other means of communications;
• Good computer application skills, including proficiency with statistical/data management software;
• Strong organizational skills. Ability to take initiative as well as to work as a member of a team;
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy;
• Knowledge of the ILO and UN activities and objectives, with a focus on rights-based approaches.