Market Systems Development Technical Expert Full-Time

Introduction

The ILO, with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), is supporting its tripartite constituents in Mozambique towards the creation of productive employment and decent working conditions for Mozambican women and men, particularly youth and those living in poverty. Applying a systems approach, the 5-year project aims to promote the creation of more and better jobs at the national and sectoral levels, as well as through capacity development support to its constituents, namely the Government of Mozambique, Employers Organisations, and Workers Organisations. The MozTrabalha project is anchored in the goals of the National Employment Policy (NEP) and the Plano de Acção da Política de Emprego (PAPE, 2021-2024). It is designed to support the further implementation of the NEP and PAPE through increased employment mainstreaming in macroeconomic and sectoral government work as well as the establishment of dedicated implementation tools such as pro-employment budgeting and employment impact assessments. At the sectoral level, using a market systems development approach, it will promote a sustainable enterprise development and productive creation for Mozambican women and men living in poverty particularly in the country’s Northern Provinces as well as in the Beira corridor.

MozTrabalha’s overall aim and principle is to create productive employment and decent working conditions, at scale, with sustainable outcomes, and using a systems approach that promotes structural transformation, and which will underpin all project interventions. Cross-cutting themes include a continuous focus on poverty reduction through employment creation, social dialogue and labour standards, the promotion of gender equality, as well as actively furthering the just transition towards a carbon-neutral economy. The concrete intervention logic and results framework will be finalised during a dedicated inception phase which will employ a range of analytic and consultative tools to ensure appropriate identification of target sub-sectors and value chains, provinces and interventions.

Beyond MozTrabalha, ILO is implementing a range of other programmes and activities as part of its development corporation and regular budget portfolio, in its support to Mozambican constituents towards achieving progress across the Decent Work Agenda, as currently guided by the NEP as the most country’s current relevant plan and in anticipation of the formulation of the next Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The ILO furthermore is an active member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and is actively contributing towards the achievement of the Agenda 2030 as defined by the Mozambican United Nations Sustainable Development Country Framework (UNSDCF).

Reporting lines

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of the ILO Country Office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, the Market Systems Development Technical Expert will work under the direct technical and managerial supervision of the CTA. S/he will collaborate closely with other project staff and national partners involved in the coordination and implementation of sectoral activities, and especially the national sectoral experts. S/he will also function as the deputy to the CTA and act as Officer in Charge when the CTA is on mission or away from the project.

The Market Systems Development Technical Expert will also receive guidance and technical backstopping by the Senior Specialist for Sustainable Enterprises at the Decent Work Team (DWT)/CO- Pretoria and receive technical support and advice from the broader DWT, especially from the Senior Specialist for Employment as well as the Specialist for Skills and Lifelong Learning. Furthermore, the Market Systems Development Technical Expert will benefit from technical support and guidance from the specialised market systems development team in the SME Unit and the Green Jobs Programme at the ENTERPRISES department, ILO Geneva.

Description of Duties

• Effectively design, plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the MSD interventions inconformity with the project strategy to address sectoral constraints and structural transformation, and in accordance with ILO policies and programming guidelines.
• Assume the overall technical leadership and responsibility over the design and implementation of the project’s Outcome 2 at sectoral level.
• Act as the project’s key focal point and technical lead towards establishing and maintaining the project’s overall systems approach, and towards that effect provide technical support, training and capacity development to all project staff to enable them to apply a systemic approach to decent work.
• Provide authoritative technical advice to constituents and project stakeholders on the MSD technical areas mobilise additional expertise as needed.
• Undertake technical advisory missions, independently or in collaboration with other project staff and technical specialists to coordinate and oversee the implementation of MSD interventions.
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc reports and case studies on the status of the MSD components and their results, including for international forums, to disseminate and share lessons learned.
• Oversee and guide the work of national officers and any international and local consultants and service providers hired during the course of the project to support the implementation of MSD activities.
• Mainstream gender into the MSD activities, ensuring gender perspectives and attention to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment are central to MSD activities.
• Establish a Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM) system for the MSD interventions that is guided by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) standards and support the MRM National Expert in the development and operationalisation of the MRM system, with particular emphasis on design of business models, results chains, appropriate indicators, and realistic assessment methodologies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with UN sister agencies, development partners and related projects with similar mandates and objectives, including with a view to promote ILO values and the objectives and approach of the project, and identify opportunities for scaling-up project achievements.
• Support development and implementation of an effective communication and knowledge sharing strategy and plan for relevant national and international audiences.
• Represent the project in meetings, seminars, and evaluations including making presentation on progress in implementation to the National Steering Committee and any established technical advisory committees.
• Promote ILO policies and provide policy advice to ILO constituents regarding the systems approach to decent work, in collaboration with the relevant technical specialists at the DWT/CO- Pretoria and ENTERPRISES, ILO Geneva.
• Promote relationships with the multi-lateral and bilateral development community and oversee and monitor resource mobilization proposals in coordination with the technical specialists, including through the formulation and submission of project proposals.
• Carry out other related and relevant duties requested by the CTA and/or the Country Office Director.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) with relevant experience in business management, economics, international development, social science or a related field with demonstrated knowledge in market systems development and approaches to enhance Decent Work.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• At least seven years of relevant professional experience, including at the international level should be related to market systems or value chain development.
• Project implementation experience, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle management, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder engagement with the public and private sector.
• Familiarity with procedures of international development cooperation.

Languages

• Excellent command of English and a good working knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish are required.

Competencies

• Ability to synthesize MSA research and reach empirically based conclusions for the development of systemic interventions and to provide seasoned advice on best practices to stakeholders
• Proven ability to take ownership of responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies and to develop clear strategies and interventions
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Ability to adapt/change project activities as needed in order to best reach the project’s overall objective most effectively.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of current or future job/role responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.

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.

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.

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