National Project Officer JSB (NOA) DC Full-Time

In March, Mozambique was hit by Tropical Cyclone Idai. The consequences, apart from the dramatic loss of life, have been heavily felt in the infrastructures sector. In Manica province, one of the most affected, 3 bridges have been damaged or destroyed, 239 km (10%) have been affected of which 65 km (3%) are damaged, according to Mozambique’s National Road Authority (ANE).

The Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB) provides support in situations in which urgency, necessity, unpredictability and irreplaceability of Japanese expertise are at play. The JSB tries to create a humanitarian-development nexus, while supporting the attainment of the SDGs and alignment with national priorities. As such, the JSB is funding “Rural Roads and jobs: Restoring access and improving resilience in Manica Province in the aftermath of Cyclone IDAI”, a project implemented by ILO, led by ILO’s Mozambique Projects office with support from Decent Work Technical Support Team for Southern Africa (DWT-Pretoria).

The objective of this project is to develop local capacities to implement spot repairs and upgrading of rural roads using employment intensive (EI) techniques that can restore full access to isolated areas in the affected province of Manica and improves the resilience and livelihood of the affected communities. The project intends introduce innovative and climate resilient technologies including Employment-intensive road paving technology and construction and maintenance of low-level bridges and drainage structures. The project will also provide custom-made technical and business training on EI technology targeting the staff of partner institutions, small scale contractors and local youth. The training will be based on theory and practical demonstration. In addition, the project will strengthen capacities of national authorities and technical training institutions on the planning, implementation and monitoring of EI works.

Reporting Line:

The National Project Officer (NPO) will work and report under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Director of the ILO Country office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, The NPO will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Rural Roads Accessibility and Jobs project with a special focus on mainstreaming employment intensive approach in the development and maintenance of rural roads. He will work on day to day activities in close liaison with the Technical Officer – Pro Employment Policy and Strategy whose scope of responsibility is dedicated to the promotion of EI techniques under the MozTrabalha project. The NPO will receive technical guidance from the EIIP Specialist in DWT-Pretoria as well as the relevant technical departments at the headquarters.

The incumbent will work with close collaboration with other colleagues of MozTrabalha project based in Maputo, Mozambique, the technical staff and consultants of JICA in Mozambique and the relevant local Japanese Embassy staff.

Description of Duties

1. Produce discussion documents and knowledge products to assist in the development and promotion of pro-employment policies, strategies and implementation tools for adoption by implementing agencies. Based on these, identify potential technical cooperation areas and provide written analysis on the findings to the Country Director;
2. Work in close collaboration with (partners) to design and revise project annual work plans as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of ILO constituent partners, partner institutions, and training providers and local communities;
3. Advise implementing partners in the identification, planning, and implementation of rural road improvement works in a manner that increases and optimises labour intensity and quality of works;
4. Assist in organizing and conducting awareness workshops and meetings as well as leading and guiding the development of technical manuals and training guides on pro-employment rural roads development works;
5. Participate in the design and monitoring of field trials and quality assurance of infrastructure works to ensure productivity, quality and effectiveness in the delivery of employment intensive road improvement and maintenance works;
6. Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meeting targets;
7. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions;
8. Provide technical advice and mentorship to the emerging contractors and community groups in EI project planning, design and supervision as well as realigning of project activities to employment intensive principles;
9. Participate in the preparation and conduct of technical training, conferences, seminars, workshops and consultative meetings, with regular missions to project sites independently or accompanying others;
10. Assist in developing simplified technical and managerial tools necessary for the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities;
11. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project with translation to local languages;
12. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director

First level university degree in or equivalent qualification in civil and/or environmental engineering. Qualification in employment intensive approach, natural resources management, climate change, or related disciplines with expertise in Social Analysis will be added advantage.

At least two years of professional experience at the national level in the area of infrastructure works (i.e., Roads, Water & sanitation, building, etc.), project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in the road sector as well as working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.

Excellent command of English and working knowledge of Portuguese.

• Ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for project design, administration and evaluation techniques and practices;
• Knowledge of the ILO office’s financial rules and regulations;
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise;
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills;
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information;
• Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative;
• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility;
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline;
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications, and
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.

“Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable but not selected for this position can also be offered to be assigned on another temporary position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position”.