National Project Officer

Introduction

The ILO has joined forces with UNDP to implement the project on Supporting Informal Enterprises Transition Towards Sustainable Growth and Formalization in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Regions. The project is centralised at the Social Finance Programme and the Enterprise Formalization team in the SME units of the Enterprises Department at the ILO head office in Geneva. Both units will provide technical support.

Supporting Informal Enterprises Transition Towards Sustainable Growth and Formalization in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Regions

The project on Supporting Informal Enterprises Transition Towards Sustainable Growth and Formalization in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Regions aims to facilitate informal firms’ growth and formalization by:

•  Creating an enabling regulatory environment for informal enterprises
•  Facilitating access to finance
•  Building capacity among the intermediaries and informal enterprises
•  Fostering collective and mutually reinforcing action and innovations to address gaps in selected sectors
•  Disseminating knowledge and experience at the regional and global level

This will be done through the development and promotion of incentives, support schemes, new financial services to facilitate the formalization of informal enterprises, and by strengthening capacities of informal sector intermediaries, aggregators and government, amongst others.

Increased productivity and formalization of informal firms require an improved business environment (regulatory and operational), better financial inclusion, better capacity in business skills and financial literacy, and can accelerate the introduction of relevant digital tools and improved ability to use them. An enabling environment combined with sufficient skills will develop informal firms’ resilience, and eventually their income. Reducing regulatory barriers and introducing new incentives will promote formalization and will allow informal enterprises to benefit from public business services and incentives. Improved and well-designed financial services for the informal enterprises will enhance their financial inclusion including the promotion of greater use of technology. Providing them with the necessary tools to access markets (including information, research, digital platforms for trade) will enable them to earn higher incomes on a more sustained basis, and in the medium-term create new employment opportunities.

The EU-ACP funded project is implemented by UNDP and the ILO in 6 countries (Central African Republic, Haiti, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Solomon Island, Sudan) and runs from March 2022 until May 2026. The ILO has signed a UN to UN Transfer Agreement with UNDP for the implementation of selected activities under the project, in particular: – the development of national action plans, incentives, support schemes and awareness campaigns for enterprise formalization; – technical support to financial intermediaries in the identification and adoption of innovative financial services models/products for informal enterprises, with a particular focus on digital services; – Building capacity among intermediaries for improved BDS; – Building capacity among informal enterprises to improve productivity, market access, financial literacy, business management and entrepreneurial skills; – Training of statistical government agencies in informal sector data collection to relevant government agencies.

During the inception phase of the project, baseline reports and workplans have been developed for each country. These will inform the design and implementation of ILO-led project activities.

Introduction Continued

• The main purpose of the incumbent is to support the technical implementation of the ILO-led project activities in the country in close coordination with UNDP and the national counterparts, notably the Government and the social partners, and, where relevant, to engage with other actors that contribute or may support the formalization and financial inclusion of enterprises.

Reporting Lines

• The National Project Officer will report directly and will be under the overall guidance of the Country Director of the CO-Lusaka, in collaboration with the Head of Social Finance Unit in HQ. He/she will receive technical support and guidance from the project managing team, based within the Social Finance Programme and Enterprise Formalization team in the ILO ENTERPRISES Department, as well as the Enterprise Development Specialist in the DWT in Pretoria. The incumbent will work and coordinate with the UNDP country team in Mozambique, the UNDP project team in Pretoria and relevant ILO projects in the country.

Description of Duties

The National Project Officer will be responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of activities aimed at supporting informal enterprises transition towards financial inclusion, sustainable growth and formalization in Mozambique, in line with the overall project document and country workplan: In particular, the incumbent will:

• Work in close collaboration with UNDP, the Ministry of Labour, line ministries, social partners and other relevant partners from the private sector to adapt the workplan for the implementation of the project and maintain engagement and consultative approaches throughout the duration of the project to ensure smooth implementation of project activities in coordination and with the support of technical units of the ILO.
• In consultation with UNDP, relevant stakeholders and social partners, support the design of project interventions to enhance financial inclusion, enterprise formalization and business growth.
• Coordinate, execute and monitor the agreed activities to promote financial inclusion, sustainable growth and formalization in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.
• Represent the ILO in meetings with the UNDP country team, national stakeholders and the UNDP project team based in Pretoria.
• Coordinate with the ILO project team in Geneva for the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the activities. Provide accurate, timely and complete information on the status of activities.
• Provide technical guidance and support the implementation of project interventions by consistently liaising with project partners, managing contracts and overseeing the deliverables.
• Assist the global team in fostering contacts and relations with governments, ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations and target groups and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of programme activities as far as they are related to financial inclusion, enterprise formalization and growth.
• Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings in line with the workplan. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone.
• Draft, edit, or translate into the local language any relevant official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials related to the project.
• Lead in the preparation of terms of references, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports on the status of the overall activities of the Project.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor or/and the Country Director.

Required Qualifications

Education

• First level university degree in economics, finance, public policies, business management, development studies, or related field.

Experience

• At least two years of professional experience at the national level in the area of enterprise formalization, enterprise development or financial inclusion. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset. Experience working with financial service providers is also desirable.

Languages

• Excellent command of English and working knowledge of Portuguese.

Competencies

• Good knowledge of project management, formulation , administration and evaluation techniques and practices.
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project thematic areas of expertise
• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
• Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
• Proven ability to implement projects in cooperation with project partners and key stakeholders
• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms
• Ability to interpret and comply with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.