The Programme Officer will provide strategic and operational support to ILO’s Development Cooperation (DC) projects across Northern, Western, Eastern, and South-eastern Afghanistan, ensuring coherence with ILO Priorities. The incumbent will provide support to the ILO-Kabul Programme unit in ensuring that ILO-Kabul DC is implemented timely and according to the agreed implementation plans and work plans by the donors. The incumbent will equally provide support in liaising with UN and other implementing partners, a key component of ILO-Kabul DC as projects are implemented in complementarity with other UN agencies.
Responsibilities
Provide professional services for an identified set of programming services. Provide inputs for developing country operations plans for overall compliance with regional and global strategic priorities as well as with programming instructions. Conduct basic research and analysis and draft components of reports and presentations for situation analyses at the national level.
Provide timely, accurate and pertinent information on programme and budget matters for operational decision-making purposes through the strategic use of the results-based management. Use baselines, milestones and indicators to measure, analyse and report on performance. Monitor and verify accuracy of programming data.
Participate in the assessment of country development plans and priorities. Contribute to the design and setting of programme objectives within the framework of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and stated priorities and outcomes. Stay abreast of the political and socio-economic situation and propose actions in response to new and emerging operational challenges.
Participate in missions to monitor and report on programme implementation. Identify issues and propose corrective actions.
Work in cooperation with external partners and technical specialists in the preparation of draft Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Ensure MoUs are consistent with requirements and timelines for project implementation. Request and follow up on the timely submission of progress reports and raise areas of concern with concerned parties.
Participate in interagency fora and meetings with a view to identifying areas of common interest.
Keep abreast of changes to applicable standards and best practices. Share knowledge and provide guidance to staff. Oversee and guide the work of staff performing programme-related work. Supervise staff as applicable.
Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of work methods and processes and make recommendations for improvements. Liaise closely with staff and managers to ensure effective and smooth service design and delivery, recommending improvements on interrelated processes.
Provide inputs to support the Office’s communication activities.
Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
Provide operational and technical support for the planning and implementation of DC projects across priority regions (Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southeastern Afghanistan).
Support the preparation, coordination, and quality assurance of project work plans, budgets, procurement plans, and implementation strategies in line with ILO standards and donor agreements.
Support the development of technical documentation including progress reports, project briefs, knowledge products, and training materials.
Monitor project activities and progress against defined indicators; support adaptive management to enhance impact and sustainability.
Contribute to the mainstreaming of gender equality, inclusion, and conflict-sensitive approaches in all programmatic interventions.
Coordination and Strategic Integration
Support the coordination of the overall ILO’s programme portfolio in Afghanistan to ensure strategic coherence across different projects and thematic areas, in line with the A-DWCP and UNSFA.
Education:
University degree in economics, development studies, labour studies, public administration, international relations, or related social sciences.
Work Experience:
At least two years of professional experience in programme or project coordination, preferably in the areas of employment, livelihoods, economic recovery, or rights-based development.
Prior experience working with the UN system or international organizations is highly desirable.
Familiarity with Afghanistan’s political economy, development challenges, and labour market dynamics is an asset.
Experience working with national institutions, civil society, and donors in fragile or post-conflict contexts is preferred.
