The ILO is leading Mwakuri Aika a Raraoi Ibukimi (“Decent Work for All”) Activity 2 (MARI 2), as part of Mwakuri Aika Nakoraoi Ibukin Maeuraoimi “Decent Employment for Everyone’s Development” (MANIM Project), funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The overall MANIM Project objective is to facilitate decent and inclusive employment for I-Kiribati.
MARI 2 has a budget of approximately US$6 million over 48 months of implementation, subject to confirmation of funding expected in December 2023. It aims to enhance protection and family resilience in Kiribati for existing, aspiring and returnee migrant workers, members of their families, and their advocates, across three key areas: workers’ rights and wellbeing, including facilitating the establishment of Kiribati’s first Overseas Worker Resource Centre (OWRC); pre-departure training and community outreach, in complement to existing pre-departure programs, which will equip workers and their families to maximise the benefits, and manage the impacts of, labour migration; and reintegration support to sustain the benefits of labour migration. The ILO will work closely with the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources (MEHR) across all results areas. In addition to leading Activity 2 (MARI 2) of the MANIM Project, ILO is responsible for implementing the Counter-Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Risk Management Plan for the MANIM Project as a whole.
The Project Manager will be responsible for implementation and delivery of MARI 2, with four areas of technical and management functions:
Project implementation, project management and quality assurance, including technical supervision and advice;
Project planning, M&E and reporting;
Capacity building, strategic policy advice and knowledge transfer; and
Partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders both national and international, and advocacy for decent work.
Description of Duties:
The Project Manager will report to the ILO Director for Pacific Island Countries based in Suva, Fiji, with technical guidance from the Senior Migration Specialist (DWT-Bangkok). MARI 2 will also receive technical support from the International Labour Standards Specialist (CO-Suva), International Labour Migration Branch (MIGRANT) in ILO headquarters, the Senior Specialist on Gender, Equality and Non-Discrimination (DWT-Bangkok), and additional expertise will be sought from other departments and specialists as required.
MARI 2 will have a team of four staff, reporting to the Project Manager, including a National Programme Coordinator (NOB) and Administrative and Financial Assistant (G6) based in Tarawa; with an additional Administrative and Financial Assistant (G6) based in Suva, Fiji. The Project Manager will also oversee the work of implementing partners, international and national consultants hired during the course of the project. The Project Manager will liaise closely with MANIM Project partners including MCC and American Councils, tripartite partners and civil society organizations in Kiribati, as well as Member States and regional bodies relevant to labour migration for I-Kiribati workers.
The Project Manager will lead MARI 2 and undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
Lead effective implementation of all aspects of the programme through timely provision of inputs, effective backstopping, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, including ensuring the establishment of the OWRC;
Manage, guide and supervise the work of the National Programme Coordinator and Administrative and Financial Assistants, including the recruitment and performance appraisal of staff, and the financial management of the programme. Ensure adherence with ILO rules and guidelines and foster a workplace environment that promotes learning, staff development, knowledge-sharing, collaboration, gender equality and non-discrimination;
Develop and ensure effective coordination and monitoring of workplans, including risk management and contingency planning, in coordination with MARI 2 partners, MANIM Project partners, and concerned national stakeholders;
Ensure gender equality and social inclusion is effectively mainstreamed into MARI 2 activities, including through identification of and liaison with appropriate project partners, stakeholders and experts, and oversee the implementation of the MANIM Project CTIP Management Plan and MARI 2 Social and Gender Integration Plan (SGIP);
Programme planning, M&E and reporting:
Develop, manage and monitor budgets and resources to ensure MARI 2 achieves its stated commitments, in compliance with ILO policies, guidelines and administrative and financial procedures, and with donor requirements;
Monitoring and evaluation of the programme activities in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and administrative and financial procedures;
Compliance with donor requirements and liaison with MANIM 2 project partners regarding M&E planning and implementation, including participating in annual learning sessions and reporting on activities to promote gender equality and social inclusion;
Oversee the development of information systems covering ILO technical activities under the programme, and economic and social issues of relevance to the programme, and the preparation of periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of programme planning and implementation, including in coordination with concerned ILO departments and programmes;
Capacity building, strategic policy advice and knowledge transfer:
Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with programme partners and stakeholders, particularly MEHR and tripartite partners, and work collaboratively to promote sustainable results, advancing achievement of and commitment to decent work in Kiribati;
Provide expert guidance and coordination for MEHR, line ministries, other tripartite partners and civil society organizations engaged directly or indirectly by the programme, including establishing and maintaining regular national programme advisory processes;
Organize national and sub-national workshops on technical issues, provide technical and logistical support for regional and international study tours and peer-to-peer exchange, identify and train partner agencies for national and sub-national activities, assist them in the design of action programmes, and monitor, backstop, evaluate, and adapt them where appropriate;
Partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders both national and international, and advocacy for decent work.
Build partnerships with regional mechanisms and institutions, tripartite stakeholders in origin and destination countries within the Pacific
Promote ILO policies regarding migration, forced labour, child labour, equality of opportunity and treatment for women and men, and the relevant International Labour Standards; social dialogue, employment; and skills;
Represent the ILO in Kiribati, and coordinate closely with the ILO regional migration programmes, with ILO country offices and the DWT-Bangkok, with various UN agencies, bilateral donors and NGOs, and others with programmes or mandates, to manage migration and combat trafficking;
Provide thematic support to MIGRANT and other ILO units as appropriate;
Carry out other duties as may be assigned.
Required qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree in economics, political science, social science, management, law or a related discipline, with demonstrated expertise in the relevant technical field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field, with an additional two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience:
Seven years of professional experience, including at the international level. Field experience in programme management and implementation. Proven capacity to initiate and implement technical cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs. Experience in the Pacific is desirable. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures would be an asset. Experience in working on labour migration issues is highly regarded.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of one working language of the Office (English).
