Country: Ethiopia
Closing date: 12 Mar 2019
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.
In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.
The following are eligible to apply:
- ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
- External candidates*
*The recruitment process for General Service positions is subject to specific local recruitment criteria.
Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A nine month short term contract will be given. Extensions 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.
*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.
Introduction
Skills development is a fundamental enabler of economic growth and private sector development. Over recent decades, the global economy has experienced a profound transformation, mostly as a result of trade integration and technological progress. Increased international trade has driven economic growth in both high- and low-income economies, lifting millions out of poverty. Yet, employers around the world rank skills shortages as a major constraint to growing their business, particularly on international markets. For countries to harness the potential benefit of today’s global economy and the opportunities offered by technological advancements, investment in skills formation is crucial, especially in developing countries where skilled labour is scarce.
The SKILL-UP programme addresses these concerns. The overall programme includes five field components and a global component. The field components (Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Senegal, and Tanzania) assist constituents in strengthening skills systems to enable international trade. The global component focusses on research and policy advisory services primarily related to the issue of skills and technology.
This position will be based within the Ethiopia component of the programme. The Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTP II - 2015/16-2019/2020) emphasizes the importance of trade within national plans for economic development. It also reiterates the importance of education and the expansion of TVET to enable such progress. The Education Sector Development Programme V (ESDP V, 2015/16 - 2019/20) details the objectives on TVET in terms of quality, standards, assessment, and work-based learning.
The Ethiopia component of SKILL-UP is aligned with these major strategies. It will strengthen the country’s skills system through sectoral approaches to promote a better alignment between skills development and labour market needs, with a focus on export-oriented sectors. In addition, it will support national constituents and other stakeholders on issues of coordination and inclusion.
Reporting lines
Under the overall responsibility of the Director of the ILO Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, and for the Special Representative to the AU and the ECA, in Addis Ababa, the Finance and Administrative Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and under the guidance of the Project Manager of the SKILL-UP programme in ILO SKILLS.
Description of Duties
- Maintain financial documents for the project in an orderly manner;
- Compile, monitor, and revise yearly specific budgets for the project with the supervision of the NPC and the Project Manager;
- Organize data and information, prepare and maintain records, documents and control systems for the monitoring and evaluation of the project;
- Produce financial reports that show the details of project expenditures against budgets on a quarterly basis for purposes of monitoring and proper planning;
- Regularly monitor project delivery and produce relevant reports, and prepare clear, user-friendly spread sheets, reports and/or other supporting documentation.
- Check and record external and internal payment authorizations;
- Process contracts for financial clearance and payment. Ensure the correctness and appropriateness of types of contracts used with each activity, and ensure all necessary supporting documents are attached.
- Assist in issuing of external collaboration contracts and service contracts;
- Advise the Project Manager in all aspects of accounts and financial control procedures in order to ensure strict compliance with ILO financial rules and regulations, as per guidance from the Financial Department of the ILO Regional Office for Africa;
- Make the Project Manager aware of any financial/funding problems that may impact on the programme reaching its objectives;
- Meet financial requests in a timely manner allowing for processing times;
- Assist in providing responses in respect of accounting and audit queries that may be raised by the Donors, the verification unit of the Africa Regional Office and ILO HQ, related to accounting and/or financial transactions of the programme;
- Organize workshops, trainings and meetings; provide secretarial, administrative and financial support;
- In line with ILO Procurement Rules, Requisition office supplies and equipment locally and abroad, and arrange for control of distribution and maintenance of inventory records;
- Make travel arrangements, hotel reservations and prepare travel authorization forms;
- According to ILO's rules, ensure discharge of financial responsibilities for the projects contractual obligations to third parties;
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Required qualifications
Education
Completion of secondary school education, supplemented by technical courses in accounting and/or finance and administrative field.
Experience
Six years of progressively responsible financial and administrative work, within the UN context. Prior ILO experience is highly desirable, as well as prior experience working on technical cooperation projects.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of Amharic.
Competencies
- Knowledge and understanding of a complex body of financial and administrative rules, guidelines and procedures.
- Knowledge of in-house procedures for the preparation of documents and administrative forms, and for the creation and maintenance of filing systems.
- Good analytical skills. Ability to reason and make sound judgements.
- Ability to maintain financial records and prepare clerical accounting reports and statements.
- Must demonstrate responsible behaviour and attention to detail.
- Ability to deal with confidential matters with discretion.
- Must display high standards of ethical conduct.
- Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office.
- Ability to evaluate correspondence and inquiries for best course of action.
- Ability to respond to work related inquiries in an appropriate manner.
- Ability to obtain services from other work units inside or outside the office for completion of tasks.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
- Organizational skills.
- Ability to clarify information.
- Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
How to apply:
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit https://jobs.ilo.org/. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
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.
Fraud warning
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.