INTRODUCTION

The Government of Botswana and Social Partners with the technical and financial support from the ILO is launching the Project Addressing Climate Change and Promoting a Just Transition to a Greener World of Work in Botswana, which will run until 31 May 2023. The Project seeks to address the impacts of climate change and unsustainable practices on the world of work and national development challenges such as poverty, inequality including gender inequality and inequity, unemployment and the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when they endeavour to become more resource efficient and pursue green economy ventures. These challenges have all been intensified by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The project takes a systems approach and emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing climate change in an integrated, gender-responsive manner across macro, meso and micro levels. At macro-level, research and assessments of the challenges posed by climate change and its impacts on sectors and occupations will inform policy choices to be made by the Government and Social Partners. At meso-level, capacity development of workers’ organisations, employers’ and business member organisations, sector associations, educational institutions and BDS-providers will enable them to improve services to their members, supporting them to adapt to climate change. At micro-level, capacity-development of enterprises and their workers, employment seekers and new and emerging entrepreneurs will enable them to pursue economic opportunities and create decent work in green-economy sectors like e.g. renewable energy, nature-based tourism and climate-smart agriculture. Foreseen project results are: a) an improved enabling policy environment for a just transition and investment framework that promotes a green, inclusive and employment creating economy; b) national institutions provide services to their members that support a just transition towards a greener world of work, and; c) firms pursue green growth opportunities and create employment and decent work.

To coordinate the Project, the ILO is recruiting a National Project Coordinator (NPC) who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project implementation and who will provide technical advisory services to implementing partners and to beneficiaries within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO. The incumbent will ensure that the planned objectives are attained within the stated time frame and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO financial rules and regulations as well as promote the Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All. The incumbent will also be the direct line manager for other project staff.
Reporting lines

The position is located in Gaborone, Botswana and reports to the Country Director of the Decent Work Team for Eastern and Southern Africa and Country Office for Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa, located in Pretoria, South Africa (DWT/CO Pretoria). The NPC will be technically backstopped by the Senior Specialists for Employers’ Activities, for Workers Activities, for Gender Equality and for Sustainable Enterprises as well as by other Decent Work Team specialists when required. The NPC will also receive technical advice and support from the Just Transition Team at the Green Jobs Programme as well as from the SME Unit, both located in the ENTERPRISES Department at ILO Headquarters. The NPC will directly oversee the work of administrative and other support staff of the project and international and local consultants hired during the course of the project. The project will have one NPC, one Finance and Administrative Assistant (FAA) based in Gaborone and a part-time FAA based in DWT/CO Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The NPC is responsible for the achievement of the project’s planned outputs with the resources provided. The main duties comprise:

1. Review and analyse Botswana’s development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other information relevant to climate change adaptation, mitigation and just transition to inform and plan Project activities and align them with national priorities;
2. Engage and consult with Constituents and external partners including UN agencies, as well as ILO technical units and DWT backstopping specialists in the preparation of Project activities, ensure the timely delivery of activities and outputs by implementing partners and raise any areas of concern regarding progress with the backstopping specialists;
3. Coordinate research and gender responsive situational analyses and market assessments of climate change challenges and their impact on the world of work, review reports and ensure technical quality, and present findings in national dialogue events with Constituents and other stakeholders;
4. Establish effective partnerships and coordination with the ILO Constituents, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, private sector organisations as well as sister UN Agencies and build support for a comprehensive response to tackling climate change and ensuring a just transition to a greener world of work in Botswana;
5. Prepare briefs and periodical Development Cooperation Progress Reports (DCPR) on the status of project activities and present in Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings for deliberation and subsequent guidance on project implementation by the PSC;
6. Manage the effective implementation of the Project through an efficient planning of activities in conformity with ILO administrative and financial procedures and by always submitting timely requests for approval to ensure Project funds are released in time for activities to proceed;
7. Manage the efficient and timely spending of Project resources while always keeping in mind the “value for money” principle when contracting individual consultants and service providers and when organising seminars and workshops;
8. Undertake missions, independently or accompanying other officials, to project locations to monitor and report on project implementation, identify issues and propose corrective actions to the Director and to the backstopping technical specialists;
9. Organize and support the delivery of seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings in line with project activities;
10. Brief ILO specialists, experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on Project matters and support additional resource mobilization efforts with the backstopping technical specialists;
11. Develop project information and communication materials and knowledge products. Liaise with ILO constituents and partners for effective dissemination of project results to enhance project visibility;
12. Supervise the work of support staff and junior national officer staff;
13. Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the Office Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in environmental science, economics, social sciences or business management

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of two years professional work experience at the national level related to either environmental/resource management and/or enterprise development and/or employment creation programmes.

Experience in just transition programmes is an advantage. Understanding of the ILO, the United Nations system, and experience in working with officials of government ministries and employers’ and workers’ organizations is an advantage.

LANGUAGES

Excellent command of written and spoken English. A good working knowledge of Tswana is an advantage.

COMPETENCIES

Required Competencies and Skills

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project formulation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices
• Knowledge of the role and operations of UN system activities for development
• Knowledge of the ILO’s financial rules and regulations
• Knowledge of organization-wide activities and objectives
• Ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
• Good writing skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Good analytical skills and familiarity with analytical tools and techniques
• Ability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators
• Ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and ability to negotiate
• Good computer skills and ability to work with MS Office programmes
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to supervise staff
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

OTHER

Written Examination and Interview – Prospective candidates will be required to sit in a written examination and take part in an interview.

Application: Qualified women and men are encouraged to apply. Only qualified candidates will be notified. Please submit application indicating the Vacancy Announcement Number along with your CV, three references and other supporting documents.

“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”.