Senior Project Assistant (SPA)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote social justice and fair labor practices. Established in 1919, the ILO has a mission to ensure that labor standards are upheld globally, focusing on promoting rights at work, encouraging decent employment opportunities, enhancing social protection, and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues. The ILO operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce dedicated to improving labor conditions and promoting social justice. The organization values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Assistant (SPA) will play a crucial role in the implementation of the project "Boosting Decent Jobs and Enhancing Skills for Youth in Rwanda's Digital Economy." This project aims to address the challenges faced by young people in Rwanda, particularly in accessing decent employment opportunities within the digital economy. The SPA will support the Project Manager in executing project activities, ensuring that they are carried out effectively, on time, and in alignment with the ILO's policies and values. The position requires a proactive approach to administrative tasks, coordination of project events, and collaboration with various stakeholders to facilitate the project's objectives. The SPA will also be involved in monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring that the project's impact is assessed and reported accurately. This role is vital for fostering a gender-sensitive approach and ensuring the inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly young women and individuals with disabilities, in the project's activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: supporting the administrative implementation of project activities related to digital skills and enterprise development; organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions; coordinating logistics and administrative arrangements for project events; monitoring the progress of project activities in accordance with the monitoring and evaluation framework; preparing background information, cost estimates, and reports for project use; assisting in the development of communication materials and documenting best practices; providing administrative support to implementation partners; and undertaking missions related to project implementation. The SPA will also be expected to perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Project Manager, ensuring that all activities are conducted with a focus on quality, timeliness, and gender sensitivity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completion of secondary school education along with formal training in a relevant administrative area. Additionally, candidates should have at least six years of progressively responsible administrative work experience at a senior level, including supervisory experience. The role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize tasks, and proficiency in computer software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Reader. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation approaches for capacity-building projects is also essential, as is the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and demonstrate gender-sensitive behavior and attitudes.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of secondary school education, which serves as the foundational requirement. Formal training in an administrative field is also necessary to ensure that candidates have the requisite skills and knowledge to perform the duties associated with the role effectively.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of six years of progressively responsible administrative work experience, particularly at a senior level. This experience should include supervisory responsibilities, demonstrating the ability to manage teams and coordinate complex administrative tasks effectively. Candidates should also have experience in project implementation and support, particularly in contexts related to youth employment and skills development.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of English, which is essential for communication and reporting purposes. Additionally, a working knowledge of another official language of the ILO or an official national language of Rwanda is preferred, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the project's objectives.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for one year, with the possibility of extension based on various factors such as availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The entry-level salary for this position is 25,990,000 Rwandan francs per year. The ILO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities. The recruitment process is subject to specific local criteria, and external candidates must meet these requirements to be considered for the position. The ILO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and values transparency and fairness in its hiring practices.