Senior National Project Coordinator

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 advance decent work opportunities for all women and men, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The organization operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 3,300 employees. The ILO is committed to promoting rights at work, encouraging decent employment opportunities, enhancing social protection, and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues. It plays a crucial role in addressing labor issues in various contexts, including humanitarian crises and post-conflict recovery, particularly in regions like Syria where the need for economic development and job creation is critical.

Job Overview:
The Senior National Project Coordinator position is pivotal in leading the ILO's interventions under the PROSPECTS Partnership, focusing on enterprise development and financial inclusion in Syria. This role involves overseeing the implementation of the financial inclusion and entrepreneurship component of the Return and Rebuild project, which is a collaborative effort with UNHCR and UNICEF. The coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that project activities align with the ILO's policies and regulations while meeting the objectives outlined in the project document and work plan. The position requires a proactive approach to managing partnerships with various stakeholders, including government ministries, financial institutions, and business development service providers. The coordinator will also play a key role in monitoring and evaluating project progress, identifying challenges, and proposing solutions to ensure timely achievement of results. This position is based in Damascus, Syria, and requires strong leadership and communication skills to effectively advocate for project goals and enhance visibility at both national and international levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior National Project Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Leading the timely implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the financial inclusion and entrepreneurship component of the project, providing both technical and administrative support to the project manager.
• Coordinating closely with partner UN agencies, NGOs, banks, chambers of commerce, and business development service providers to inform project activities and ensure alignment with annual work plans.
• Identifying challenges in project implementation, proposing actionable solutions, and following up with relevant stakeholders to expedite progress.
• Monitoring project activities by reviewing and analyzing work plans, progress reports, and other documentation for clarity and completeness.
• Organizing seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building among stakeholders.
• Conducting field missions to project sites to monitor implementation and gather insights for project improvement.
• Maintaining strong relationships with government, employers' organizations, and workers' organizations to ensure collaborative planning and execution of project activities.
• Providing technical support to national partners on SME development and access to finance.
• Preparing and reviewing technical progress reports and ad hoc reports for submission to the ILO and donors. 1
• Ensuring high-level communications to enhance project visibility, including preparing briefs, background information, and official correspondence. 1
• Performing any other duties as assigned by the project manager or financial inclusion specialist.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in economics, finance, business administration, development studies, or a related field. A strong knowledge of development issues, particularly in the financial sector, is essential. The ideal candidate should have a comprehensive understanding of the economic landscape in Syria, especially regarding financial sector development and entrepreneurship support. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders, including government bodies, employers' organizations, and private financial sector players. Proven experience in project management and implementation within the economic development sector is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree in a relevant field such as economics, finance, business administration, or development studies. Candidates should have a strong foundation in development issues, particularly those related to financial sector development in Syria. This educational background will equip candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and implement projects aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of professional experience in Syria, specifically in the implementation of economic development-related projects, particularly within the financial sector and entrepreneurship support. Experience working with government bodies, employers' organizations, and private financial sector players, as well as with UN and other international organizations, will be considered an asset. The role requires a demonstrated ability to manage technical cooperation projects and effectively engage with various stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

Languages:
Excellent command of Arabic and English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with project stakeholders and for the preparation of reports and documentation. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an advantage but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract with a duration until 31 December 202

• The entry-level salary for this position is 25,511 USD per year. The ILO values diversity and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities. The recruitment process for this position is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria. Candidates must complete an online application form to apply. The ILO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of fraudulent communications.