National Programme 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 social and economic progress through decent work for all. The organization operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 3,500 employees. The ILO is committed to promoting rights at work, encouraging decent employment opportunities, enhancing social protection, and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues. The ILO values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, disability, or background.

Job Overview:
The National Programme Coordinator will play a crucial role in the implementation of the ILO's Programme of Cooperation in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative. This position involves leading the day-to-day operations of the programme, ensuring that strategic objectives are translated into actionable plans. The coordinator will be responsible for providing high-quality programming inputs, monitoring and evaluating project activities, and promoting gender equality and non-discrimination throughout the project. The role requires establishing strong relationships with national counterparts, including government entities and labor organizations, and representing the programme in technical discussions. The coordinator will also oversee the organization of events, identify capacity gaps, and contribute to resource mobilization efforts, ensuring that the programme aligns with national strategies and initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Programme Coordinator will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Leading the implementation of the programme's workplan and translating strategic objectives into detailed plans.
• Drafting programme framework documents, project proposals, and technical reports with minimal supervision.
• Monitoring and evaluating project progress, ensuring clarity and consistency in reports and data.
• Promoting gender equality and non-discrimination in all project aspects.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with national counterparts and representing the programme in discussions.
• Organizing and providing technical direction for conferences, workshops, and capacity-building events.
• Identifying capacity gaps and proposing technical responses, including training and knowledge products.
• Managing Terms of Reference for external collaborators and ensuring quality assurance of their deliverables.
• Conducting monitoring missions and field visits to assess implementation progress and identify risks. 1
• Supporting resource mobilization and partnership development with UN agencies and other partners. 1
• Ensuring high-level communications to enhance the project's visibility and documenting activities and results. 1
• Overseeing the administrative and financial management of the project office and providing guidance to project support staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in fields such as economics, public policy, law, social sciences, or international relations. An advanced university degree (Master’s) in a relevant field is strongly desirable. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate sound knowledge of results-based management and the programming cycle, with the ability to draft high-quality documents in both Arabic and English. Strong technical knowledge in finance and administration, excellent communication skills, and experience in financial compliance and administrative coordination are also required. Candidates should have the ability to contribute to resource mobilization and formulate project proposals, along with strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, public administration, law, social sciences, development studies, international relations, business, or management. An advanced degree (Master’s) in a relevant field is strongly preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of professional experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development cooperation programmes or projects. Experience with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is required. Additional desirable experiences include relevant professional work in labor market governance, managing multi-component programmes, and familiarity with the Saudi or GCC labor market context. Experience working with government institutions and international organizations, particularly within the United Nations, is also advantageous.

Languages:
Proficiency in both Arabic and English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and documentation within the diverse working environment of the ILO and its stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for one year, with the possibility of extension based on various factors such as funding availability and performance. The entry-level salary for this position is 486,695 SAR yearly. The recruitment process is open to external candidates holding Saudi nationality, and the ILO encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities. The ILO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and maintains a commitment to ethical hiring practices.