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 globally. Established in 1919, the ILO has a mission to advance decent work opportunities for women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and human dignity. 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. The ILO Country Office for Bangladesh (CO-Dhaka) focuses on implementing development cooperation projects that extend social protection coverage to all workers, including migrant workers and their families.

Job Overview:
The National Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in the implementation and coordination of two significant development cooperation projects aimed at extending social protection coverage in Bangladesh. The first project, 'Advancing Universal Social Insurance for Workers in Bangladesh,' is a three-year initiative funded by UNDP and DFAT (Australia) that seeks to transition from policy commitment to an operational national social insurance system. The second project, 'STREAM – Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers and Their Families in the South Asia–Gulf Corridor,' is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and aims to ensure that migrant workers and their families can access social protection through policy reform and improved access to benefits. The National Project Coordinator will ensure coherent delivery of both projects, working closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, and development partners. This position requires strong project management skills, the ability to coordinate complex activities, and a commitment to promoting social protection for vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for managing the operational delivery of the projects, including developing multi-year work plans, managing budgets, overseeing procurement, and ensuring the quality of technical outputs. The coordinator will also coordinate the overall planning and implementation of the projects, manage risks, and ensure effective communication with relevant UN agencies and stakeholders. Key duties include coordinating the design and execution of project activities, conducting research and evidence generation to inform project implementation, providing technical support for developing social insurance frameworks, facilitating strategic policy engagement on migrant workers' social protection, and leading capacity development initiatives. The coordinator will also be responsible for partnership development, resource mobilization, knowledge management, and results-based monitoring and reporting of the projects.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in economics, public policy, social policy, development studies, social sciences, labour studies, public administration, law, or a related field. An advanced university degree is considered an advantage. Additionally, candidates should have strong project management skills, including the ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable work plans and budgets. In-depth knowledge of results-based management and monitoring frameworks is essential, along with the ability to analyze complex policy issues and synthesize evidence into clear policy options. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and have a proven ability to build effective partnerships and coordinate with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, social policy, development studies, social sciences, labour studies, public administration, or law. An advanced degree in these areas is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's competitiveness for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national level in project or programme management. This experience should include work planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder coordination. Experience in social protection or labour market policy is considered an added advantage. Familiarity with UN joint programmes and cross-regional multi-stakeholder initiatives, as well as experience working with government institutions and social partners, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of Bangla and English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and reporting within the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national role open only to Bangladeshi candidates. The contract type is fixed-term for one year, with the possibility of extension based on various factors, including the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The ILO values diversity among its staff and encourages applications from qualified women and men, including persons with disabilities. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates are advised to apply through the ILO People online application system.