Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) – P5 At International Labour Organization

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Introduction

“Promotion of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq” is a five year project funded by the KFW.

The project aims to provide sustainable access to financial services for already operating but also start-up SMEs in Iraq for an improved job creation with focus on youth and women. This will take place through credit guarantees offered to commercial banks which lend to SMEs. Capacity building within project national partners including the Iraq Company for Bank Guarantees (ICBG) and participating financial institutions (PFIs) is a first step followed by an injection of funds into ICBG which will be providing credit guarantees to participating commercial banks. This is accompanied by technical assistance and enterprise development services to reach the overall objective to contribute to Iraq’s private sector development through enhancing the access to finance and the productivity of SMEs and hence their job creation potential.

The proposed Project structure combines three components, which are considered necessary for a significant contribution to the financial inclusion of SMEs in Iraq:

1. SME window established by selected private PFIs through their own capital funds for SMEs: PFIs start lending to SMEs based on market conditions using their own capital funding.
2. an effective credit guarantee scheme: which is critical to overcome the obstacles that SMEs face in securing acceptable collaterals.
3. Technical assistance to capacitate the participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), Iraqi company for Banking Guarantees (ICBG), as well as the SMEs:

Reporting Lines

The Chief Technical Advisor reports to the ILO Country Coordinator for Iraq and leads a team of international and national officers and support staff. S/he will be part of the ILO Iraq management team. The incumbent will receive technical backstopping from the Enterprise Specialists in the Decent Work Team, as well as from the ILO Social Finance and SMEs units of the HQ Enterprise Department.

Description of Duties

• Lead the design, development, implementation and monitoring of the financing mechanisms under the project which include the development of guarantee schemes and SME lending modalities in a complex institutional set-up. Further lead, manage and coordinate ILO advocacy and technical and policy advisory services to provide sustainable access to financial services for SMEs in Iraq.
• Develop and implement effective strategies to create a conducive policy and operational framework for lending to SMEs. This includes conducting a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape, identifying bottlenecks, and proposing relevant solutions.
• Provide strategic advice to PFIs and ICBG to enhance their capacity for efficient and effective financial service delivery tailored to the needs of SMEs. This may include training programs, capacity-building initiatives, and guidance on best practices.
• Foster and strengthen cooperation between SMEs, PFIs, CBI (Central Bank of Irak), and international development agencies to ensure a harmonized approach for serving SMEs. Cultivate partnerships, networks, and relationships that enhance trust and collaboration among key stakeholders in the financial sector, with the ultimate goal of improving SMEs’ access to sustainable financial services needed for business expansion and diversification, which will subsequently lead to job creation.
• Prepare and conduct periodic steering committee meetings.
• Provide authoritative policy and technical advice on the implementation of the financial inclusion and entrepreneurship to ILO constituents, UN partners and other concerned stakeholders.
• Lead the development, review and quality control of major reports, publications, procurement and contracting documents and other project documents.
• Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships and broker collaborative relationships related to SME’s financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.
• Convene and represent the ILO at major meetings and events, including with strategic players, national and international development partners, international financial institutions and multilateral and regional institutions of the UN system and other key stakeholders/organizations.
• Design and implement business management programs for SMEs, start-ups, women-led, and youth-led businesses. These programs should focus on enhancing management skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, preparing SMEs to access financial services.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Economics.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years of experience in SME finance, development finance or banking, including at the international level. Experience in SME development will be a distinct advantage. Experience in credit guarantee tools is an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of Arabic and English.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies the following is required:

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches in the areas of development finance, SME financing, Credit guarantee schemes and related technical areas, with the ability to lead and oversee their development and implementation.
• Technical, leadership and project management skills. Managerial skills for the effective management of human and financial resources. Ability to provide clear direction and to develop, inspire and encourage high performing, pioneering and motivated individuals and teams, specialized in the technical area of work.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, negotiation, promotion, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
• Ability to build, negotiate and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders and to create innovative opportunities for promoting synergies and ensure organizational results and success over the immediate, mid-term and long-term horizon.
• Ability to articulate the Organization’s mandate/strategic objectives/programmes when formulating and delivering information and presentations and adapt presentation methodology to address the needs of different audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory, and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.