UNDP Jobs - 51481- Career Advisor for the SYSLAB Centre in Balti: Inn

Career Advisor for the SYSLAB Centre in Balti: Innovative Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Employment (SYSLAB)

Location :

Balti, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

15-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

14-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-2

Duration of Initial Contract :

till 31 December, with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 years

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The development of human capital is viewed as a prerequisite for an inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Moreover, it is increasingly seen at the cornerstone for both advanced and emerging economies seeking to speed up economic development and address the challenges posed by the global economic crisis.
From the development perspective, the labor plays critical role for Moldova’s socio-economic modernization, as it is one of the few resources available in the country. However, long hailed as a country with abundant labor resources, Moldova has increasingly found that labor (mostly as quality, but also quantity) has become its major development constraint , with Moldova’s labor endowment suffering considerably in the last two decades. The prospects for the quantity of labor force available in the future are not necessarily brighter given continuous outward migration and dire demographic outlook.
This loss in the labor force was only partly offset by the improvements in the labor productivity, which remained the lowest in the CEE and Western CIS region . Capital and skill endowments are amongst chief determinants of the labor productivity . In their turn, the skill endowment is largely dependent not only on the quality of the country’s education system, but also on training programs provided by various institutions.
The Innovative Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Employment Project was designed to establish career centers in four most important regions of Moldova with the goal to train and assist qualified unemployed and graduates in obtaining relevant employment in Moldova, preventing brain-waste, as well as brain-drain, and supporting economic growth of the country. SYSLAB training centers were already established in Chisinau, Rezina and Cahul. Two further centers will be opened in Balti and Comrat.
For the training Centre to be established in Balti, one head of the Centre, one career advisor and assistant will be hired to manage and coordinate Centre’s activities.

FOCUS OF THE SYSLAB PROJECT
The Project is designed to establish career centers in four most important regions of Moldova with the goal to train and assist qualified unemployed and graduates in obtaining relevant employment in Moldova, preventing brain-waste, as well as brain-drain, and supporting economic growth. One training center will be established in Chisinau and three centers will be established in the regions of Moldova.

The Project will achieve the following objectives:

Provide new technologies to labor market authorities;
Provide motivated labor force to private and public sectors;
Give graduates a better chance for relevant employment in Moldova;
Give unemployed improved employability.

Overall, the project shall contribute to the development, adaptation and implementation of new tools (technology and methods) for career development, job search and entrepreneurship in Moldova.
The Career Centers will focus on:

    new graduates, in order to prevent them from unemployment and to create job opportunities, and hence reduce/prevent brain-drain;
    unemployed irrespective of age, gender, ethnic background or education or work experience;
    returning migrants.

In achieving the project goals, the gender balance aspect will be taken into consideration, offering equal opportunities to both women and men to benefit from the Centers’ services.
The center to be established in Balti will have 3 people as permanent staff. The center will focus on highly qualified unemployed, young graduates and returning migrants. It will offer a classic SYSLAB Center, entrepreneurship training, job-seeking courses and individual career guidance.
Estimated number of annual beneficiaries for Balti center:

    SYSLAB-training    60
    Job training    200
    Entrepreneurship training    60
    Simple subject courses    120
    Individual programs    150-300

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Centre and Project Manager, the Career Advisor contributes to the effective and efficient implementation of the SYSLAB Centre’s activities. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Career Advisor works in close collaboration with the Head of the Centre, and the rest of the Centre’s Team for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving SYSLAB Centre’s-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent will strictly observe and implement the provisions of the internal SOP on methodological transfer.

The Career Advisor of the SYSLAB Centre in Balti, under the supervision of the Head of SYSLAB Centre, in close cooperation with the Project Manager, will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the objectives of the Project) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients, applying HRBA and GE approaches. More specifically, he/she will be responsible for the following:

A. Coordination

To work closely with Project staff on the timely and full implementation of the SOP on methodological transfer;
To work closely with the Project staff and the labour market authorities in the implementation of the activities of the SYSLAB Centre by taking into account the multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary challenges in the implementation of SYSLAB interventions;
Ensure timely and efficient delivery of outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results; be responsible for the implementation of the Centre’s work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
Maintain regular contacts with the local employment agencies for the transfer of Project’s knowledge, experience, and methodology;
Enable partnerships with the private sector and academia;
Continuously record and maintain relevant Centre’s training activities, issues, risks, etc.;
Ensure the compliance with SYSLAB’s Environmental, Health and Safety Policy;
Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Project as required.

B. Management and coaching of participants

Organize new SYSLAB periods; set up the departments;
Organize and monitor career orientation activities;
Recruit new participants to SYSLAB;
Establish contacts with external suppliers of training courses;
Develop and implement Job seeker courses and Application, and CV seminars;
Organize and maintain a filing system;
Constantly update participant’s database;
Coordinate reception, evaluation and advising of people with business ideas;
Organize staff interviews, motivation seminars, “management by walking around”, and other events in line with the needs of the SYSLAB Centre.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Proven ability to analyze and evaluate the efficiency of the SYSLAB interventions; evaluate impact and suggest corrective measures; ability to adapt to changing environment;
Proven ability to problem-solve, and think creatively to develop and implement smart business solutions in a challenging socio-economic environment;
Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in public administration, economics, social sciences, law or related areas. Master Degree would be an advantage. Additional training and certification in project management would be an asset.

Experience:

At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience is required at the national or international level in the local/regional economic development, entrepreneurship promotion, career development or related fields, preferably in a public institution
At least one (1) year of consultancy/training experience in a relevant field.
Practical experience with similar interventions/projects is a strong asset;
Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO/think-tank or private sector / consulting firm is a strong advantage;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).

Language Requirements:

Fluency in both oral and written English, Romanian and Russian is a must; fluency in English is needed in order to ensure smooth coordination of activities with the Norwegian counterparts, particularly as it regards the adaptation and implementation of SYSLAB methodology; fluency in Romanian and Russian are needed in order to interact on a daily basis with the direct beneficiaries in SYSLAB centers, local stakeholders, among others.
Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.

Applications should be submitted on line and preferably include Personal History Form (P11). Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.

Please note also that the position implies full time presence in Balti during the working week.