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 five 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, Cahul, and Rezina and two further centers will be opened in Balti and Comrat.
For each regional training Centre established, one head of the Centre, one  career advisor and assistant are hired to manage and coordinate Centre’s activities. 

FOCUS OF THE SYSLAB PROJECT
The Project is designed to establish career centers in five 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.

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 the Republic of Moldova.
The Career Centers focuses 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 established in Rezina has 3 people as permanent staff. The center focuses on qualified unemployed, young graduates and returning migrants. It offers a classic SYSLAB Center, entrepreneurship training, job-seeking courses and individual career guidance.
Estimated number of annual beneficiaries for Rezina center:

• SYSLAB-training 100
• Job training 150
• Entrepreneurship training 60
• Simple subject courses 60
• Individual programs 100-150

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent provides effective and efficient management of the SYSLAB Centre through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management, and monitoring of Centre’s activities. The Head of the Centre applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Head of the Centre works in close collaboration with the Project Manager for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving SYSLAB Centre’s-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

The Head of the Centre will cooperate with the leaders of the SYSLAB Centres to be opened in the regions of Moldova, with the goal of transferring the learned methodology and experience in running of SYSLAB Centre.

The Head of the SYSLAB Centre in Rezina, in close cooperation with UNDP 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. The Head will independently and proactively implement the SYSLAB system, acting as a visible and trusted leader and ensuring coaching for all participants. More specifically, he/she will be responsible for the following:

A. Efficient and effective overall management of the SYSLAB Centre and its resources

• Strictly adhere and implement all the provisions of the SOP on internal methodological transfer;
• Prepare weekly, monthly and annual work-plans reflecting the scope of activities (recruitment of direct beneficiaries, teaching and coaching, visibility, etc.), timing, sequencing, cost and other inputs for the implementation of the Centre’s activities;
• 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;
• Revise work-plans, develop periodic narrative progress reports to Project Management;
• Ensure cost-effective management and operation of SYSLAB Centre according to the strategies laid down by the partnership, and priorities described in the SYSLAB Quality Management System;
• Liaise with the national counterparts, donors, private sector, and the Project to ensure that Project results are achieved and Project resources are managed efficiently and effectively;
• Maintain regular contacts with the local employment agencies for the transfer of Project’s knowledge, experience, and methodology;
• Enable strategic partnerships with the private sector and academia;  suggest and draft provisions of future MoUs with such strategic partners;
• Provide inputs for the development of terms of reference for international and national consultants;
• Continuously record and maintain relevant Centre’s activities, issues, risks, etc.;
• Ensure the compliance with SYSLAB’s Environmental, Health and Safety Policy;
• Ensure high quality information and visibility of the Project activities to the local media and stakeholders; plan and organize various visibility events on a regular basis engaging relevant counterparts; ensure permanent updates to the Project’s/Center’s web site;
• Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings and related activities relevant to running of the Centre;
• Ensure the effective management of human resources pertaining to the Centre, including staff, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals;
• Organize interviews, motivation seminars, “management by walking around”, counseling, and general meetings for the staff and direct beneficiaries of the Centre.
• Perform any other duties connected directly with the management of the Center and its resources as required.

B. Teaching and support for employability and entrepreneurship development and promotion

• Ensure efficient coordination on all methodological aspects with the SYSLAB Chisinau center, which is leading on the methodological transfer to all regional centers;
• Engage in and coordinate recruitment of relevant beneficiaries, according to the categories specified in the project document, for both employability and entrepreneurship components of the Center and the Project;
• Ensure organization of new SYSLAB periods and setting up the departments, in line with the Quality Manual;
• Develop and/or implement courses relevant to Centre’s participant’s skills and motivation, to include all basic SYSLAB courses as provided in the Quality Manual; coordinate development and ensure implementation of other courses, including entrepreneurship/self-employment ones;
• Provide support in the implementation of the Seed-money fund created within the framework of the Project and orient potential applicants from the full-time groups to apply to it, based on the agreed internal regulation governing such fund;
• Ensure synergies, cooperation and efficient networking with other SYSLAB centers to exchange best practices and share knowledge on entrepreneurship and employability promotion.
• Weekly and quarterly evaluate recruitment and teaching/coaching activities and report back to Project Management.

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 experience and ability to manage medium-scale teams and projects, medium- to large-size training interventions;
• 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 five (5) 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 an international organization, national agency, national ministry, non-governmental organization/think-tank, or private sector. Practical experience with similar interventions/projects is a strong asset;
• Experience in setting-up, administering or consulting private sector entity/ies 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.