Introduction

TRIANGLE Partnerships for Fair and Effective Labour Migration in ASEAN (TRIANGLE Partnerships) is a five-year (2026-2030) regional labour migration programme funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It aims to ensure that ASEAN migrant workers’ access to skills development and protection is strengthened, and the effectiveness of regular labour pathways is enhanced, increasing the development impact of labour migration. The programme has a regional scope with a focus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Country level programming will be pursued in eight countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Timor Leste.

The National programme Coordinator (NPC) for Malaysia will be responsible for the development and effective implementation of the work plan for the TRIANGLE Partnership programme in Malaysia. This includes leading the day-to-day implementation of the programme and realization of the programme’s outputs at the national level. The NPC will work closely with ILO constituents and other stakeholders, identify and monitor the work of implementing partners, and promote the work of the ILO in Malaysia in coordination with other relevant development cooperation projects. The detailed responsibilities are outlined below.

Reporting lines

The National Programme Coordinator (NPC) will work under the overall administrative supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) who oversees the ILO Malaysia portfolio, and the immediate technical and administrative supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor of the TRIANGLE Partnerships programme.

The NPC will receive technical guidance from the Senior Regional Labour Migration Specialist in DWT-Bangkok as well as programming and coordination guidance from the Senior Programme and Partnership Officer (SPPO) of ROAP. The incumbent will also work closely with other national and international staff of TRIANGLE Partnerships. As part of the ILO Project Office in Kuala Lumpur (ILO KL Office) team, the incumbent will work in close consultation with the ILO Representative in Malaysia and the National Programme Officer (NPO) on liaising with governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, peer UN agencies and key stakeholders of the ILO.

of Duties

• Develop strategy and identify innovative interventions and approaches for delivering the objectives of TRIANGLE Partnership within the country and across major migration corridors. Consult with national-level tripartite partners, CSOs, academia and other stakeholders to identify appropriate strategies and activities. Identify interventions that deliver on the programme’s commitment to gender equality and inclusion.
• Review and analyse country specific law and legislation, development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information. Assemble and edit basic data required for planning, reporting and negotiation of programme activities, considering different approaches and alternative methods for programme design, management, problem identification and problem resolution.
• Organize, participate as a resource person, and represent the programme in national level consultative meetings, seminars and training workshops. Serve as a focal point for selected technical subjects and prepare speeches, make presentations and address meetings at the national and regional level on behalf of the programme.
• Provide inputs to and draft portions of terms of reference, policy briefs, research, tools, guidelines and other materials developed by the programme. Prepare background information, periodical reports, subject matter related technical reports and statistical data on status of programme activities and relevant developments in the country.
• Monitor progress of programme activities with implementing partners by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Identify problems, propose solutions and action and follow-up with implementing partners to expedite implementation and meet targets. Follow-up on delays, clarify information and data provided, and act as the primary focal point for partners’ enquiries about clearance and processing requirements. Assist in the development and maintenance of information systems for use in monitoring and reporting on activities and performance.
• Ensure adherence to the ILO rules and regulations for financial and administrative matters and ensure timely fulfilment of all obligations and delivery of expected results of the programme activities in the country.
• Assist in the programming and control of resources from all sources of funds, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analyzing and monitoring resources as compared to planned activities, anticipate delays and make recommendations to programme management for remedial action.
• Brief ILO specialists, programme staff and consultants, and visiting officials, academics, UN and NGO partners and provide relevant information on programme-related matters. Provide interpretation to other ILO staff and consultants where appropriate.
• Undertake missions to programme sites independently or accompanying other officials, to provide guidance and coaching to partners on implementing the programme and reporting requirements, and to identify challenges and propose solutions to resolve them. Specific coaching on M&E and gender is expected.
• Establish and maintain close and positive links with the relevant national and local stakeholders, such as national and local authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector actors and the media that are active in the area of migration, human rights, labour rights, fundamental principles and rights at work, women’s empowerment and trafficking.

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• Ensure visibility of the programme and its donor by using the relevant identifiers on all materials and publications, and at workshops and events. Maintain relations with the donor at the national level, in line with guidance provided by programme management.
• Identify and document good practices, lessons learned and relevant experiences that may be shared with other countries covered by the programme, or at the regional or global level. These experiences may also be used in the development of sub-regional / regional activities and tools.
• Draft, edit in, or translate into local language(s) key news releases, media statements, communication materials, official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information material to communicate programme activities.
• Maintain regular communication with the ILO Representative, NPO, and other projects’ National Project Coordinators (NPCs) in the ILO KL Office. Follow-up on activities and requests for information with other NPCs and regional programme staff, as well as relevant specialists in the Decent Work Technical Team and in headquarters.
• Supervise the work of the programme’s Finance and Administrative Assistant and national consultants.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the technical or administrative supervisors that are related to the goals of the programme.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, social sciences, law or related field.

Experience

At least three years of experience in project management, supervision, administration and implementation of grant/cooperative agreement requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to the programme donor). Experience from implementing projects and activities with ILO constituents, private sector and NGOs in Malaysia would be an asset as would experience in the areas of gender equality, social protection, labour migration statistics, and skills recognition. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and/or education would be an advantage.

Technical requirements: Strong knowledge on development issues more broadly and labour migration in Malaysia more specifically are required. Knowledge of the policy and law making processes.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of the working language of the duty station and a good knowledge of English.

Competencies

- Good knowledge about social and economic development, including labour and employment trends in the country
- Ability to maintain good working relationships with all programme stakeholders.
- Ability to establish and maintain systems within programme operations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation programmes of international organizations.
- Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
- Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
- Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
- Clear commitment to mainstream gender into programme activities.
- Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
- Ability to train and guide personnel.
- Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in diversified environments.
- Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
- Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.