Employment Specialist

Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa and Country Office for South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini (DWT/CO Pretoria) in Pretoria. DWTs provide high quality, timely and integrated support to country and area offices in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) in response to their requests within the framework of outcome-based work plans. This support includes technical and policy advice, information and analyses.
The main role of the position is [to provide high-level policy advice and technical assistance to influence national, sub-regional and at times regional policies and programmes aiming at ensuring that decent jobs are created in tackling employment challenges in the region, with particular reference to youth and women.
The position will establish objectives, strategies and programmes for the sub region and countries covered and develop and technically backstop programmes and projects with employment and labour market related components. Upon request by the Regional Office for Africa as well as the Employment Policy Department (EMPLAB branch) the position may also contribute to or lead similar processes at regional level. The specialist will mainstream employment and labour markets in national policies, development frameworks, United Nations Sustainable Development Corporation Frameworks (UNSDCF) and Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP) in the countries covered by the DWT Pretoria.
Furthermore, the position will promote key employment issues, particularly with a focus on youth, in line with the Agenda 2030 and 2063, the Abidjan Declaration and its Implementation Plan, the AU-ILO Joint Operational Plan, as well as the Global Call to Action for a Human-Centred Recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the follow-up plan of action on youth employment for the period 2020–30.
The incumbent works under direct supervision of the DWT/CO Pretoria Director and receives technical guidance and advice from the Chief of the Employment, Labour Markets and Youth Branch, Employment Policy Department (EMPLAB) in headquarters. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with other specialists in the DWT Pretoria and with country/area offices across the region and the geographical responsibility of the DWT Pretoria. The specialist will also work closely with regional members of the Employment Global Technical Team (GTT) to promote a harmonised approach towards (youth) employment promotion and achieving excellent decent work results. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.    As primary specialist in the area(s) of employment promotion, with a focus on youth, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities for the coordination and implementation of a regional strategy on youth employment, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at regional/subregional/national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, taking into account the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and ensure the effective management of staff and consultants in accordance with ILO standards, the results-based management framework and through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and other feedback mechanisms, as applicable.
2.    Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide expert policy and technical advice on employment and labour market related strategies and programmes to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.
3.    Support ILO constituents in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of employers’ and workers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects. 
4.    Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Participate in multidisciplinary initiatives / efforts / developments / plans / reviews / activities with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.
5.    Initiate, design, conduct/commission and/or coordinate innovative and gender-mainstreamed research and analysis that meets the evolving needs of constituents and other key stakeholders in the employment and youth employment area and leads to the formulation of policy advice / recommendations / policy and technical guidelines / and the development of new and enhancement of existing methodologies and concepts related to the creation of sustainable decent jobs.

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6.    Develop and lead/coordinate the development of country level, bilateral or multilateral development cooperation projects policies, initiatives, strategies and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents’ needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the global / regional / and country levels and provide advice and technical support to constituents and other stakeholders on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.
7.    Provide technical inputs to, oversee the drafting of/draft, peer review and edit reports, publications and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.
8.    Support the strengthening of ILO constituents' capacity to design and implement policies and measures / monitor the impact of policies and measures / refine and improve policies and measures as required in the area of employment creation and youth employment. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead and/or coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable

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9.    Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships in the implementation of employment policies and youth employment and related areas and develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with entities of the UN system / other international organizations / regional and national actors / multilateral development banks / international financial institutions / research institutions / academia, civil society / other key stakeholders  with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence / joint programme design and implementation / promoting awareness of ILO’s values and strategic objectives / resource mobilization / influencing policy and financing decisions in support of decent work objectives.
10.    Organize, facilitate and make technical contributions at seminars, conferences and other events. Represent and engage the ILO as a key player in meetings, conferences and forums at the international / regional / subregional / national / subnational levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of employment creation and youth employment. 
11.    Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account regional / subregional / national priorities on employment creation and youth employment and the need to position these within relevant cooperation frameworks. Provide technical backstopping for development cooperation projects and promote and facilitate coherence and knowledge sharing among projects. 
12.    Play a key role in resource mobilization efforts to secure funding for new projects and activities in the field of employment policies for creation sustainable decent jobs, youth employment and broader economic issues. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, social sciences or other relevant field. 
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 seven years of experience, including at the international level, in the analysis, design and implementation of employment and related policies and strategies. Experience in the use of quantitative methods and in the design and management of international projects on employment issues would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English. A working knowledge of a second working language (French, Spanish) of the Organization or Portuguese would be an advantage.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following are required:

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of Employment Promotion, Employment Policies, and Labour Economics with the ability to plan, coordinate and guide the development and implementation of new concepts policies, techniques and procedures in response to evolving technical needs.

Good knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities and ability to address broader issues outside the field of specialization.

Ability to lead and manage individual and group assignments and to supervise those undertaking the work.

Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance on latest policy developments in the technical area.

Excellent research and analytical skills.

Excellent drafting skills.

Excellent communication skills, excellent presentation skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills. Ability to adapt communication style to diverse audiences.

Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.

Ability to network and build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and to create and promote synergies across the Organization and with external stakeholders.

Ability to represent the Organization and present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO's position on it to partners with a view to gaining their support to advance the desired course of action.

Ability to mobilize resources.

Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.