Senior Specialist, Environment and Decent Work

Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (DWT/CO-Bangkok). DWTs provide high-quality, timely, and integrated technical support to the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and to Country Offices in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as regional and sub-regional initiatives in response to their requests within the framework of outcome-based workplans and other relevant collaborative frameworks. 

The conclusions and resolution adopted by the 2023 International Labour Conference’s general discussion on A just transition, including consideration of industrial policies and technology, towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all and follow-up Governing Body decision of November 2023 provide the framework for ILO’s work on just transition. The Strategy and Action Plan for a just transition adopted by the ILO Governing Body in November 2023 define the priorities of the Organization to achieve effective coordination and integration of its policies and activities, guided by social dialogue and international labour standards, to enable the Office to provide more comprehensive and effective assistance to constituents at country level.  The strategy and action plan promote the implementation of the ILO’s Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All.

The Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all formulated through a tripartite consensus among representatives of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations provide a policy framework and a practical tool to guide the transformation to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies taking into account the social and employment-related dimensions. An important aspect of the ILO’s work is to support ILO constituents with developing a full understanding of the nature and scale of changes that could take place in labour markets, as a consequence of climate and environmental change, and the policy responses that countries take. 

The position reports to the Director of DWT/CO-Bangkok and receives technical guidance and advice from the Director of the Priority Action Programme on just transitions at ILO headquarters. The adoption of an integrated approach requires close coordination with other specialists in the Region and in headquarters technical units.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.     Lead work on just transitions towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies in Asia and the Pacific region and ensure the effective management of all financial, human and other resources 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. 
2.    Lead the design, development, implementation, monitoring and promotion of related programmes, strategies, approaches and policies with a view to enhancing and positioning the Organization’s technical leadership in the area of just transitions. Lead, manage and coordinate high-level advocacy and technical and policy advisory services at the regional, subregional, national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, fostering 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.
3.    Provide thought leadership in the field of just transitions, paying attention to issues of importance to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders, including through the continuous strategic positioning of the Organization and its mandate within the United Nations system. Act as a catalyst in formulating policies on critical issues related to the promotion of decent work and just transitions across ILO’s strategic objectives and build bridges and synergies between strategic policy areas. Coordinate cross-organizational initiatives to ensure integration and policy coherence to advance broad programme development. 
4.    Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks.  Provide authoritative policy and technical advice in the area of just transitions 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.
5.    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 country programmes and projects.
6.    Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Build and stimulate multidisciplinary initiatives with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda in relation to just transitions.

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7.    Provide stewardship, design and conduct/coordinate innovative and gender-mainstreamed research, including on frontier/emerging issues, that meets the evolving needs of ILO constituents and other key stakeholders and positions the ILO at the forefront of research on just transitions.   
8.    Develop and lead/coordinate the development of just transition 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 regional level. 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 in the area of just transitions.
9.    Lead the development, review and quality control of major reports, publications, documents and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.
10.    Support the strengthening of ILO constituents' capacity to design and implement policies and measures in the area of just transitions, taking into account the need for policy coherence and an integrated approach to decent work. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead/coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement 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.
11.    Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships and broker collaborative relationships to benefit the broad areas of the Decent Work Agenda and just transitions with traditional and non-traditional partners, entities of the UN system, other international organizations,  regional and national actors, private institutions, multilateral development banks,  international financial institutions, research institutions, academia, civil society, other key stakeholders with a view to mobilize resources, advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence, joint programme design and implementation, promoting awareness of ILO’s values and strategic objectives.
12.    Convene and represent the ILO at major regional 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. As the ILO’s technical representative, play a key role in promoting and advocating the ILO’s approach to decent work and just transitions.   
13.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, law, social sciences, political science, sustainable development and/or environmental studies with a clear social development focus 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 ten years of experience, including at the international level, in the areas of environmental sustainability, climate change, just transition in relation to decent work.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of a second working language (French, Spanish) 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, concepts and approaches in the area(s) of just transition with the ability to lead and oversee their development and implementation suited to evolving needs and priorities. Detailed and comprehensive expertise in the area of just transitions to serve as the reference expert for the region. 
Excellent knowledge of the full range of policy areas and advanced understanding of the ILO’s mandate. Ability to maintain a comprehensive wealth of knowledge of related external issues.
Technical leadership 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.
Excellent drafting skills. 
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to build and negotiate 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 represent the Organization with authority and credibility and position it as a leader in the field of just transitions.

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