Labour-based Engineer - EIIP

Introduction

The position is located in the Job Creation through Public Investment Unit (JCPI) in the Employment in Investments Branch (EMPINVEST) within the Employment Policies, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department. The main role of the unit is to lead and coordinate activities under the Employment Intensive Investment programme (EIIP) and to influence investment policy in different sectors to maximize employment impact. The EIIP supports ILO Member States in the design, formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes aiming to address unemployment and underemployment through local resource-based public investment, typically in infrastructure development.

The unit reinforces and builds institutional and operational capacity to provide productive and decent work that has an economic, environmental and social impact. It also supports the implementation of the EIIP’s development cooperation programmes.
 

The main role of the position is promote labour-based technology in EIIP’s work including in development cooperation programmes, support the technical engineering aspects, quality control, promote the EIIP tools with constituents of the ILO and provide relevant technical support and advice to partners, EIIP specialists and project teams in the field.
 

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Head of the JCPI Unit in EMPINVEST. 
 

The Specialist works in collaboration with the other technical specialists at ILO headquarters and in the Decent Work Technical Support Teams in the field in particular the EIIP specialists, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.    As primary specialist in the area(s) of Employment Intensive Investments, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities for promoting and designing labour-based policies and programmes, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at global, regional and 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 in the area of Employment Intensive Investments 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 global initiatives and country activities in alignment with the Regional EIIP specialists 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 world of work / employment intensive investment area 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/in the area of employment intensive investments. 
6.    Develop and lead/coordinate the development of employment intensive policies and appropriate technologies, initiatives, research, 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.

optional section (only if needed)

8.    Support the strengthening of ILO constituents' capacity to design and implement policies, measures   in the area of employment intensive investments. 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
9.    Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships in the employment intensive investments and related areas and develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners, entities of the UN system, other international organizations, regional and national actors,  private institutions, multilateral development banks and international financial institutions, research institutions, civil society and 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 and influencing policy and financing decisions in support of decent work objectives and in particular in the field of employment intensive investments.
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 and national  levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of employment intensive investments. 
11.    Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account regional, subregional and national priorities on employment intensive investments 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 intensive investments. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in civil engineering or other relevant  field.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the afore-mentioned field 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 in practical application of employment-intensive approaches and technologies, including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent command of French and a working knowledge of a second working language (English, Spanish) of the Organization. 

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 intensive investments 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.