Introduction

The position is located in the Inclusive Labour Markets, Wages and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) within the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY). WORKQUALITY leads the ILO’s efforts to promote quality employment and equality for all in the world of work. The Department’s ambition is that all workers, women and men alike, benefit from decent working conditions, fair treatment and inclusive labour protection. To achieve this, WORKQUALITY supports the strengthening of labour market institutions and the effective implementation of inclusive policies that uphold workers’ rights and foster equal opportunities. The Department is composed of: the Inclusive Labour Markets, Wages and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) supporting fair wages, sound working conditions and inclusive labour markets policies; Labour Migration Branch (MIGRANT) promoting fair and rights-based labour migration governance and protection of migrant workers; as well as Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) advancing gender equality and inclusion of all workers.

INWORK provides technical assistance to constituents and expands the knowledge base on wages and labour incomes, working time, work organisation, contractual arrangements and employment protection, the transition to formality for workers in informal employment, the protection workers’ data and workers at risk of being excluded from labour protection, taking into account the needs of workers and their families as well as economic factors. INWORK also leads two transversal policy areas in the Office: decent work in the platform economy and decent work for domestic workers. To carry out its mandate, INWORK undertakes high quality research and, upon request, provides evidence-based policy advice which is responsive to national needs, priorities and resource.

The ILO Programme on Living Wages supports the new mandate of the ILO to implement the tripartite Conclusions on wage policies, including living wages, adopted by the ILO’s Governing Body at its 350th Session in March 2024. The Programme on Living Wages comprises two pillars. The first pillar concerns the estimation of the needs of workers and their families for the purpose of wage setting, including living wages, and the development of a global wage data hub which collects, analyses and disseminates wage-relevant data, including living wage estimates in line with ILO principles alongside metrics on economic factors to be considered in wage setting. The ILO provides technical assistance to constituents, upon request, on the ILO living wage estimation methodology. The second pillar concerns the operationalization of living wages, in line with ILO wage-setting principles, by strengthening wage-setting institutions, taking into account the needs of workers and their families and economic factors, by addressing the root causes and challenges of low pay and by promoting the alignment of living wage initiatives with the tripartite Conclusions, including through guidance materials and awareness raising. Specific activities in individual countries and regions will be developed in close consultation with ILO constituents through national and regional dialogue processes.

The Project Manager will report to the Senior Economist, Wage Specialist, who reports to the ILO responsible official, the Chief of INWORK Branch. The Senior Economist will approve work plans and budgets, monitor progress and activities, provide technical guidance to the Project Manager. The Project Manager will work in co-ordination with the Technical Specialist, liaise with regional wage specialists, oversee the work of administrative and other support staff of the Project, and of international or local consultant hired for the project.

Description of Duties

1.    Responsible for the effective implementation of the project. This includes the planning, monitoring and evaluation of project activities and other inputs towards expected project outcomes. Activities, outputs and outcomes must comply with ILO policies and project strategies and ILO programming guidelines as well as ILO Country/Action Programmes, as applicable. This includes the preparation of annual operational plans and all donor reports for the duration of the project, including the inception report and other narrative progress reports. It also includes identifying possible risks and challenges that could prevent the project objective from being reached and identifying alternative strategies to tackle these challenges.

2.    Responsible for the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the project. Specifically, prepare the budgets in conformity with ILO administrative and financial procedures, monitor budget delivery, prepare requests for the second, third and fourth donor instalment as per the payment schedule established in the signed project arrangements. This also includes ensuring the preparation of all financial reports to the donors, as per the schedule of the project agreements.

3.    Manage the human resources of the project efficiently, including recruitments and performance management of staff under the direct supervision of the Project manager, including the administrative assistant and the junior project officer. Prepare terms of references for external consultants and partners to implement global or regional activities in line with the project document and oversee the quality of their work.

4.    Provide technical advice and support to government institutions, social partners and other key partners, in coordination with the supervising Senior Economist, Wage Specialist, and the responsible Chief of INWORK, in collaboration with ILO Offices, including ILO Regional Wage Specialists.

5.    Strengthen working relationships with ILO constituents, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), project beneficiaries, donors and other groups relevant for the planning and implementation of the project. Organise and facilitate events for the exchange of experiences and information between ILO constituents and living wage initiatives at global, regional and country level, including conferences, roundtables and workshops, including through the Key Initiative on Living Wages of the Global Coalition for Social Justice.

6.    Liaise with other UN and technical cooperation counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO's interventions.

7.    Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards, in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

8.    Undertake resource mobilization activities with the multilateral and bilateral donor community for the development of future activities linked to the project, in coordination with the responsible Country Offices and PARTNERSHIPS. Maintain a regular exchange of information and a good relationship with the donor and its partners, and engage in resource mobilisation efforts with a view to expand the donor base of the Programme with a view to further transforming it into a multi-donor effort.

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9.    Write and disseminate project information materials, in collaboration with ILO Department of Communication and Public Information (DCOMM) and other relevant technical specialists at HQ. Oversee the development of a dissemination strategy for the project and its publications through the ILO website, a specific webpage dedicated to the project, a communication plan with DCOMM, and through possible forthcoming editions of the Global Wage Report. Participate in national, regional and/or global meetings, workshops, seminars or training activities to disseminate products and lessons learned from the project.

10.    Ensure the development of information databases covering project activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programmes. Carry out and/or commission research on the needs of workers and their families and economic factors for wage setting, and for contributing to a better understanding of living wages and living incomes. Contribute, in collaboration with other INWORK staff, to the development of integrated approaches and policies aimed at fostering the setting of adequate wages.

11.    Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

12.    Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics or another relevant field.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in economics or another relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant professional experience, including at the international level.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, including working experience with and/or at government institutions and/or social partners, would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of one working language of the Office (English, French or Spanish), and good working knowledge of another.

Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.

Competencies

- Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
- Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
- Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy and procedural matters, and to present them at high-level meetings.
- Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
- Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments and social partners, and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.
- Ability to plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
- Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
- Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.