Economist

The position is located in the Research Department of the ILO, which conducts research on labour and employment issues to contribute to policy formulation for ILO constituents at the global level.

The main purpose of the Department is to assess major trends, including new technologies, demographic change, the scarcity of natural resources, the evolving role of finance and emerging patterns in development and globalisation in relation to their socio-economic impact. Core research issues also include the assessment of “what works”, in terms of decent work outcomes. The Research Department produces flagship publications such as the annual World Employment and Social Outlook and the Trends, as well as studies that examine the inter-linkages between economic growth and social equity. 

The position is responsible for contributing to the empirical analysis of employment, environmental and social trends. This will involve assisting in the design of tailored-made research strategies on selected topics, adapting existing methodologies and techniques to new or unprecedented applications, analysing data by way of state-of-the-art econometric techniques and presenting findings and conclusions to inform policy recommendations.

The position will report to the Head of the Work, Incomes and Equity Unit.

1. Collect and organise data on labour markets, and/or supervise collection and analysis undertaken by external collaborators or more junior staff, including cleaning and overseeing quality assurance. Carry out econometric and statistical analyses related to the assessment of labour market dynamics and to the estimation and forecasting of labour market variables, including building complex panel databases, carrying out macro-econometric analysis and adapting existing methodologies and techniques to new or unprecedented applications.
2. Estimate the labour market impact of achieving environmental sustainability, including building scenarios to compute employment projections such as through input/output data and estimated calculations of environmental sustainability variables. Undertake analysis of the policies to ensure a just transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
3. Compile indicators and conduct statistical and econometric analysis on the basis of microdata from household and establishment surveys in order to provide inputs to statistical and analytical products of the Department.
4. Conduct research work, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods, for the analysis of major trends and the impact of labour market and social policies on labour market and social outcomes.
5. Prepare analytical reports and chapters of ILO flagship reports, notably the World Employment and Social Outlook - Trends, as well as the Studies on Growth with Equity series that present evidence to ILO constituents in a policy-oriented, non-technical manner, for both internal audiences and international fora such as the ILO Governing Body and ILO regional meetings.
6. Conduct labour market statistical analysis for publication in ILO reports, flagship reports of the Research department, and other special reports, including reporting to the G20.
7. Provide input to the formulation of policy advice for ILO constituents based on econometric and statistical analysis related to the assessment of labour market and social policies and their impact on labour market outcomes and dynamics. 
8. Collaborate with research centres, other international organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank, to exchange information and provide technical inputs to related joint policy-oriented research projects.
9. Provide support to resource mobilization for development cooperation projects covering thematic research at the regional or global level, taking into account ILO's constituents views, through the consultation with ILO’s concerned programmes at headquarters and the field.
10. Contribute to the preparation and delivery of presentations on key policy conclusions and recommendations of the research carried out in the Department and participate in meetings.
11. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

1. Undertake research and prepare analytical reports on selected subjects within the area of technical competence.
2. Assess country experience (on selected topics) with a view to identifying best practices in finding solutions to problems identified.
3. Provide technical inputs (articles, reports) for regional, country or related sectoral analyses, ILO reports and publications.
4. Provide technical backstopping, project implementation and monitoring.
5. Undertake missions for the purpose of providing technical recommendations on selected topics following ILO established guidelines, manuals and standards.
6. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by external collaborators.
7. Act as focal point on a specific field of specialization.
8. Participate in training seminars and workshops as resource person.
9. Represent the technical unit at international, regional and national fora.

Advanced university degree in the field of economics or social sciences.

Three years’ experience at the national level and two years at the international level. Experience in undertaking research on environmental issues including handling complex datasets and macro-econometric techniques.

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

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Technical

Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and multi-disciplinary teams; capacity to provide first-line technical advice in the area of specialisation; the ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialised technical field; capability to guide and co-ordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff or young professionals; ability to prepare reports and publications of a high quality, technically sound with conclusions leading to an action plan and programme development and ability to provide credible implementation assistance to senior specialists in carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.

Behavioural
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.