Technical Officer, Youth Employment - P3

Across Africa, the labour force as a whole and the youth labour force in particular are growing rapidly and are expected to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This represents a clear opportunity for the expansion of decent work - the main avenue for reducing poverty while boosting productive and full employment. The promotion of decent work in the digital economy, including the ICT sector, will advance structural transformation in the continent while promoting productive employment for all.

Youth employment is among ILO’s top priorities for Africa. Following the ILO’s 14th African Regional Meeting (2019), governments and social partners adopted the Abidjan Declaration and committed to making decent work a reality for Africa’s youth through skills development and investments in technological pathways and productivity. Accordingly, ILO Africa presents the strongest growing youth employment portfolio across all ILO regions, linking neatly to the Office’s Programme and Budget (2020-2021) while leveraging the pillars of the ILC Resolution “The youth employment crisis: A call for action” (2012).

With increased evidence on the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth employment, along with the global renewed call for a digital transformation that can support recovery efforts, investing in youth employment in the digital economy is now more relevant than ever. In this context, the strategic partnership forged with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) under the UN Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth offers a tangible platform to advocate and advance concrete action for more and better jobs for youth. The joint programme Boosting Decent Jobs for Youth in Africa’s Digital Economy aims to leverage growing digital markets in five African countries for decent jobs for youth.

Reporting Line

In order to enhance and further accelerate ILO’s work on youth employment in Africa, the ILO Regional Office for Africa is recruiting a technical officer on youth employment. S/he will work under the overall responsibility and the direct supervision of the ILO’s Regional Director for Africa and will collaborate with the Youth Employment Accelerator (YOUTH) Group of the Employment Policy Department and other relevant technical units and departments at Geneva Headquarters, ITC-ILO and specialists in relevant Decent Work Teams (DWTs) and Country Offices (COs).

1. Undertake analysis of data, statistics and information on existing policies and programmes related to youth employment (and the digital economy) as well as relevant surveys (e.g. school to work transition and labour force surveys), in a manner requiring the advanced application of economic and statistical principles. .
2. Provide policy/technical advice concerning youth employment, including in the digital economy, to ILO constituents for institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of the ILO’s partnership with ITU and the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth. That may entail advisory missions carried out independently or in collaboration with other specialists.
3. Collect and compile information on youth employment trends, good practices and lessons learned and contribute to relevant publications, working papers and reports.
4. Contribute to the organisation and initiatives for knowledge-sharing and other events on youth employment in the digital economy, including in relation to the Decent Jobs for Youth Knowledge Facility. Support the maintenance and further development of the Africa Community of Practice on youth employment.
5. Provide technical backstopping to relevant youth employment projects in Africa, in consultation with other specialists in the region and at headquarters.
6. In consultation with relevant units and field offices, formulate and appraise project proposals under the umbrella of the partnership with the ITU and beyond. Identify potential donors, undertake donor negotiations, and follow-up on the preparation of project agreements with donors upon approval.
7. Contribute to Programme and Budget programming and reporting activities pertinent to Indicator 3.2.5 on labour market transitions and 3.2.1 on employment policies, as appropriate.
8. Promote stronger linkages between youth employment work and the digital economy (including the ICT sector) in the context of Decent Work Country Programmes.
9. Contribute to seminars, workshops and technical meetings and training courses. Participate in the preparation of manuals and/or training material on relevant topics.
10. Acting as ILO regional focal point on youth employment in the digital economy, promote and support effective collaboration and partnership with ITU and other prospective partners and contributors to the joint programme, including partners of the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth.
11. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
     

First level university degree in economics or related social sciences with demonstrated expertise in the technical field.

At least five years’ experience at the national level or three years at the international level in the technical field. Experience in design and management of development cooperation programmes an asset. Technical experience in at least two of the following four fields would be an advantage: employment creation, entrepreneurship, education and training, and gender equality.
 

Excellent command of English and/or French, with a minimum understanding of both.

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

Knowledge of Office’s financial rules and regulations; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to clarify information; ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team; ability to deal with people with diplomacy; good knowledge of the role and operations of UN system activities for development; good knowledge of project formulation, administration and evaluation
techniques and practices; ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for the formulation, administration and evaluation of projects; ability to negotiate persuasively with donor representatives; ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution; proven ability to draft well project documents and other relevant reports; excellent analytical skills.


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