Senior Economist

Introduction

The position is located in the Research Department (RESEARCH) of the ILO, which conducts research on labour and employment issues to contribute to policy formulation for ILO’s 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, and the evolving role of finance and emerging patterns in development and globalization in relation to their socio-economic impact. Core research issues also include the assessment of “what works”, in terms of labour market policies on decent work outcomes. 

The Research Department produces a number of high-profile reports which include the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) and the WESO Trends and is responsible for the ILO’s peer-reviewed journal, the International Labour Review. It carries out research that examines the inter-linkages between economic growth, the broad trends outlined above and social equity. RESEARCH publishes widely in different formats, including ILO major reports, research briefings, academic journal papers, working papers, collaborative reports with academics and other policy organizations and is present in social media.

The position will be responsible for building a new research agenda in the Department in the area of labour standards application and compliance and related investments in the capacity of the institutions of work. An important initial focus will be leading preparation of the 2023 WESO thematic report, which will focus on critical workers and sectors and the relevant policies and conditions that affect an economy’s resilience to shocks. The Senior Economist will be responsible for leading the ad hoc research teams on labour institutions capacity.

The position will report to the Department Director.

Specific Duties

1.Plan and lead a technical team responsible for carrying out a new research agenda in the area of labour standards application and compliance and related investments in the capacity of the institutions of work. Support preparation of related major reports issued by the Department, including leading and coordinating the preparation of the 2023 WESO thematic report on critical workers and sectors and the policies and conditions that bear upon an economy’s resilience to shocks. 
2.Lead, design and promote large multi-stakeholder research programmes, involving the use of sophisticated data and methodologies, implemented to extend the knowledge on particular economic and development subjects, including with respect to gender-related topics.
3.Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of labour market policies and labour institutions capacity with a view to formulating evidence-based policy advice that is relevant and applicable for developing and emerging countries in relation to the improvement of national policies.
4.Develop evidenced-based policy advice for ILO’s constituents on what works in terms of labour market policies and labour institutions programmes and practices and provide guidance on how to strengthen them to ensure positive effects for countries. 
5.Initiate, supervise and conduct high-level research on frontier issues, through academic and policy-oriented publications, in collaboration with other relevant expert teams of the ILO and contribute to the dissemination of these policy-oriented research findings through presentations at international, regional and national fora, to the international community of experts, policy makers and academics. 
6.Represent the Office in tripartite and international meetings and conferences.
7.Perform other relevant duties, as required.

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

Generic Duties

1. Lead, organize, plan, supervise and control the work of a technical unit (including managerial functions).
2. Design and promote a wide range of special subject-matter-related programmes, This involves analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics, information or policy guidelines in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognized technical specialization. 
3. Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes.
4. Assume full responsibility for policy formulation and providing policy advice to ILO’s constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of development cooperation activities.
5. Develop project design, review proposals, formulate, revise and submit project proposals and negotiate funding.
6. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.
7. Lead technical advisory missions.
8. Conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings.
9. Prepare recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO recommendations on related technical fields.
10. Write manuals and training guides on related topics.
11. Disseminate information on action programmes through publications and press releases as well as ensuring representation at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.
12. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by junior technical officers and external collaborators.
13. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, conference reports, Director General’s report to ILC).

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in Labour Economics and/or Econometrics with demonstrated expertise in the field.

Experience

Ten to fifteen years’ experience working on Labour Economics issues, of which at least seven years at the international level. Specific research experience related to developing and emerging countries as well as publications in peer-reviewed journals will be considered an advantage.
 

Languages

Excellent command of one official language (English, French, Spanish) of the Organization and a working knowledge of a second official language. One of these must be English. Knowledge of the third official language of the Organization will be considered an advantage. 

Competencies

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

Technical competencies
Demonstrated knowledge on handling of large micro-datasets and using micro-econometric techniques and the management of multi-stakeholder projects that necessitate these complex datasets and techniques.
Demonstrated and recognized technical and/or managerial leadership in carrying out the objectives and policies of the related work unit; demonstrated technical expertise to devise new methods, concepts, approaches and techniques, leading to development of ILO standards and technical guidelines; ability to prepare ILO strategy reports in the related field for programme development; ability to provide policy advice; ability to manage large projects and coordinate activities among projects.

    
Behavioural competencies
Effective writing, speaking and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.