Senior specialist, Equality and economic inclusion

Introduction

The position is located in the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) within the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY). GEDI is responsible for promoting gender-equality and non-discrimination, and respect for inclusion and diversity in the world of work. GEDI addresses gender equality and non-discrimination from a holistic perspective, with a view to supporting laws, policies and institutions that address effectively discrimination at work on a range of grounds, including multiple and intersecting discrimination. GEDI is responsible for leading office-wide efforts to implement transformational agendas for gender equality and equality, diversity and inclusion, as provided for in the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, 2019 (Centenary Declaration) and the Global call to action for a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient (Global call to action). Based on international labour standards, and ILO principles and values, it promotes gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities, people living with HIV, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, racialized people and LGBTI+ workers. Preventing and addressing violence and harassment as a serious manifestation of discrimination and supporting the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, as acknowledged in the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), is also a key focus. As a Cosponsor of UNAIDS, and under the UNAIDS Division of Labour, ILO is the lead agency on HIV workplace policies and programmes and is represented through the Branch. The Branch leads the ILO Global Gender Network and leads on the Disability Inclusion Strategy within the ILO. The Branch also supports the Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN) and the Equal Pay international Coalition (EPIC). In addition, the Branch represents the Office before UN fora such as the Commission on the Status of Women and the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues, and leads the Intersectionality Pillar of the UN Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. 

Economic and social inclusion and empowerment are a prerequisite for a transformative agenda on equality, diversity and inclusion. The position will be responsible for leading the work of the Branch on the economic and social aspects of equality and non-discrimination, with a particular focus on the role of industrial, employment, macroeconomic, active labour market policies and other relevant policies and interventions in advancing a transformative and gender-responsive agenda for equality, diversity and inclusion. This work will be key to addressing the widening inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and building greater workers’ resilience, including in the face of future pandemics. 

The position will lead the work of the Branch on HIV and AIDS including providing substantive and policy content of inter-agency cooperation within the UN system. The Senior Specialist, Equality and Economic Inclusion, will work with all technical areas of the Branch and the Department, reinforcing an integrated and intersectional approach to equality and non-discrimination. The position will report to the Branch Chief, GEDI. 

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Specific Duties

1.Develop, lead and operationalize, in collaboration with the other technical units of the Branch and within and outside the Department and in the field, the transformative agenda for equality, diversity and inclusion in the labour market as set out in the Global call to action, which includes eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work and discrimination on all grounds, including race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction and social origin. It also requires taking into account the specific circumstances and vulnerabilities of migrants, indigenous and tribal peoples, people of African descent, ethnic minorities, older persons, persons with disabilities and persons living with HIV/AIDS, with a focus on the social and economic inclusion and empowerment of disadvantaged groups, embedded in a rights-based approach. 
2.Plan, lead and supervise the work of the technical unit overseeing the work on HIV and AIDS at headquarters and in the field, promoting staff development, collaboration and well-being.  Ensure that staff optimize the use of resources for the achievement of results and that they are held accountable for their performance, including through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and feedback mechanisms.
3.Contribute to the preparation and implementation of relevant Programme and Budget activities, establishing and monitoring the work plans, and ensuring timely delivery and quality results within agreed budget allocations.
4.Coordinate advice and inputs on economic and social inclusion and empowerment strategies, in collaboration with the other thematic areas of the Branch and the Department, particularly regarding opportunities and outcomes for women, ethnic minorities, racialized and indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV and LGBTI workers, using an intersectional analysis; and collaborating closely with colleagues responsible for  the legal issues concerning equality and non-discrimination within the Branch. 
5.Assess needs and provide advice to ILO constituents, in collaboration with relevant departments at headquarters and field offices, on social and economic policies and interventions aimed at improving the inclusion of disadvantaged groups into labour markets, including through advancing their organization and representation and promoting the role of social dialogue, and through the removal of discriminatory laws and practices.
6.Design and deliver specialized capacity-building, with the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin (Italy)where appropriate, for governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, aimed at promoting equality through social and economic inclusion and empowerment. Design and prepare, or supervise preparation of, easily accessible documents, such as policy briefs, tools and other resource materials on the topic, for ILO constituents and other stakeholders.
7.Mobilize resources for, provide technical support and backstopping, and substantively coordinate the work and outputs of development cooperation projects/programmes on the social and economic inclusion and empowerment of disadvantaged groups.
8.Engage the ILO as an active and visible partner in the UN on equality and non- discrimination, in particular in the context of UNAIDS,  and promote international labour standards and ILO’s strategies and priorities within the UN system, including through inter-agency and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
9.Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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

optional section (only if needed)

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 economics, law, public policy, social sciences or another relevant field.

Experience

Ten to fifteen years’ experience of which at least seven years at the international level in the area of equality and non-discrimination, and a proven track record of relevant publications.

    

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 languages must be English. 

Competencies

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

Technical competencies

Demonstrated and recognized technical expertise in advancing equality and non-discrimination and promoting diversity and inclusion, including by devising new methods, concepts, approaches and techniques; proven record in providing policy advice; demonstrated technical expertise to conduct research and develop research networks; an ability to prepare strategic reports in the related field for programme development, and the ability to develop and manage large projects. Ability to analyze gender issues and promote gender and culturally-sensitive policy advice and technical assistance; ability to address politically sensitive issues; demonstrated advanced communication and drafting skills. 

    
Behavioural competencies
Ability to build internal and external networks, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve shared goals, and encourages cooperation. Accepts responsibility and accountability. Strong interpersonal skills, tact, discretion, confidentiality and diplomacy. 
The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.