Technical Officer on Cooperatives and SSE Development

Introduction

The position is located in the Cooperatives Unit (COOP) of the Sustainable Enterprises, Productivity and Just Transition Department (ENTERPRISES), which contributes to the overall ILO mission of creating decent work for all through the promotion of sustainable enterprises of all types and sizes. COOP is responsible for ILO activities on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE). 

The Unit serves ILO constituents using a three-pronged strategy: advancing the SSE, as an economically, socially and environmentally responsible and viable option; encouraging the integration of decent work and social justice in SSE entities; and ensuring that specificities of SSE entities are recognized in analysis, policy, and actions toward achieving decent work, and sustainable development. 

The 110th session of the ILC held a general discussion on decent work and the SSE, leading to the adoption of a resolution on the topic. In follow up, the Office developed a seven-year (2023-2029) Office-wide Strategy and Action Plan (SAP) on Decent Work and the SSE. The SAP was presented at and adopted by the 346th Governing Body. Its implementation is coordinated by the COOP Unit. 

COOP designs, implements, and supports development cooperation projects on cooperatives and the wider SSE through research, statistics, policy advocacy, institution strengthening and capacity building, partnerships, and communication. SSE entities are being integrated into ILO’s development cooperation work in areas such as child labour (e.g. ACCEL Africa), OSH, forced displacement (e.g. PROSPECTS), informal and care economies recognizing their role in advancing decent work.

Currently, COOP provides technical assistance and advisory services to development cooperation projects in Africa (e.g. Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Morocco, Sudan, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Cameroon), the Arab States (OPT, Jordan, Lebanon) and Asia and the Pacific (Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia) and centralized projects in HQ (care economy, SSE MOOC development with ITC TURIN). This work is carried out in close collaboration with the respective ILO field offices and bilateral and multilateral partners (WIPO, UNCTAD, ICA, CIRIEC, RIPESS, WIEGO, OECD, UNTFSSE, and COPAC). 

Toward that end, the incumbent will be based in Geneva within COOP to work closely with staff in the unit, other units in the Enterprises Department, field offices and HQ departments. S/he will backstop field activities and develop and move forward DC projects, and engagement with other departments and field offices with SSE components. 

Reporting lines: The incumbent will report directly to the Head of the Unit.

Description of Duties

1. Assist the Head of the Unit and other senior staff members of the Unit in the implementation and/or backstopping of projects related to cooperative development and/or the development of the wider SSE by providing technical inputs, planning, monitoring and evaluation of project activities.  Ensure conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and Office procedures and practices.
2. Provide technical advice and support to project staff and national partners in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities, in coordination with the ILO Field Offices and HQ.
3. Conduct research and integrate technical inputs for regional and country analyses, reports and publications related to the project and prepare discussion notes. 
4. Contribute to the development, testing, translation, adaptation and dissemination of practical tools (e.g. policy guidelines, toolkits, manuals, training packages including Think.COOP, Start.COOP, My.COOP, Manage.COOP, child labour and OSH tools for agricultural cooperatives, and social entrepreneurship for youth and care cooperatives) which meet the needs of ILO constituents and other stakeholders in the area of developing SSE entities.  
5. Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor, maintain close liaison with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, and UN/non-governmental organizations, to discuss matters and follow up on a broad range of country programmes and projects. Maintain working contacts and collaboration with multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and draft proposals for funding.
6. Co-ordinate, promote linkages, document and share good practices and lessons learnt with other relevant ILO projects/programs, ILO units and external stakeholders.
7. Promote ILO policies regarding the project/program, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards through coordination with a range of relevant national policies and the strategies of various projects, including those being undertaken by other agencies or in complementary fields of activity.
8. In close cooperation with ILO constituents and concerned programmes at headquarters and in the field, participate in resource mobilization efforts, developing concept notes and project documents to raise extra budgetary resources for development of cooperatives and the wider SSE. 
9. In collaboration with other technical departments, provide policy advice to ILO constituents on institutional strengthening and the design and implementation of SSE initiatives.
10. Contribute to building partnerships with other international organizations, support institutions, and the donor community.
11. Undertake missions in relation to project development and implementation.
12. Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public or Business Administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience, including three years at the international level. Demonstrated experience in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of development cooperation projects related to job creation and cooperative enterprise or SSE development.

Languages

Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, with knowledge of French and/or Spanish desirable.

Competencies

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation. 
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.