Technical Specialist on Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Markets

Job Posting Organization:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote social justice and fair labor practices. Established in 1919, the ILO has a mission to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The organization operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce of around 3,500 employees. The ILO is committed to promoting gender equality and diversity within its workforce and actively encourages applications from women and individuals with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The position is situated within the Inclusive Markets and Entrepreneurship team of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Branch of the Enterprise Department at the ILO. The primary focus of this role is to lead the technical support and coordination of various programs and initiatives that utilize the ILO's Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) to foster job creation for refugees and vulnerable communities. The AIMS approach, developed in 2014, is now implemented in over 20 countries, aiming to create decent jobs and promote economic inclusion in fragile and forced displacement contexts. The incumbent will oversee the implementation of a global program funded by ADA, which includes interventions in Kenya and Lebanon, and will also support initiatives in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Jordan. This role requires a strong emphasis on knowledge generation, management, and the development of training materials, as well as collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of projects that align with the ILO's mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will assist Programme Managers, Chief Technical Advisors (CTAs), and National Coordinators in the implementation of projects such as the Manzouma project in Jordan and the SOLEIL project in the Sahel region. Key responsibilities include providing global knowledge management support, conducting gender- and conflict-sensitive research, and integrating technical inputs for regional and country analyses. The role involves developing training materials, conducting seminars and workshops, and maintaining close liaison with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, and UN/non-governmental organizations. The incumbent will also draft proposals for funding, promote ILO policies, and provide technical support to stakeholders regarding market-led approaches in fragile contexts. Additionally, the role requires undertaking action-oriented research on emerging trends related to the humanitarian-development nexus and entrepreneurship ecosystems, as well as undertaking missions related to project implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in economics, business, public administration, social science, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in small enterprise development and economic inclusion. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in a relevant field, combined with two additional years of relevant experience, will be accepted. The position requires at least five years of relevant professional experience in market system development or private sector development, with a minimum of two years at the international level. Experience in project implementation is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in economics, business, public administration, social science, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned fields, along with two additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in market system development and/or private sector development, with at least two years of this experience at the international level. Concrete experience in project implementation is advantageous and will be viewed favorably during the selection process.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of English and another ILO language (French and/or Spanish), including strong drafting skills. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. The recruitment process is open to both internal and external candidates, and the ILO values diversity and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination to confirm their fitness for the role. The ILO has a zero-tolerance policy for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse and conducts background verification of candidates to ensure a safe working environment.