Senior Specialist, Employers Activities

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 standards globally. 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 that includes professionals from various fields, working together to achieve its goals. The ILO values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, disability, or background.

Job Overview:
The Senior Specialist, Employers Activities position is situated within the Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP) of the ILO, which plays a crucial role in managing the relationship between the ILO and Employer, Business and Membership Organizations (EBMOs). The incumbent will be responsible for managing technical activities that focus on high-level technical and policy advisory services, as well as advocating for new strategies and programs within the area of specialization. This role requires a high level of autonomy and the ability to make authoritative technical decisions independently. The Senior Specialist will act as a liaison between the ILO, EBMOs, and the employer community, ensuring that the views and priorities of employers are understood and reflected in ILO policies and programs. The position also involves developing and maintaining productive working relationships with EBMOs to help them meet the needs of enterprises effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, manage, and coordinate the entire program of work with each EBMO, conducting needs assessments and developing work plans that respond to their needs.
• Lead the design and implementation of programs and policies to enhance the ILO's technical leadership in the area of employers' activities.
• Provide thought leadership and coordinate cross-organizational initiatives to ensure policy coherence.
• Review and strengthen institutional frameworks and provide authoritative policy advice to improve EBMOs' effectiveness.
• Support EBMOs in identifying their needs and provide technical support for policy design and implementation.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs).
• Conduct innovative research and develop technical knowledge products.
• Lead the development of reports and publications for various ILO meetings.
• Strengthen EBMOs' capacity to develop policy proposals for sustainable enterprises. 1
• Formulate approaches for development cooperation activities and manage stakeholder engagement. 1
• Identify opportunities for partnerships to advance the Decent Work Agenda. 1
• Represent the ILO at international meetings and advocate for the Decent Work Agenda. 1
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, business administration, law, industrial relations, social sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of these fields, combined with two additional years of relevant experience, will also be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates should have excellent knowledge of EBMOs and their operations, as well as the ability to lead and oversee the development and implementation of labor-related programs and policies.

Educational Background:
An advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field such as economics, business administration, law, industrial relations, or social sciences is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with additional relevant experience may be accepted.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least ten years of experience, including international experience, working in employers’ organizations or comparable roles in development cooperation management. Practical experience in institutional capacity building of EBMOs at a senior level is essential.

Languages:
Excellent command of English is mandatory, along with a working knowledge of French. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract and is subject to the availability of funding. The recruitment process will include an online application form, and candidates should be prepared for potential written tests and interviews. The ILO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusivity in its hiring practices.