Specialist in Skills and Lifelong Learning

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Specialist in Skills and Lifelong Learning
Location: Montevideo
Country: Uruguay
Deadline Date: 16 December 2024

Job Details

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 committed to improving labor standards and working conditions globally. The ILO values diversity and inclusivity among its staff and actively encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The position is located within the Inter-American Centre for Knowledge in Vocational Training (ILO/CINTERFOR), which is a technical service of the ILO. The mission of ILO/CINTERFOR is to foster a continuous learning community and promote horizontal cooperation among national organizations responsible for vocational training. The incumbent will work closely with member institutions to support the development of skills and lifelong learning policies, programs, and research that contribute to socioeconomic development and social justice. The role involves providing technical assistance to countries, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring the effective implementation of inclusive policies and programs. The Specialist will also be responsible for leading research initiatives, developing policy recommendations, and coordinating capacity development programs to enhance the skills and employability of individuals in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary specialist in skills and lifelong learning, managing substantial segments of the work program and identifying priorities for skills development.
• Provide expert policy and technical advice to ILO constituents and stakeholders to promote inclusive and gender-responsive policies.
• Support ILO constituents in identifying their needs and facilitate the participation of employers' and workers' organizations in policy design and evaluation.
• Contribute technical inputs to Decent Work Country Programmes and participate in multidisciplinary initiatives.
• Conduct and coordinate innovative research and analysis in lifelong learning, leading to policy recommendations.
• Develop and disseminate evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products.
• Draft and peer review reports and publications for various ILO meetings and conferences.
• Strengthen the capacity of ILO constituents to implement policies and monitor their impact.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships in lifelong learning and develop collaborative relationships with stakeholders. 1
• Represent the ILO at seminars and conferences, contributing technical expertise. 1
• Formulate development cooperation project proposals aligned with regional priorities. 1
• Play a key role in resource mobilization for vocational training projects. 1
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Labour Economics, Sociology of Education, or Vocational Education and Training. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates should have excellent knowledge of skills development theories and approaches, as well as the ability to manage projects and provide technical guidance. Strong research, analytical, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to adapt to diverse audiences and work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
An advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Labour Economics, Economics of Education, Sociology of Education, Human Resources Development/Management, Vocational Education and Training, Educational Sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned fields, combined with two additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of experience in skills development and lifelong learning, particularly in technical and vocational education and training within the context of economic and social development. Experience at the international level is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the ILO's work and its constituents.

Languages:
Excellent command of Spanish is mandatory, along with a working knowledge of English. Proficiency in Portuguese is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 24 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance. The successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years. The ILO emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse and conducts background verifications for candidates under consideration. The recruitment process includes an online application, evaluation, and interviews, which may utilize communication technologies for remote assessments.