Introduction

The position is located in the [Project Coordination Office (PCO), within the CO-Addis Ababa. The PCO will be responsible for overseeing Employment-Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) initiatives in countries covered by CO-Addis Ababa, CO-Algiers and the Decent Work Technical Support Team for North Africa and the Country Office for Egypt and Eritrea in Cairo (DWT/CO-Cairo). The CO-Addis Ababa provides high quality, timely and integrated technical support in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) within the framework of outcome-based work plans. The EIIP provides policy advice, technical advisory services, programme and project development and capacity building in the field of employment-rich and decent work through public and private investments in infrastructure development in the economic, social, and environmental sectors. Most of the ILO’s interventions in countries are designed to make use of these employment-intensive investment strategy and approach, either through national, sectoral or municipal investment programmes or through targeted employment creation projects and emergency employment schemes.
The main role of the position is to provide policy advisory services, technical guidance, and develop and support EIIP initiatives in the sub-region. The position will work closely with other specialists in the Africa region, the DWT-Cairo and technical units in headquarters, the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin, other UN agencies, other international organizations and the donor community in promoting employment and employability. The Specialist will work with the ILO Regional Office for Africa in achieving ILO priorities for the region as well as to provide inputs to global initiatives on EIIP.
The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Director of the CO-Addis Ababa.
The Specialist receives technical guidance and advice from the Employment in Investment (EMPINVEST) Branch of the Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods (EMPLOYMENT) Department at headquarters. The Specialist works in collaboration with the other specialists in the DWT/CO team, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the country and regional levels

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. As primary specialist in the area(s) of EIIP, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities for National and Sectoral labour-related policies and programmes, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at regional and national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, taking into account the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and ensure the effective management of staff and consultants in accordance with ILO standards, the results-based management framework and through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and other feedback mechanisms, as applicable.
2. Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide expert policy and technical advice on Employment Intensive and climate-smart Investment approach, more and better jobs Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Decent work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205) and the ILO jobs for Peace and Resilience Programme (JPR) Flagship concerning the role of employment and decent work in prevention of and response to conflicts and disasters to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.
3. Support ILO constituents in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of employers’ and workers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects.
4. Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Participate in tripartite reviews on development cooperation activities and develop related EIIP strategies. Ensure coherence with cross cutting themes such as right to work, social dialogue, gender equality and social inclusion, safety and health and environment with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.
5. Initiate, design, conduct/commission and/or coordinate innovative and gender-mainstreamed research and analysis that meets the evolving needs of constituents and other key stakeholders in the EIIP area and leads to the formulation of technical guidelines and the development of new or enhancement of existing methodologies and concepts related to EIIP.
6. Develop and lead/coordinate the development of EIIP interventions and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents’ needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the regional and country levels and provide advice and technical support to constituents and other stakeholders on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.
7. Provide technical inputs to, oversee the drafting of/draft, peer review and edit reports, publications and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.

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8. Support the strengthening of ILO constituents’ capacity to design and implement policies and monitor the impact of policies and programmes in the area of employment intensive investment in job rich sectors, including infrastructure. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead and/or coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable
9. Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships in the promotion of employment intensive investment and related areas and develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners, entities of the UN system, other international organizations, regional and national actors, private institutions, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, research institutions, academia, civil society and other key stakeholders with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence, joint programme design and implementation, resource mobilization and financing decisions in support of decent work objectives.
10. Organize, facilitate and make technical contributions at seminars, conferences and other events. Represent and engage the ILO as a key player in meetings, conferences and forums at the international, regional and national levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of employment intensive investment.
11. Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account international, regional and national priorities on employment intensive works and the need to position these within relevant cooperation frameworks. Provide technical backstopping for development cooperation projects and promote and facilitate coherence and knowledge sharing among projects.
12. Play a key role in resource mobilization efforts to secure funding for new projects and activities in the field of employment intensive public and private investments. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Civil Engineering covering areas such as construction and infrastructure or environmental engineering or other relevant fields.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of experience in employment intensive investment approaches, including at the international level and including experience in project management. Experience related to local resources-based approaches and technologies as well as planning and delivery of technical training on EIIP would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English. A working knowledge of French would be an advantage.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following are required:

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of [employment intensive investment, and more specifically appropriate technologies, environmental protection and preservation, community empowerment and the provision transformative infrastructure, with the ability to plan, coordinate and guide the development and implementation of new concepts policies, techniques and procedures in response to evolving technical needs.
Good knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities and ability to address broader issues outside the field of specialization.
Ability to lead and manage individual and group assignments and to supervise those undertaking the work.
Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance on latest policy developments in the technical area.
Excellent research and analytical skills.
Excellent drafting skills.
Excellent communication skills, excellent presentation skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills. Ability to adapt communication style to diverse audiences.
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to network and build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and to create and promote synergies across the Organization and with external stakeholders.
Ability to represent the Organization and present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO’s position on it to partners with a view to gaining their support to advance the desired course of action.
Ability to mobilize resources.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.