Introduction

The position is located in the Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP). ACT/EMP is a global team, consisting of a small team of Senior Relations and Senior Technical Specialists in ILO headquarters in Geneva, and a network of Senior Employer Specialists in each of the ILO Decent Work Teams in the different regions. ACT/EMP’s principal work is to manage the relationship between the ILO and Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs), as well as the wider business community, to promote mutual understanding, shared values, and a desire to work together. This is done in close cooperation with the Secretariat of the Employers’ Group of the ILO. Additionally, through its programme of development cooperation, ACT/EMP seeks to build the capacity of EBMOs to be strong, independent, and representative, and to increase their value to their members and potential members.

The main role of the position is to design and implement regional development cooperation programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean that support the needs and priorities of EBMOs in the region, including regional reports, tools, meetings, and other activities. The position also acts as the liaison between the ILO Regional Office and the ILO employer constituents and private enterprises, and provides policy advice to the Regional Director, ACT/EMP Director, and ILO colleagues on the priorities and concerns of EBMOs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Director of the Bureau for Employers’ Activities.

Specific Duties

1. Develop a work plan every two years, in consultation with the EBMOs in the region, based on a needs assessment, considering the available budget. The work plan should be finalized in dialogue with the Regional Desk Officers for Latin America and the Caribbean assigned at Headquarters and by the ACT/EMP Director. This includes planning, organising, coordinating and monitoring regional activities specifically convened for EBMO’s representatives at regional level, as well as their participation in bipartite and tripartite regional activities where EBMO’s representatives are invited to take part.

2. Implement the agreed work plan and review and report on progress through a quarterly monitoring exercise. Conduct comprehensive reporting, including through programme impact assessment, including information on where challenges have been encountered and lessons learned from both successes and challenges. Evaluate performance against the agreed Work Plan and outcome objectives set out above.

3. Provide advice to senior ILO officials in Latin America (Office Directors in Latin America and Caribbean) on policy priorities of EBMOs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ensure inputs reflecting these priorities are inserted into relevant policy documents produced by the ILO Regional Specialists team, proposals for development cooperation programmes and projects in the region.

4. Provide technical support to the Employers’ Group during regional meetings and ensure that the discussion process is supported. Liaise with the with the Regional Desk Officers for Latin America and the Caribbean on issues under discussion.

5. At a regional level, provide advice, organize training courses, produce publications, organize workshops, seminars, conferences, study missions or other related activities, to assist EBMOs in developing and promoting policy proposals for economic and social development, with a view to achieving a better business environment for the development of sustainable enterprises and productivity enhancement. Provide input to ACT/EMP on technical issues requested from Headquarters and collaborate with other colleagues in the regional team on matters of common interest. Seek and secure alternative donor funding for projects.

6. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

Generic Duties

1. Provide advice to senior officials on matters of concern to the relevant constituent group and represent the unit or the Organization at official meetings and conferences.

2. Provide advice to senior officials on current policies and views, as well as on the development of general policies for relations with organisations, including employers’ and workers’ organisations and ensure the consistent application of such policies. Organise and ensure the preparation of policy-related documents.

3. Coordinate the servicing of the various groups of regional and other official or specialised meetings and ensure that the discussion process is supported. Coordinate representation of the Organization at official meetings and brief ILO representatives at such meetings.

4. Review major ILO reports and documents, provide comments and suggestions to reflect relevant concerns and interests and approve documents, communications, and press releases.

5. Undertake missions to Member States to improve relations with relevant organisations to discuss and review their situation, and to provide advice and information on the Organization’s policies and activities.

6. Recommend action on personnel, budgetary, procedural, and other matters relating to the efficient operations of the unit.

7. Conceptualise, formulate, and prepare development cooperation projects for submission to donors. Discuss possible projects with donors and obtain their approval, providing justification and explanation as required. Negotiate objectives, design, content, and cost of development cooperation activities, and assume responsibility for the management and implementation of projects as well as for the quality of work performed and donor reporting.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, labour law, public administration, industrial relations, political science or another relevant field. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field 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 ten years of professional experience, including at the international level, with at least five years of experience in senior management positions in employers’ organizations or other business organizations, and/or comparable experience in development cooperation management functions with practical experience of working with Employers and Business Membership Organizations. Experience in a senior-level position in the Latin America and/or Caribbean region would be a major asset. Knowledge of business productivity and just transition would be considered an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of Spanish and English.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

• In-depth knowledge of the work of the Organization, its policies, programmes and procedures.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of employers’ and of labour-related programmes, issues, practices and processes.
• Political insight and sound judgement.
• Ability to present and advocate policy changes in difficult circumstances.
• Ability to make authoritative judgements and to assume managerial, administrative and supervisory responsibilities.
• Ability to advise senior-level officials, executive management and constituents and to negotiate and discuss sensitive matters with tact, discretion and authority.
• Ability to take initiatives, plan and organise work.
• Excellent analytical skills to undertake complex policy analysis and to produce relevant reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to advise senior-level officials and constituents and discuss sensitive matters.
• Discretion and high sense of responsibility, judgement and diplomacy.
• Ability to deliver speeches and to represent the Organization in a tripartite environment.
• Knowledge of and experience in using computers including word processing software.
• Excellent leadership and management skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.