Specialist in Light Manufacturing Sectors

Introduction

The position is located in the Extractives, Energy and Manufacturing unit (E2M) of the Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR).   SECTOR is responsible for providing support to ILO constituents in addressing employment and labour opportunities and issues in specific economic and social sectors at the global, regional and national levels. The sectoral approach to decent work cuts across the entire Decent Work Agenda.   The work of the Department includes:  consensus building on sector-specific policies and practices through social dialogue, including through tripartite sectoral meetings at the global, regional and national level;  the promotion of ratification and effective implementation of international labour standards, with special attention to sectoral labour standards;  the development and dissemination of knowledge and information relating to sector and/or industry-specific economic and employment trends;   policy-oriented research on decent work issues in specific sectors;   the implementation of development cooperation projects as well as the delivery of policy advice and capacity building programmes for tripartite constituents; and the promotion of policy coherence on key sectoral issues through strategic partnerships with other United Nations agencies, with multilateral organizations and with other stakeholders. 
SECTOR is also responsible for the coordination of Office-wide efforts for the promotion of decent work in the rural economy and the Department contributes to the ILO’s work on the promotion of decent work in supply chains.
The E2M unit promotes decent work in mining, oil and gas, iron and steel, basic chemicals, transport equipment manufacturing, electronics, and textiles, clothing, leather and footwear. The unit is also coordinating SECTOR’s work to advance decent work in supply chains and in the circular economy. 
The main role of the position is to support ILO constituents – governments, employers and workers – to advance decent work in light manufacturing sectors (e.g., electronics and textiles, clothing, leather & footwear).
The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Head of the E2M Unit in SECTOR. 
The Specialist works in collaboration with line ministries and with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other key stakeholders in the selected sectors at the national, regional and global levels.
The Specialist also works in collaboration with the other specialists at headquarters and in DWT/CO teams, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the global, regional, country and sectoral levels.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.    As primary specialist in the area(s) of decent work in light manufacturing sectors, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities for advancing decent work in light manufacturing sectors, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at global, regional, subregional 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 in the area of decent work in light manufacturing sectors 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 multidisciplinary initiatives 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 promotion of decent work in light manufacturing sectors area and leads to the formulation of policy advice and technical guidelines in the area of decent work in light manufacturing sectors.
6.    Develop and lead/coordinate the development of sectoral policies, initiatives, strategies 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 global, 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 sectoral policies and measures in the area of decent work in light manufacturing sectors. 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 decent work in light manufacturing sectors and related areas and develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in these sectors with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence.
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, national and sectoral levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of promoting decent work in light manufacturing sectors. 
11.    Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account global, regional, national and sectoral priorities on the promotion of decent work in light manufacturing sectors 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 promoting decent work in light manufacturing sectors. 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 engineering, law, economics, social science or other 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 seven years of experience in the field of labour law, economics or labour relations, including at the international level. Experience relevant to the light manufacturing sectors would be a considerable advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of one working language (English, French, Spanish) of the Organization and a working knowledge of a second working language. One of these languages must be English.

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 decent work in light manufacturing sectors 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.