Technical Specialist, Financing Social Protection and Decent Jobs for Just Transitions, P4

Grade: P4

Vacancy no.: DC/SOCPRO/P/2025/01

Publication date: 20 January 2025

Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 03 February 2025

Job ID: 12682

Department: SOCPRO

Organization Unit: SOCPRO

Location: Geneva

Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: 12 months

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to E-Mail schreiben.

Introduction

The position is located in the Universal Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and will work on the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions (Global Accelerator).

The Global Accelerator was launched in September 2021 by the UN Secretary-General and promotes a job-rich recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as just ecological, technological and societal transitions to more sustainable and inclusive economies and societies. It supports countries in creating decent jobs and achieving universal social protection for “just transitions” in the context of climate change, demographic shifts, digitalization, and economic transformations. It is one of the six UN inter-agency initiatives to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The GA is coordinated by the ILO and is being implemented through a joint process of governments, social partners, UN agencies, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and other key stakeholders building a tailor-made approach adapted to each country’s specific context, including those in fragile and post-conflict settings. Eighteen countries - known as “pathfinder countries” - have committed to be part of the Global Accelerator. The World Bank supports the initiative and collaborates with the UN through a dedicated partnership called “M-GA”. Other development banks join the Global Accelerator through a FICS Coalition for social investments and by aligning their country’s operations to the objectives of national Global Accelerator roadmaps.

The Global Accelerator has established a Window under the UN Joint SDG Fund allocating resources based on calls for proposals to UN country teams in pathfinder countries to support the design and implementation of national Global Accelerator roadmaps, including through specific collaborations with the World Bank.

The Global Accelerator hosts a Technical Support Facility (TSF) which brings together national and international expertise, including from the UN system as well as development and financial partners, to provide technical assistance to countries and facilitate their access to additional financial support, where appropriate.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to contribute to the implementation of the Global Accelerator in pathfinder countries, by providing technical support and advisory services to the pathfinder countries in public finance management and social protection and employment policy spending, financing, and impact evaluation guided by international labour standards.

The incumbent will also contribute to strengthen the ILO’s work and strategy on financing for social protection and employment in close collaboration with the Public Finance, Actuarial and Statistics Unit in SOCPRO, and relevant branches in the Employment Policy Department, through the development of tools, knowledge products and capacity building activities, that will be applied in Global Accelerator pathfinder countries, and undertaking research to build the economic and political case for social protection, decent jobs, formalization and just transitions.

S/He will contribute to Outcome 8 on Integrated policy and institutional responses for social justice through decent work in the ILO Programme and Budget for 2024-25, Outcome 7 on universal social protection and Outcome 3 on employment in the ILO Programme and Budget for 2024-25 and 2026-27, and Outcome 9 in the ILO Programme and Budget for 2026-27.

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Reporting lines and collaboration:

The incumbent will report to and be supervised by the Deputy Director of the Universal Social Protection Department (SOCPRO), and will liaise and collaborate closely with the Head of the Department Management and Coordination unit of EMPLOYMENT who are both managing the GA.

S/he will also work in very close technical collaboration with the Head of the Public Finance, Actuarial and Statistics Unit of the Universal Social Protection department (SOC/PFACTS).

S/he will work in close cooperation with technical specialists and experts from the Universal Social Protection Department, the Employment Policy Department, the Enterprises Department, several Action Programmes and notably AP Formalization, the Research department of the ILO, the Partnerships Department, as well as other relevant Departments involved in the Global Accelerator at headquarters.

S/he will closely work with ILO and UN country teams in pathfinder countries as well as UN Development System, UN agencies, social partners, the World Bank, and public development banks, the OECD and other relevant institutions, in pathfinder countries and at the global level. S/he will also collaborate with the IMF in GA pathfinder countries – where relevant - and in close collaboration with SOC/PFACTS.

Description of Duties

Within the context of the Global Accelerator project(s), the incumbent will:

• Contribute to the implementation of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, as well as the development of new tools, methodologies, research products and support to countries interested in joining the initiative.
• Resource mobilization and partnership development: Develop resource mobilization proposals to support the Global Accelerator Initiative. Develop partnerships inside and outside the ILO with other UN agencies and networks, OECD, IFIs, EU, IMF, the World Bank and other public development banks, thinktanks, donors, foundations, climate funds, private sector companies, to design, finance, pilot and evaluate initiatives.
• Project design and management: Design and manage global projects on the GA. Support the development of country and thematic proposals, in close collaboration with the Joint SDG Fund, the TSF and the World Bank.
• Global knowledge products: Manage global research projects carried out with the World Bank and with other UN agencies under the Global Accelerator and a specific “M-GA” partnership with the World Bank. Support the design and implementation of innovative data collection models to identify social protection and employment needs in real time.
• Hub of Expertise of the Global Accelerator: Lead the development of the overall Service Offer of the GA Hub of Expertise in close collaboration with other TSF Agencies. Identify and mobilize experts to contribute to the Hub including through the development of a pool of consultants and partner institutions.
• Social Spending: Develop a global joint proposal for establishing social protection and employment tracking systems in selected countries under the Global Accelerator. In close collaboration with SOC/PFACTs and the Employment Policy Department, establish and develop key partnerships with the World Bank, UNICEF and the IMF to agree on a common taxonomy and approach. Develop technical guidelines with all those partners.
• Impact evaluation: Support and contribute to the application of the ILO Structural Model for Sustainable Development (SMSD) in Global Accelerator countries, document the results and use them for global advocacy and partnership development. Develop and implement an ex-post impact evaluation component under the Global Accelerator to assess the effects of employment and/or social protection interventions.
• Financing employment and social protection: Document country level financing solutions for decent jobs and universal social protection and develop know-how on financing employment and social protection policies, complementing SOC/PFACT’s tools on financing social protection. Establish or further develop key partnerships with the World Bank, the IMF, public development banks, the OECD, climate funds, the EU, and other institutions to support additional financing for decent jobs and universal social protection.
• Capacity building in partnership with ITC ILO Turin, UN Development and Coordination Office and UN Staff College: Develop training material and deliver courses on topics related to the Global Accelerator, including integrated policies, social protection and employment spending tracking, or nowcasting models.
• Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the work.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics or public finance.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant experience in the field of social protection and employment policies, with a focus on designing and financing of social protection and employment policies including at the international level. Demonstrated experience in policy analysis and applied research. A publication record in the fields covered by this position (social protection and employment policy, spending and financing, impact evaluation). Proven experience and knowledge of database tools, Ms Excel, STATA, R or similar tool is a requirement. Experience in developing and managing partnerships is required.

Languages

Excellent command of English and a working knowledge of a second official language of the Organization (French or Spanish).

Competencies

• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and multi-disciplinary teams;
• Ability to advocate for the ILO’s principles and approach on social protection and its financing;
• Capacity to provide first-line technical advice in the area of specialisation;
• Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and anaq1lyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialised technical field;
• Ability to synthesize research using quantitative models and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects;
• Capability to manage technical cooperation projects, and guide and co-ordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff or young professionals;
• Ability to prepare reports and publications of a high quality, technically sound with conclusions leading to an action plan and programme development;
• Ability to provide credible implementation assistance to senior specialists in carrying out research, project formulation and implementation;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes;
• Capacity to manage multi-tasks projects and various assignments with short deadlines.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.

To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account E-Mail schreiben - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.