Grade: P4
Vacancy no.: RAPS/3/2023/AM/01
Publication date: 7 July 2023
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 7 August 2023
Job ID: 11013
Department: RO-Latin America and the Caribbean
Organization Unit: DWT/CO-San Jose
Location: San Jose
Contract type: Fixed Term
The following are eligible to apply:
Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply.
Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.
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 ilojobs@ilo.org.
The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers’ and business membership organizations, and workers’ organizations).
Applicants from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States
In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.
Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.
The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, candidates applying for the professional category vacancies who have not already successfully completed their probationary period within the ILO and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed they may be required to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.
The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Central America, Panama, Haiti and Dominican Republic (DWT/CO-San José), in San Jose de Costa Rica. DWT/CO-San José covers Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. It provides high-quality, timely and comprehensive technical support in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and results-based work plans. The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean has overall political and management responsibilities for the promotion of ILO principles, policies and decent work priorities in the region as well as for providing strategic guidance and support to all ILO Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs) and Country Offices (COs) in the region.
The ILO’s Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All (2015), based on the Conclusions on Sustainable Development, Decent Work and Green Jobs adopted at the 102nd session of the International Labour Conference (2013), the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work and the guidance from the Priority Action Programme on Just Transitions towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies, constitute the guiding frameworks for the Specialist’s work. The goal is to support integrated measures for just transitions, strengthen constituents’ capacities on policies, plans and programmes for just transitions, foster ILO’s engagement in multilateral initiatives and strengthen resource mobilization.
With the guidance from the ILO Governing Body and the International Labour Conference in this area and through the implementation of the Priority Action Programme on Just Transitions towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies, and the Office-wide Action Plan on Environmental Sustainability, the main role of the position is to provide technical support to ILO constituents through the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and to ILO Country Offices across the region on environmental sustainability.
1. As primary specialist in the area(s) of green jobs and sustainable development], is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities for just transitions towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies in Latin America and the Caribbean, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at regional, subregional, 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 in the area of green jobs and just transition, addressing the linkages between climate change, environmental sustainability and decent work and the implementation of climate change strategies by providing support in the national-level application of the 2015 Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all 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 world of work and climate change, the green economy and just transitions area and leads to the formulation of policy advice in the area of just transitions.
6. Develop and lead/coordinate the development of 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 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.
8. Support the strengthening of ILO constituents' capacity to design and implement policies and measures, monitor the impact of policies and measures, refine and improve policies and measures as required in the area of green jobs and just transitions in coherence with sustainable development policies, climate change strategies, social dialogue mechanisms, employment policies, sustainable enterprise development strategies, rural and local economic development strategies, sector and value chain promotion strategies, taking into account priorities in the region. 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 context of the implementation of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy and the Coalition for Social Justice, among others and related areas. Develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with entities of the UN system, other international organizations, regional and national technical institutions, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, regional organizations and mechanisms and other key stakeholders with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence, joint programme design and implementation, promoting awareness of ILO’s values and strategic objectives, resource mobilization, influencing policy 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 regional, subregional, national, subnational level including climate change regional negotiations under the UNFCCC, UNEP, UNDP, OECD and ECLAC, development partners, regional organizations and regional development banks levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of green jobs.
11. Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account regional, subregional, national priorities on decent work, climate change, the green economy and just transition 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 decent work, climate change, the green economy and just transition. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, political science, sustainable development and/or environmental studies with a clear social development focus 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.
At least seven years of experience in providing technical assistance, policy advice and international good practices in matters related to the fields of green jobs and sustainable development, including at the international level.
Experience with ILO policies, strategies and tools pertaining to the promotion of green jobs would be an asset.
Excellent command of Spanish and a working knowledge of English). A working knowledge of Portuguese or French would be an advantage.
In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following are required:
Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of green jobs and sustainable development 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.
Conditions of employment
For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.
Important Information
Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.
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 assessment centres, 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 - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.