Senior Technical Specialist, Informal Economy and Decent Work

The position is located in the Priority Action Programme “Transition from the informal to the formal economy” (AP/Formalization) under the DDG portfolio. Guided by the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204), AP/Formalization will enable coherence and effectiveness of ILO technical assistance to support ILO constituents in designing and implementing integrated strategies for transition to formality leading to transformative change by: (a) building a shared understanding, based on evidence, among constituents and within the multilateral system on why and how to address informality and its root causes with particular attention to gender equality concerns, highlighting the essential contribution of formalization to social justice; (b) strengthening the capacity of constituents to implement gender-responsive, inclusive, integrated and coherent formalization strategies and to improve the coordination and synergies between distinct policy interventions in the area; and (c) developing joint initiatives within the multilateral system on transition to formality. 

IGDS no.660 provides details about the objectives and operational modalities of the four Priority Action Programmes (APs) introduced through the Programme and Budget for 2024–25. The APs focus on the effective coordination and integration of policies and activities across the different areas of the ILO’s work and the provision of integrated support to constituents. They are expected to function as entry points for leveraging partnerships and cooperation in support of the Global Coalition for Social Justice. The four APs have been designed to foster integrated cross-Office action and collaborative working modalities across departments at headquarters and in field offices, addressing decent work deficits affecting specific, well-defined populations and ensuring integrated policy responses aimed to result in measurable outcomes. In this way, the APs will enable the consolidation and expansion of in-house expertise and knowledge on key policy areas of the world of work; this will translate into increased impact at country level and the stronger positioning of the ILO globally. The APs will be implemented in close cooperation with ILO tripartite constituents and involve relevant entities of the multilateral system, as well as development partners and civil society organizations concerned with the specific theme each AP is targeting. 

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the AP/Formalization, the Senior Technical Specialist will be responsible for providing direct technical support to the above AP/F, manage the program of cooperation with AECID and lead activities to realize the expected results. The partnership between AECID and the ILO aims at developing an evidence-based policy framework to effectively support efforts at national level for transformative change and to strengthen capacities of ILO constituents to formulate and implement integrate policies for transition to formality and decent work. 

The Senior Technical Specialist will report to the Director of the AP/Formalization and will receive technical guidance from the concerned technical Department. They will work closely with both Technical Specialists from relevant policy departments in HQ and/or the Decent Work Teams in the field who are members of the extended AP/F Team. They will also ensure timely consultation and reporting with AECID.

Description of Duties

Technical leadership and advice:

• Manage the ILO-AECID collaboration programme, lead activities to realize the expected results, provide timely monitoring reports and manage a good communication flow and collaboration framework with AECID.
• Lead, in coordination with ITCILO, and under the guidance of the AP/F Director, the organization of a global knowledge sharing Forum, bringing together ILO constituents and representatives from multilateral agencies and academic and research institutions from different regions to share and discuss good practices and innovative approaches for facilitating transition to formality.
• Provide timely technical backstopping to ILO country Offices implementing activities linked to Programme and Budget’s Output 8.2 (Improved coherence in support and action to facilitate transition from the informal to the formal economy). And ensure that technical interventions and decisions are well founded, consider the specific nature of the Output 8.2 objectives, and ensure that the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects is included.
• Lead, under the guidance of the AP/Formalization Director and in coordination with the AP/F extended team, the production of a guidebook on innovative approaches for transition to formality based on good practices and lessons learnt for strengthening capacities of ILO constituents to implement effective integrated strategies and policy coordination mechanisms; building on existing programs and efforts at regional and country level (such as FORLAC 2:0 or SOLIFEM).
• Provide expert advice and technical support to the preparatory work for the 2025 general discussion of the International Labour Conference on “Innovative approaches to tackling informality and promoting transitions towards formality”.
• Provide expert advice and technical support to the AP/Formalization contribution to both the ILO contribution to the Social Development Conference (2025) and the Thematic initiatives of the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
• Set-up and lead, in the framework of the Global Accelerator, a collaborative work network on transition to formality bringing together relevant multilateral agencies for innovative strategic partnerships in pathfinders countries ensuring effective coordination and resource mobilization.

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

• Develop and maintain excellent relations with governments, ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of the AP/Formalization.
• Liaise and coordinate with the other UN agencies and counterparts to promote ILO values, increase the AP/Formalization objectives visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO’s interventions. Liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO’s work on regarding transition to formality, based on Recommendation no.204, to increase ILO’s work visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO’s interventions.
• Establish and manage partnerships within the multilateral system, including IFIs, to develop joint research on the level and characteristics of informal employment to generate a shared vision that will help to foster policy coherence among organizations.
• Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the AP/Formalization, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists.

Knowledge management:

• Design communication and knowledge-sharing strategies and support the development of the AP/Formalization information/knowledge materials on innovative approaches and good practices for transition to formality.
• Participate, conceive, plan and manage international and national expert group meetings, seminars and similar consultations that contribute to knowledge production about innovative approaches for transition to formality. Manage outreach and technical activities, including networks and communities of practice for knowledge sharing; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc. and establish coordination with concerned ILO Departments and Field Offices.
• Identify training needs and lead training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.
• Represent the Office at meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks of government policymakers, workers’ and employers’ organizations and civil society organizations.
• Perform other duties as required.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics, development studies, social science or a related discipline. 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 required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• At least ten years of relevant experience in the field of development cooperation (in particular, related to social protection, employment, and informal economy issues) including at least 7 years at international level with past experience in managing projects, mobilizing resources and building strategic partnerships. Past experience with the UN system would be an asset.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of both English and Spanish; and a good working knowledge of French would be an asset.

Source: https://jobs.ilo.org/job/Geneva-Senior-Technical-Specialist,-Informal-Economy-and-Decent-Work-1200/1069677101/