Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for Central Africa and Country Office for Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe (DWT/CO-Yaoundé) based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. DWT/CO-Yaoundé provides high quality, timely and integrated support in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and outcome-based work plans. DWT/CO-Yaoundé also provides strategic guidance in formulating policy and work programmes as required by the ILO country offices and the constituents in Central Africa, under the supervision of the Regional Office for Africa and in collaboration with technical departments at ILO headquarters.

The main role of the position is to provide policy advisory services and technical guidance, contribute to knowledge management and innovation and the development of initiatives regarding addressing informality and facilitating the transition to formality in French-speaking countries in Africa but with a priority to be given to the countries covered by the DWT/CO-Yaoundé. The position will work closely with other technical specialists of the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Teams, technical units at headquarters, notably the Priority Action Programme on Transition from the informal to the formal economy and the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin. The incumbent will collaborate with counterparts in the region, other UN agencies, international organizations, and the donor community to draw up expertise and resources required. The Specialist will also work with the ILO Regional Office for Africa in achieving ILO priorities for the region.

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Director of DWT/CO-Yaounde. The incumbent will receive technical guidance and advice from the Chief of the Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions (INWORK) Branch within the Conditions of Work and Equality (WORKQUALITY) Department at ILO headquarters.

Specific Duties

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Director of DWT/CO-Yaounde. The incumbent will receive technical guidance and advice from the Chief of the Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions (INWORK) Branch within the Conditions of Work and Equality (WORKQUALITY) Department at ILO headquarters.
Key duties and responsibilities :

1. As primary specialist in the area(s) of informality and transition to formality, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities to facilitate transition to formality and reduce decent work deficits in the informal economy, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at regional, sub-regional and country 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 informality and transition to formality 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 informal economy and transition to formality area and leads to the formulation of policy recommendations, approaches and interventions related to this area.
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, sub-regional and national 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.

optional section (only if needed)

8. Support the strengthening of ILO constituents’ capacity to design and implement policies and measures, monitor their impact, refine and improve them as required in the area of informality and transition to formality. 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 area of informality and transition to formality and related areas and develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with IFIs and entities of the UN system, other international organizations, research institutions, civil society and other stakeholders with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and fostering policy coherence, developing joint programmes and influencing policy and financing decisions in support to the transition to formality and the reduction of decent work deficits in the informal economy.
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, subregional and national levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of informality and transition to formality].
11. Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account global, regional and local priorities on informality and transition to formality 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 informality and transition to formality. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in [political science, social or economic 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 labour market institutions, informal economy and transition to formality, including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent command of French. A working knowledge of English would be required.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following is required:
Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of labour markets institutions, informality, transition to formality 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.