Introduction

The Research and Publications Department is responsible for conducting multi-disciplinary research on labour and employment issues that can contribute to the evidence-based formulation of ILO policies that will advance social justice and promote decent work. To this end, the Department undertakes research on frontier issues and is engaged in inter-departmental collaboration on other research topics prioritized by constituents. It produces a number of publications including the World Employment and Social Outlook, the Social Justice Report, policy briefs, studies that examine the inter-linkages between economic growth and social equity and the International Labour Review. The Research and Publications Department works closely with the Statistics Department to deliver on the overall research agenda within the Office of the Deputy Director General.
The Director leads the development and implementation of the research agenda for the Department in accordance with the priorities set by the Governing Body of the ILO and in collaboration with the Office, in areas such as macroeconomic policies and jobs, work, income and equity, skills and active labour market policies, work in the digital economy, regional and country policy assessment, globalization, competitiveness and labour standards, and the future of work. It also promotes, facilitates and coordinates cutting-edge research, including in the priority area of artificial intelligence in the world of work. In addition, the Director contributes to the overall strategic vision for research within the Office of the Deputy Director General. The incumbent ensures that the Department works in close collaboration with other ILO departments, field offices and constituents and is also responsible for developing knowledge networks and maintaining close collaborative relationships with relevant international organizations, academic institutions, and other key actors. The secretariat for the Publications Committee, responsible for the implementation of the ILO Publications Policy, is located in the Department.
The position reports to the ILO Deputy Director-General.

Description of Duties

1. Lead the development of an ILO Research Strategy within the ILO’s strategic programming framework.
2. Provide intellectual leadership and strategic direction for the Office’s work in the area of research and publications within the framework of the current Office-wide research agenda, set out in the ILO Programme and Budget.
3. Lead and promote cutting-edge research, including collaborative and interdisciplinary research, on employment and social issues and the future of work with a view to supporting the ILO’s tripartite constituents and enhancing their capacity to apply the knowledge published by the ILO.
4. Create a working environment that promotes collaboration as well as intellectual and research growth. Promote inter-departmental research collaboration and cooperation.
5. Oversee the production of quality policy-relevant research, notably in the form of flagship and major reports such as the World Employment and Social Outlook Report, the Social Justice Report as well as policy briefs, research studies and issues of the International Labour Review.
6. Develop and maintain joint research activities and collaborate with other UN agencies to ensure that Member States are supported to implement evidence-based policies to tackle employment and social policy challenges.
7. Ensure dissemination and provision of effective evidence-based capacity-building to ILO constituents so that they can use the knowledge generated by the ILO. This includes ensuring the ILO’s Publications strategy includes modern, responsive, and dynamic online publishing.
8. Manage the work of the Research Review Group, which reviews the research of the Department and advises on research themes.
9. Influence global and national thinking and policy on key employment and social policy issues by providing relevant quality research in a timely manner. Raise the ILO’s visibility and influence in debates on employment and social policy challenges, notably as regards sustainable development and social justice in its various dimensions, including job-rich growth, income and gender inequalities. This includes contributions to the work of other Departments that are writing reports for the International Labour Conference, to the G20 and other global fora. It may also include support to Institutional Reports such as the DG’s Report to the International Labour Conference.
10. Represent the Organization at high-level meetings and negotiations on research-related issues and promote the ILO’s research outcomes within the UN inter-agency system. Build and coordinate partnerships with research networks, think tanks and global and regional institutions.

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11. Participate in the Senior Management Team within the DDG Office, to ensure effective coordination, joint work planning and implementation with other departments and the field. Provide leadership for the ILO global technical team on research, including regional field specialists on research and related departments of the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin. Work closely with ILO’s Statistics Department and other departments to ensure that sound and up-to-date data is maintained to support policy design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
12. Take overall responsibility for managing the Department’s human and financial resources, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion and timely delivery of work products in accordance with results-based management principles. Ensure that key risks are identified, assessed and managed for the achievement of agreed results and that risk management is embedded in all core processes and functions.
13. Lead and manage the staff of the Research and Publications Department, including by establishing workplans and evaluating performance based on objectives. Foster a harmonious working environment and help staff members to achieve their potential. Provide guidance, training and integrated approaches to human resource and career development issues.
14. Ensure that extra-budgetary resource mobilization is adequate to meet the needs of the Department. Represent the Office as required, in coordination with the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department, at high-level donor meetings for resource mobilization for research activities.

Desirable profile:

The set of qualifications below is indicative of the type of experience, education, language skills, and competencies expected for this position.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics or another social sciences discipline 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.
A doctoral degree will be an advantage.

Experience

Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of research on employment- and labour-related issues, including at the international level. Familiarity with freedom of association and collective bargaining topics. At least ten years in a managerial capacity. Proven ability to publish and/or manage publications of top-quality books and/or journal articles.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of a second working language (French and Spanish) of the Organization would be an advantage.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

The ILO core competencies at the managerial level are required and the following are of particular importance.
Skill in developing and implementing new research strategies and formulating policy. Ability to create a strategic vision. Strong advocacy skills and ability to build partnerships. Strategic planning skills. Excellent and proven knowledge of operational, administrative and financial procedures, practices and rules in organizations of similar size and complexity. Excellent skills in programme development, execution, monitoring and evaluation. Proven skills and ability in advising and leading work teams. Effective communication and leadership skills. Strong interpersonal skills and integrity. Ability to deal effectively with constituents and donor agencies. Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills. Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.