Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for North Africa (DWT/CO-Cairo) based in Cairo. DWTs provide high quality, timely and integrated technical support to country offices in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) in response to their requests within the framework of outcome-based work plans. This support includes technical and policy advice, information and analyses.

The main role of the position is to provide advisory services on wage policies throughout the African region according to the demand of constituents, with a priority to be given to the countries covered by the DWT/CO-Cairo. The incumbent will also provide support in the region on social dialogue and tripartism, as well as on collective bargaining on wages and other conditions of work.

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Director of DWT/CO-Cairo. The incumbent receives overall technical oversight and advice from the Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) within the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY) at headquarters. The Social Dialogue, Labour Relations and Governance of Work Branch (LABGOV) in the Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE) also provides technical guidance and advice.

The Specialist works in collaboration with the other specialists in the region, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the country and regional levels.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Identify the needs and priorities of the tripartite constituents at the national, sub- regional and regional levels in the area of wage policies, including for the formulation of national development frameworks, ILO Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs).
2. Provide gender-responsive technical advice and training to governments, employers and workers and other bodies concerned, on the concepts, design and implementation of adequate wage policies.
3. Develop policy-oriented research, produce and contribute to papers, reports and monographs, covering wage policies, including living wage.
4. Promote international labour standards related to wages, including those related to wage protection, and social dialogue and tripartism, including the fundamental conventions.
5. Develop and mobilize resources for development cooperation projects in particular in the area of wages and in the field of social dialogue and tripartism, in close consultation with ILO constituents, and concerned programmes and units in the field and at headquarters.
6. Represent the ILO on wages and working conditions in high-level forums, conferences and taskforces at national, subregional and regional levels that may also involve other international organizations, including international financial institutions.
7. Provide technical support and guidance on matters pertaining to social dialogue and tripartism, in the sub-region notably the establishment and strengthening of effective and inclusive social dialogue institutions, the strengthening of tripartite constituents’ capacity as well as the promotion of collective bargaining in conformity with the relevant ILO standards and good comparative practice.
8. Ensure inclusion and implementation of wages and social dialogue-related issues in DWCPs and outcome-based workplans.
9. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Economics with expertise in labour economics, Public Administration, Industrial Relations, Law or other relevant fields.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Economics with expertise in the above-mentioned areas and 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, including at the international level, in the area of working conditions, including in the domain of wage policies and/or labour/industrial relations.

Languages

Excellent command of English and/or French. A working knowledge of the other language (French or English) is required.

Competencies

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

Technical competencies

Ability to: focus on results, synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; formulate new concepts and methodologies; develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and ILC, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects. Ability to address and communicate with a variety of audiences (both technical and non-technical).

Behavioural Competencies
Good inter-personal skills and ability to liaise and cooperate with other members of the team and other programmes and entities. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.