Department

The internship position is located in the Research Department of the ILO (RESEARC, which conducts research on labour and employment issues with the aim of contributing to policy formulation for ILO constituents and promoting decent work for all. The Department has been assessing the implications for decent work and socioeconomic outcomes from major transformative changes related to new technologies, inequalities and demographic shifts, climate change, and trade and global supply chains. The Department also generates new research on “frontier issues” to support the needs of ILO constituents and develop innovative policy thinking for a humancentred future of decent work.

The intern will contribute towards and learn from the research being conducted by the Digital Transformation of Work Team of the Department, which has been investigating the implications of digital technologies, such as digital labour platforms and algorithmic management, for workers, businesses and the broader labour market. The research undertaken by the team has been exploring the social and economic outcomes of such innovation and new technologies across multiple levels, including at global, regional, national, sectoral and firm level. The team has been assessing the transformation of the world of work from these technologies and evaluating their impacts on working conditions of workers, particularly in developing countries. This includes capturing and analysing the experiences of workers in the platform economy as well as in some traditional workplaces who are increasingly being managed through algorithmic management practices. The team also engages with the role of ILO’s social partners, social dialogue, as well as public policies and legislation in ensuring decent work amidst the ongoing transformation of work.

The research undertaken by the team is grounded in an interdisciplinary approach, that brings together disciplines such as economics, law, political science, computer sciences, among others. It is also driven by an intersectional perspective, and engages with the realities and experiences of multiple groups of workers, including women, young workers, persons with disabilities, indigenous and tribal peoples, ethnic minorities, migrant workers, among others. The team conducts research using innovative approaches and methods, and produces reports, briefs and papers to reach a diversity of audience. The work of the team aims to generate a comprehensive evidence base and contribute towards public policy discussions to leverage innovation and new technologies for achieving equitable outcomes and promoting decent work for all.

Learning areas

As an intern in the Digital Transformation of Work Team of the Research Department, you will be providing factual summaries of the case law for Spain and France where the cases have already been collected taking into consideration the essence of the judgement; the legal context, where it will outline the legal provisions which form the legal context of the case and on which the plaintiff’s claim is based; the factual context, with a concise description of the factual situation giving rise to the legal proceedings; issues considered for the case; final decision and outcome for the cases.
• You will be collecting judicial decision developments taking place in Latin America as done in Europe and Africa.
• You would enhance your knowledge on the mandate and role of the ILO, and its social partners, in promoting decent work in the platform economy.
• You would be gaining experience working with legal experts as well as economists, and strengthening your capacities working with detailed judicial decisions.
• You would strengthen your research and writing skills by contributing towards the preparation of publications, including working papers, reports and briefs.
• You would be exposed to ILO meetings, workshops and conferences, and would support the team in the organisation of such events.
• Interns should expect to devote 10% to 20% of their time to administrative tasks.

Required profile

Education

Economics, Development Studies, Law, Statistics or other similar fields.

The candidate should be enrolled in their final year of graduate degree programme or should have completed such a programme no longer than 1 years ago

Experience

Any relevant work experience related to the digital economy, platform work or algorithmic management with a focus on labour issues would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of Spanish; working (both oral and writteknowledge of another ILO official language (French or Engliswould be an advantage.

Competencies

Adaptable to an international, multicultural and multilingual environment, good communication skills and be able to work in a team.

Additional Requirements

Strong IT skills, including good knowledge of word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software; good knowledge of statistical software for conducting data analysis would be an advantage.