Adviser to ADG, External and Corporate Relations Cluster

Introduction

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a tripartite United Nations (UN) agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of its Member States to advance decent work and social justice throughout the world. The ILO promotes opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The ILO pursues the objectives of ensuring rights at work, encouraging decent employment, enhancing social protection and strengthening social dialogue in handling work-related issues.  

The External and Corporate Relations Cluster (ECR) oversees the ILO’s external relations, partnerships, communications and the servicing of the governing organs of the ILO. The Cluster encompasses the functions and responsibilities of the following departments: Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department (PARTNERSHIPS); Official Meetings, Documentation and Relations Department (RELMEETINGS); Department of Communication and Public Information (DCOMM).
The incumbent provides advice and support to the Assistant Director-General for External and Corporate Relations in the oversight of the ILO’s global external relations and engagement in favour of decent work and social justice. 
The incumbent reports to the Assistant Director-General of the ECR Cluster. 

Specific Duties

1.Provide senior-level strategic advisory and operational support to the Assistant Director-General on matters related to the functions of the ILO’s External and Corporate Relations Cluster and prepare documents of a conceptual, strategic and programmatic nature.
2.Provide policy, operational, research and other forms of support to the Assistant Director-General, towards advancing efforts to strengthen policy coherence on social justice, and disseminate ILO’s priorities and programmatic activities, within the UN system and other international organizations, international and regional financial institutions, civil society organisations and other external actors.
3.Coordinate the preparation of speeches, briefing notes, talking points and other preparatory work, for the Assistant Director-General’s participation at seminars, roundtables, UN inter-agency meetings, and public engagements on behalf of the ILO.
4.Coordinate the preparation for the Governing Body (GB) and the International Labour Conference (ILC) meetings and facilitate and support the Assistant Director-General’s engagement with governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations in connection with the GB and ILC meetings.
5.Assist in the formulation of Programme and Budget proposals, and the implementation of decisions that impact upon the effective management of the Cluster.
6.Contribute as a strategic member of the Cluster management team.
7.Recommend and facilitate appropriate representation of the Cluster at relevant meetings and events and ensure appropriate briefings and reports are prepared and follow-up action is carried out. Participate, as required, in work involving internal and external administrative and oversight bodies, as appropriate.
8.Monitor issues arising from meetings of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and the Global Management Team (GMT); coordinate ILO inputs from the relevant departments and units and prepare briefing materials for the Assistant Director-General; and advise on appropriate follow-up.
9.Represent the work unit and the Office in internal and external meetings as requested by the Assistant Director-General.
10.Liaise and follow-up with CABINET and Advisers of other Clusters on matters related to the work of the ECR Cluster. 
11.Maintain, on behalf of the Assistant Director-General, regular contact with ILO Offices that have external relations functions with regional and international intergovernmental organizations.
12.Provide advice to the Assistant Director-General and managers in the Cluster on the development and implementation of innovative tools to monitor and improve the ILO’s field and headquarters engagement with external actors.
13.Monitor Cluster initiatives and prepare inputs for Cluster planning, programming, and reporting processes in a timely manner.  
14.Perform other relevant duties as may be assigned by the Assistant Director-General.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international relations, development studies, economics, law, political or social 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 required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in external relations and strategic policy coordination, including at the international level. Field experience will be a strong advantage.
Knowledge of the UN system organizations and International Financial Institutions will be an advantage.
Resource mobilisation experience and prior engagement with major ILO donors will also be an advantage.

Languages

In view of the external relations nature of this role, excellent command of English and of one other working languages (French, Spanish) of the Organization is required, together with a working knowledge of the third ILO working language. Excellent command of the three working languages of the Organization will be a strong advantage.

Competencies

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

In-depth knowledge of the work of the Organization, its policies, programmes, and procedures. Political insight and sound judgement. Seasoned knowledge of the broad range of technical subject areas dealt with by the ECR Cluster. Ability to synthesize research and strategies and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects. Excellent writing and analytical skills for the production of relevant reports, including reports for the ILC and the GB. Excellent communication, social media, presentation, and negotiation skills. Excellent organizational and management skills. Tact and persuasiveness in dealing with people. Demonstrated ability to effectively monitor and evaluate work programme and resources. Ability to plan and organize work, establish priorities and to align the work of the Cluster with the Organization’s broader strategic objectives and priorities. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.