Senior Research and Policy Coordinator, Action Programme on Decent Work Outcomes in Supply Chains

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 ILO has established a Priority Action Programme on Supply Chains to provide strong coordination and policy coherence to the Office’s work on decent work in supply chains, trade and investment.  The Action Programme will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the ILO strategy for achieving decent work in supply chains.  The Action Programme will ensure that all ILO means of action are integrated in the design and implementation of holistic services to support ILO constituents to achieve decent work in supply chains.  Relevant means of action include international labour standards and enabling rights, the Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration), research, data and knowledge and development cooperation. The Action Programme will provide policy advice to the Office and support its efforts to achieve policy coherence on supply chains within the UN Multilateral System. 

The Senior Research and Policy Coordinator will play a lead role in coordinating the implementation of key functions of the Action Programme, notably in relation to 
(i)    a coherent research agenda on supply chains that serves the Office’s needs.
(ii)    a single data and knowledge management system that is an effective tool in the preparation of coherent policy advice
(iii)    the disbursement and dissemination of coherent policy advice to relevant target audiences. 

The Senior Research and Policy Coordinator will report to the Director of the Action Programme on Supply Chains. 

Description of Duties

1.    Plan, design and manage the coordination of the ILO research agenda on decent work in supply chains as set out in the AP/Supply Chains strategy.  

2.    Ensure effective coordination across ILO headquarters technical units, branches, departments and field offices, enabling coherence in research and data collection activities related to decent work in supply chains and the optimization of knowledge generation. 

3.    Assess and design appropriate research methodologies related to decent work in supply chains, including with respect to gender-related topics, and promote such methodologies broadly within the Organization and with external partners; write, review and oversee the drafting of research papers, reports as required by the overall AP/Supply Chains strategy; coordinate and provide technical inputs to office documents on decent work in supply chains as required.

4.    Lead discussions and engagement related to policy-relevant research on decent work in supply chains with external entities within the multilateral system, including in the UN system and those within the international trade architecture, and with academic institutions. 

5.    Plan, manage and supervise the work of the technical officers in the AP/Supply Chains as related to research and data; monitor and coordinate research carried out by technical officers and external collaborators.

6.    Design and promote the research and data-related components of Office-wide standard operating procedures to enable the overall coordinated implementation of the Office’s strategy on decent work in supply chains.

7.    Disseminate knowledge, evidence and innovative practices on decent work in supply chains and on the work of the AP/Supply Chains through publications and communications as well as by ensuring representation at events, donor meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.

8.    Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the AP/Supply Chains’ area of work on research, knowledge and practical tools and advise on evaluation of all interventions related to decent work in supply chains across the Office.

9.    Organize, facilitate and make technical contributions at seminars, and other events. 

10.    Lead technical advisory missions as requested by the Director of the AP/Supply Chains.

11.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
 

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in law, social sciences, development studies, economics or other relevant fields.  A Doctorate level degree is a desirable asset.

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’ experience, including at the international level, in research in international development, supply/value chain analysis; corporate social responsibility (particularly in the field of labour standards compliance), or related field.

Languages

Excellent command of English. A working knowledge of a second working language (French, Spanish) of the organization is an advantage. 

Competencies

Proven ability in developing and implementing new research strategies and formulating policy advice. Ability to create a strategic vision.

Recognised technical leadership on the substantive policy issues related to AP/Supply Chains, including for example: corporate social responsibility and strategies to achieve decent work in supply chains; international trade, labour standards, labour markets in developing countries; and international development.

Proven publication records in peer-reviewed academic journals and books in the field of decent work in supply chains.

Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

Excellent written communication including ability to prepare ILO strategy reports in the related field for programme development; ability to draft concise, accessible documents presenting and/or summarizing research findings and their implication for policy and programme design.

Excellent oral communication and presentation skills

High level of understanding of gender equality, gender mainstreaming and equal opportunity principles and approaches, including as related to research.

Ability to lead and manage work teams. Strong team-building skills.

Strong collaborative skills including evidence of collaborative management techniques and ability to coordinate teams engaged in complex technical work.

Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.