The ILO Office for the United Nations (ILO-New York) is responsible for ensuring close liaison with the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) and other UN bodies in New York, as well as with national delegations, representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations accredited to the UN and employers' and workers' organizations participating in or observing UN activities. The New York Office keeps ILO headquarters and external offices promptly and continuously informed of developments in the UN relating to ILO fields of activity and ensures that ILO core priorities and interests, policies and experience are appropriately presented to the concerned UN fora, including the General Assembly and ECOSOC. It contributes, in consultation with headquarters, to the coordination of follow-up activities on major UN conferences. The Office is also responsible for the representation of the ILO at UN and other meetings in New York and for the preparation of regular reports to the Governing Body on developments in the UN system.
This position will manage ILO entry points into the UN inter-governmental processes and inter-agency processes, requiring effective diplomatic skills and covering a range of technical areas, in support of achieving ILO strategic outcomes in the United Nations. Under the direct supervision of the Special Representative and Office Director, and in close liaison with the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department (PARTNERSHIPS), and the relevant departments at headquarters, the Multilateral Relations Officer will undertake the following duties:
Specific Duties:
Enhance the ILO’s relationship with governments and the Permanent Missions, establishing protocols and ensuring the appropriate platforms for inter-agency and intergovernmental cooperation/exchange to elevate policy priorities and engage in new initiatives.
Identify and develop new opportunities and strategies for ILO's outreach to and partnerships with the international community in New York
Conduct discussions and negotiations with national governmental delegations to the UN, with the UN Secretariat and other UN agencies based or represented in New York as well as representations of their international organizations and non-governmental delegations on matters of ILO concern.
Foster the effective function of the ILO in various intergovernmental processes and UN bodies.
Monitor policy, operational and organizational developments within the UN System, make recommendations for action and response, and execute agreed strategies.
Proactively maintain current knowledge of ILO areas of work in order to professionally and strategically position with constituents, United Nations and other partners.
Draft and/or present reports, documents, talking points and statements related to the ILO's mandate, policies, interests, competencies and programmes, for formal and informal meetings.
Organize and participate in international conferences, seminars, workshops, symposia and meetings on behalf of the ILO, including meetings of researchers and practitioners to debate and review key issues of importance to the activities undertaken by the UN intergovernmental processes in line with the ILO's agenda.
Maintain active contact and engagement with sectors, departments, and units at UN headquarters as well as ILO headquarters and in the field on areas and issues of pertinence to ILO's mandate and report promptly on such developments with recommendations for action, as appropriate.
Participate in the general preparation, implementation and evaluation of the Office's workplan.
These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:
Generic Duties:
Draft contributions to policy documents on programming and management, including strategic planning documents, Programme and Budget proposals, programme implementation reports, and programme and thematic evaluations. Draft programme directives and guidelines for programme managers, and provide interpretation of such material. Provide expert advice on programme objectives, priorities, operating budgets, available resources and resources mobilization.
Initiate, plan, coordinate and conduct analyses of complex programme proposals and activities. Review past and current operating budgets and analyze trends in patterns of resource allocation. Identify priorities for action and integrate them with action plans.
Prepare comparative analyses of operating programmes by studying costs in relation to objectives achieved or services delivered. Advise managers on implications and needs within the framework of strategic objectives.
Support programmes in applying results based programming and management tools. Advise sector and programme managers on performance indicators, measurement and targets, and on related management questions. Negotiate improvements.
Monitor programme implementation to ensure conformity with the organization’s programme and budgetary objectives. Propose changes in programme orientation and work methods. Advise programme managers and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions to enhance performance. Initiate, plan, coordinate and conduct analyses of specific performance problems.
Responsible for organization-wide tasks such as recommending the allocation of special category resources, recommending supplementary resources and deficit financing, and/or drafting programme activities reports or programme implementation reports.
Carry out in-depth studies on management issues, with emphasis on cost efficiency and on information and communications technology applications. Analyze programme and budget proposals and other resource requests from management and service programmes. Recommend changes in orientation and resource levels.
Analyze the distribution and use of resources for the regular budget for technical cooperation, extra budgetary programme support income and other special resources. Recommend resource levels and guidance.
Coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, seminars and training events on programming matters. Provide relevant training. Represent the organization at meetings, conferences and reviews, as well as on missions.
Lead programme and thematic evaluations. Provide advice on evaluation terms of reference.
Coordinate the preparation of comments on, or contributions to, the programming documents of regional and area offices.
Required qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree in international relations, business administration, economics, political sciences, social sciences, law, development studies or in any other field relevant to the
ILO's mandate. 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.
Experience:
At least seven years of professional experience working in international development matters and in the analysis of international developments and cooperation; exposure to, and demonstrated effectiveness in, diplomatic contacts and official representations; direct experience and thorough understanding of the UN System and its intergovernmental bodies in charge of economic and social development; previous involvement in major UN inter-governmental negotiating processes of direct relevance to the 1LO.
At least five years professional experience of direct and successful experience in 1LO inter-agency affairs and involvement in major international conferences and fora. Experience in the work and functioning of the UN intergovernmental bodies and the provision of substantive support to global UN conferences and intergovernmental negotiations and donor relations required.
Languages:
Excellent command of English. An additional ILO working language (French, Spanish) may be considered an advantage.
