Manager (Employment Policy and Analysis Programme)

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Manager, Employment Policy and Analysis Programme (Grade: P.5)

Date:        1 September 2015

Title:        Manager, Employment Policy and Analysis Programme

Organization unit:   Training Department

Grade:       P.5

Contract duration:  One year, extension of the appointment subject to satisfactory performance

Duty station:   Turin/Italy

Deadline for submission:     30 September 2015

The Centre is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. Applications from qualified candidates from member States in under-represented regions (Africa, the Arab States and Asia-Pacific) would be particularly welcome.

This vacancy is being filled by direct selection by the Director in accordance with Article 1.2(b) of the Staff Regulations.

INTRODUCTION

The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (the Centre) is the training arm of the ILO, the Specialized Agency of the United Nations which promotes social justice and human rights in the world of work. The Centre delivers training, learning and capacity development services to governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other national and international partners, in support of decent work and sustainable development. Its mission is to be the leading provider of learning and training for the world of work. Each year, it delivers over 400 programmes and projects for around 13,000 people from over 180 countries.

The mission of the Employment Policy and Analysis Programme (EPAP) is to strengthen the capacity of governments, social partners and other stakeholders to design, implement and analyse employment and skills development policies and programmes. EPAP runs training, knowledge- sharing and other learning events that cover a range of employment-related topics such as labour market information, the employment potential of economic policies and investment choices, national employment policies, youth employment, skills development and vocational training, and the role of labour market policies and institutions. It gives special attention to disadvantaged groups, notably young men and women who face substantial barriers to entering the labour market, as well as to workers in vulnerable employment.

In developing and delivering its activities, EPAP works in close collaboration with the Employment Policy Department of the ILO and the concerned field specialists and experts. More information on the work of EPAP can be found at http://www.itcilo.org/en/the-centre/programmes/employment-policy-and-analysis-programme-epap

The Programme Manager reports to the Director of Training. This position demands proven technical and management experience as well as the highest standards of integrity, respect for social and organizational norms and firm adherence to the relevant codes of conduct and ethical principles.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general supervision and guidance of the Director of Training, the Programme Manager is responsible for the overall planning and coordination of the training and learning activities of EPAP, including the day-to-day management of a team of professional and support staff. He/she is responsible for:

• analysing trends and institutional capacity development needs pertaining to labour market analysis and employment and skills development policies and programmes;
• developing strategies for specific training programmes, projects and activities, evaluating existing approaches and results, and providing authoritative technical advice and feedback to the Centre’s management;
• conceiving and developing new training curricula and materials in line with the instruments, approaches and operational priorities of the Employment Policy Department of the ILO;
• intervening as appropriate in the design and implementation of training and learning activities;
• mobilizing financial resources for training delivery, including through project making and tenders;
• managing the portfolio of related Masters’ Programmes in collaboration with the management of the Turin School of Development, its academic partners, and UN System partners;
• collaborating and coordinating with the managers of the other training programmes of the Centre to maximize synergies and complementarities;
• networking and pursuing partnership with other training and learning institutions concerned with employment policy and labour market analysis;
• ensuring the technical quality of the training and learning activities delivered by the programme through monitoring and evaluation;
• managing, overseeing and monitoring all budgetary aspects of the programme and its training activities;
• managing and supervising the work of the staff assigned to the programme, including the development of their skills and technical expertise; managing and supervising the work of external collaborators;
• undertaking such other related assignments as may be requested by the Director of Training.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education

Advanced university degree in economics with demonstrated expertise in labour market economics, employment policy design, and/or labour market analysis.

Experience

At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience, of which five years at the international level, in the facilitation and provision of advisory and institutional capacity building services on employment policy and analysis.

Proven successful management experience, including leading a team. Operational field experience is an asset. Practical experience in the development, management and delivery of training and learning programmes is a distinct advantage. Knowledge about the design and delivery of distance learning modalities is considered an additional asset.

Languages

Excellent knowledge (both presentation and writing skills) of English and working proficiency in one of the following languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian.

Core competencies

• Adaptability: ability to adapt to major changes in work tasks or in the work environment.
• Client Service: ability to meet in-house and external needs effectively.
• Collaboration: ability to develop and use collaborative relationships to achieve work goals.
• Communication: ability to convey information clearly to individuals and groups.
• Initiative: ability to take prompt action to accomplish objectives, even beyond what isrequired.
• Integrity: ability to maintain social, ethical and organisational norms and adhere to codes of conduct and ethical principles.
• Knowledge management: ability to develop and update professional knowledge continuously, and to assimilate and apply new job-related information in a timely manner.
• Sensitivity to diversity: ability to accommodate cultural and gender differences to interacteffectively with people of different cultures.

Level competencies

• Decision-making: identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities; comparingdata from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences.
• Facilitating change: encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovativeapproaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitate the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
• Gaining commitment: use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modify one’s own behaviours to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved.
•  Planning and organizing: establish courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently. Monitor the results of delegations, assignments or projects.
• Decision-making: analysis and judgement/problem-solving.
• Managing work: ability to manage one’s time and resources effectively to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Technical competencies

• Good analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Solid knowledge of issues and practices in a number of the main areas of technical expertise covered by the programme (labour market statistics and analysis; employment and labour market policies; skills development and vocational training; youth employment; informal economy)
• Good knowledge of development and technical cooperation issues, concepts and operations
• Ability to provide authoritative technical advice and to formulate procedures and plans
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Ability to organise and delegate work and to supervise staff
• Good diplomatic and negotiating skills
• Resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement
• Good working knowledge of standard computer software
• Ability to work in a team including establishing and maintaining effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds

SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Applications will only be accepted on the Centre’s personal history form available at:http://www.itcilo.org/en/the-centre/about-us/job-opportunities

The application form and a motivation letter should be sent to this dedicated email address only:vacancies@itcilo.org

The deadline for receipt of applications is 30 September 2015, close of business (CET). No applications will be accepted after that date/time.

We regret that receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Applicants will be contacted only if their candidature is under serious consideration.

Conditions of employment are described in Annex I. Depending on his/her qualifications and relevant experience, the candidate may be initially recruited at a grade lower than that of the position.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND INTERVIEW

Applicants will be required to sit a written examination and to be interviewed.