Multilateral Relations Officer at International labour Organization: (Deadline 4 January 2024)

Introduction

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

1.    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.
2.    Identify and develop new opportunities and strategies for ILO’s outreach to and partnerships with the international community in New York
3.    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.
4.    Foster the effective function of the ILO in various intergovernmental processes and UN bodies.
5.    Monitor policy, operational and organizational developments within the UN System, make recommendations for action and response, and execute agreed strategies.
6.    Proactively maintain current knowledge of ILO areas of work in order to professionally and strategically position with constituents, United Nations and other partners.
7.    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.
8.    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.
9.    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.
10.    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

1.Service the various groups of the Governing Body, the International Labour Conference, regional and sectoral meetings and other official or specialised meetings and support the discussion process. Analyse and provide comments on draft documents  prepared in view of these meetings. Follow up on substantive correspondence and coordinate replies with the relevant technical units. Represent the unit at these meetings and conferences as required.
2.Provide inputs for the unit’s contribution to reports on the Organization’s activities to be submitted to the Governing Body and to the International Labour Conference. Make presentations on behalf of the unit to senior- level visitors and officials. Prepare speeches and country specific reports on substantive topics.
3.Conceptualise, write and prepare study materials and publications on substantive topics and other issues related to the work of the unit.
4.Develop, monitor, assess and coordinate studies on priority areas. Contribute to the management of the relationship between the Organization and its constituents.
5.Provide advice to constituents on a variety of issues and processes such as the promotion of international labour standards and the role of employers’ and workers’ organizations.
6.Organise and service field missions to identify needs and to provide training and advisory services. Identify project possibilities in relation to expressed needs and the known capabilities and resources available and assess the relative feasibility and impact of proposed projects.
7.Design and conduct educational programmes in the relevant substantive field within the framework of the work plan established for the unit and in cooperation with senior specialist in the Multidisciplinary Teams. Act as a resources person at various technical and tripartite meetings.
8.Establish and clear agendas for meetings and conferences. Assist officials requested to write reports and revise or edit them as necessary. Prepare reports and ensure follow-up of actions and decisions stipulated.
9.Contribute to the development of policy guidelines regarding relations with other intergovernmental organisations. Conduct situation analysis, monitor correspondence, prepare contributions, participate in meetings and provide advice and assistance to other departments and units.

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 ILO. 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.

Competencies

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

Technical competencies
Ability to present and advocate policy changes in difficult circumstances and to advise senior-level officials, executive management and constituents as well as to negotiate and discuss sensitive matters with tact and authority. Demonstrated and recognized diplomatic skills in carrying out the objectives and policies of the Organization and ability to deal effectively with headquarters and field units as well as constituents, UN and diplomatic community. Capacity to communicate, relate, negotiate and establish cooperative links with international actors (UN officials, diplomatic community, other actors); excellent analytical and writing skills; good understanding of the political dimensions of the work of the ILO with regard to the international community; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to be able to take part in negotiations in an intergovernmental and inter-agency environments as well as to advocate ILO policies and concerns. Thorough knowledge of the UN system, its specialized agencies and the international community in general. Proven experience in negotiating sensitive issues, including in an inter-government setting. Demonstrated skills and ability to perform complex analyses on a wide range of factors, requirements, policies and priorities for the assessment and implementation of programmes and activities. Ability to draft and revise policy documents. Excellent trouble-shooting and problem solving skills. Thorough knowledge of the programmes, operations and activities of the Organization. Ability to plan and organize work and to provide guidance and training to staff. Ability to provide expert advice. Ability to represent the Organization.

Behavioural competencies
Good team-building capacity. Ability to prioritize tasks and deliver high quality products on tight deadlines. Ability to take initiative, develop and implement new means of action. Discretion, high sense of responsibility, judgment, and diplomacy. Facility in inter-personal and diplomatic contacts; demonstrated sense of initiative and capacity for negotiation; versatility and creativity; ability to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.