Senior Economist (P4)

International Labour Organisation
Geneva - Switzerland
S: US$127,659-US$160,987

Deadline for application: 3 April 2017

Links to apply:
All vacancies: https://erecruit.ilo.org/

Specific vacancy: https://erecruit.ilo.org/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?jobinfo_uid_c=35214&vaclng=en

General introduction

The following are eligible to apply:

- External candidates.

- Internal candidates. Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stage.

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and letters of appointment, successful candidates for positions in the Professional category would be expected to take up different assignments (field and Headquarters) during their career, the desirable length of an assignment in any specific position being two to five years, following which the incumbent should be willing to move to another assignment and/or duty station.

Within the context of the Office's renewed efforts to promote mobility, staff members seeking mobility are encouraged to apply to vacancies. Mobility will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stages.

The ILO values diversity among its staff. We welcome applicants from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to erecruit@ilo.org.

Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future, would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries is in Appendix I.

Successful completion of the Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates.

Conditions of employment are described in Appendix II.

INTRODUCTION
The position is located in the Research Department (RESEARCH), which conducts research on labour, employment and social protection issues to contribute to policy formulation for ILO constituents at the global level. The main purpose of the Department is to assess major trends - including new technologies, demographic change, the scarcity of natural resources, the evolving role of finance and emerging patterns in development and globalization - in relation to their socioeconomic impact. Core research issues also include the assessment of "what works", in terms of decent work outcomes.

The Research Department produces flagship publications such as the annual World Employment and Social Outlook as well as studies that examine the inter-linkages between economic growth and social equity. The main task for this position is to write reports, based on collecting, organising, and analysing data, including micro-data. Research and analytical work carried out in the department contribute to a better understanding of the trends shaping the world of work and the role of decent work and productive employment in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), policy tools available to address the trends and shape the future outcomes with enhanced capacity of ILO constituents to seize new opportunities. Members of the group work closely with ILO colleagues from RESEARCH, the Department of Statistics, Technical Departments and Regional and Country offices. The position will report to a Chief within the Department.

Description of Duties
Specific duties

1. Contributes to flagship publication and serves as lead author on think pieces, working papers and policy briefs. This includes but is not limited to the World Employment and Social Outlook as well as the Studies on Growth with Equity series that present evidence to ILO constituents in a policy-oriented, non-technical manner, for both internal audiences and international fora such as the ILO Governing Body and ILO regional meetings, notably on developing countries. This includes co-ordinating publication processes.

2. Organize data on labour markets, and/or supervise collection and analysis, including cleaning and overseeing quality assurance, using statistical methods and quantitative models where needed to analyze labour markets, including developing countries. Conduct high-quality labour market statistical analysis, including econometric analysis for publication in ILO reports, flagship reports of the Research Department, and other special reports, including reporting to the G20.

3. Develop and compile indicators and conduct statistical and econometric analysis on the basis of microdata from household and establishment surveys in order to provide inputs to statistical and analytical products of the Department.

4. Formulate evidence-based policy advice for ILO constituents based on econometric and statistical analysis related to the assessment of labour market and social policies and their impact on labour market outcomes and dynamics and effectiveness at achieving the SDGs.

5. Design and conduct research work- using both quantitative and qualitative research methods - on major trends, needs and policy options concerning the impact of labour market and social policies on labour market and social outcomes; also supervise junior technical officers and external collaborators who carry out such work. Collaborate with research centres, other international organizations, such as the OECD, the regional banks and the World Bank, in related joint policy-oriented research projects.

6. Undertake economic research and analysis for policy development in the economics of labour markets in developing countries including emerging economies, in the broader context of global economic development. This includes assessing cross-countries and country experiences of key labour markets issues based on theoretical and empirical analysis.

7. Develop guidelines and training support for constituents to become more informed regarding labour market and social protection indicators - in particular indicators within the SDGs - and how best to monitor them and ensure international comparability.

8. Develop and seek funding for technical cooperation projects covering thematic research at the regional or global level, in close consultation with ILO's constituents, and concerned programmes at headquarters and the field.

9. Present key policy conclusions and recommendations at high-level international meetings. Give presentations in a variety of settings, especially within the ILO's regional fora to support constituents.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

1. Design and promote a wide range of special subject-matter-related programmes, This involves: re-analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics and information or policy guidelines, in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognised technical specialisation.

2. Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes.

3. Provide policy advice to ILO's constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of technical cooperation activities

4. Formulate and submit project proposals and seek funding.

5. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.

6. Undertake technical advisory missions independently or in collaboration with other specialists.

7. Conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings and training courses.

8. Prepare draft recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO Recommendations or Conventions on related technical fields.

9. Write manuals and/or training guides on related topics.

10. Disseminate information on programmes through publications and, press releases, as well as ensuring representation at donors' meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.

11. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by junior technical officers and external collaborators.

12. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, regional meetings and conference reports).

13. Participate in tripartite reviews on technical cooperation activities and international meetings and conferences.

Required Qualifications
Education
PhD in economics or other social science with strong background in labour issues, quantitative methods, and economic analysis.
Experience
Eight years' experience at the national level or five years at the international level in research of which a majority in applied research and policy analysis in the area of labour markets and employment policies, which should include experience in developing, analysing, and maintaining statistical databases. Extensive experience in research required; labour market research with a view to informing policy reform and field research would be a strong advantage.
Demonstrated experience (proven publications record) in analysing complex micro data, using statistical methods and quantitative models for analysing labour statistics at an advanced level. Experience in developing and maintaining large scale statistical databases.

Languages
Excellent command of one working language of the Organization (English, French, Spanish) and working knowledge of a second. One of these languages should be English. Knowledge of a third working language an advantage.

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

Technical competencies
Ability to: synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; formulate new concepts and methodologies; develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and ILC, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor technical cooperation activities and projects.

Ability to: supervise data collection, data cleaning and quality assurance for analysis of policy implications; support technical cooperation for constituents at national, regional, and/or at global levels. Expert knowledge in the use of statistical and econometric software (e.g. SPSS, STATA). Ability to undertake analysis of micro-data, including labour force surveys, longitudinal surveys and administrative data; synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on labour related issues; clearly explain economic issues and statistical concepts to experts and other interested audiences; conceptualize statistical problems and find solutions to ensure the relevance and validity of statistical information for dissemination.

Behavioural competencies
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

Additional Information:
Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place between April and July 2017. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.

APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR WRITTEN TEST.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

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APPENDIX I
Angola Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Austria Azerbaijan
Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belize
Brazil Brunei Darussalam Cabo Verde, Republic of Cambodia China
Congo Cook Islands Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Djibouti Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Gabon Gambia
Georgia Grenada Guatemala Guyana Haiti
Iceland Indonesia Iraq Japan Kazakhstan
Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liberia
Libya Maldives, Republic of the Malta Marshall Islands Mozambique
Namibia Nicaragua Oman Palau Panama
Papua New Guinea Paraguay Poland Qatar Republic of Korea
Russian Federation Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa
San Marino Saudi Arabia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore
Slovakia Solomon Islands Somalia South Sudan, Republic of Sri Lanka
Suriname Swaziland Tajikistan Tonga Turkmenistan
Tuvalu United Arab Emirates United States of America Uzbekistan Vanuatu
Venezuela Yemen

APPENDIX II CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (extract)
- The first contract will be issued for a twelve-month period (for Geneva-based positions) and a twenty-four month period (for non-Geneva based positions).
- A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment.
- Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance.


Grade: P.4 Salary and post adjustment US$
Salary Minimum 70647
rising to Maximum 89091
Post adjustment for Geneva Minimum 57012
Maximum 71896

Other allowances:

Family allowance
Children's education grant (per child per year)
Pension and Health Insurance schemes;
30 working days' annual leave;
Settling-in Grant;
Entitlement to transport expenses of personal effects;
Repatriation Grant (if applicable);
Home-leave travel with eligible dependants every two years;
Rental subsidy (if applicable).

While the successful candidate will be initially working in Geneva Geneva, he/she may be assigned to any duty station designated by the Director-General of the ILO.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form.
To apply, please visit ILO's e-Recruitment website at: erecruit.ilo.org. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, a

Job summary