Technical Specialist P4

Grade: P4

Vacancy no.: DC/ADG/GRD/P/2024/02

Publication date: 23 January 2024

Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 07 February 2024

Job ID: 11574

Department: ADG/GRD

Organization Unit: ADG/GRD

Location: Geneva

Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration:one year

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to

The Research, Innovation, and Strategic Engagement Project to Promote Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Globally (RISE) aims to strengthen policies and improve the capacity of governments, employers' and workers' organizations, and other actors in society to respect, promote, and realize freedom of association and collective bargaining (FACB). The project, funded by the US Department of Labor, will be implemented in overlapping phases and will include activities at the global, regional, and national levels. The project strategy seeks to continuously build and promote the application of critical knowledge needed to inform policy choices, strengthen the implementation of FACB in target countries, regions, and sectors, and communicate the impact and outcomes effectively. The project seeks to achieve three complementary outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Improved knowledge base on freedom of association, collective bargaining, and industrial relations;

• Outcome 2: Improved capacity of governments, employers and their organizations, and worker organizations to effectively realize freedom of association and collective bargaining; and

• Outcome 3: Global, national, sector, and enterprise-level stakeholders learn about and promote innovative approaches and take action for the realization of FACB.

The project falls under the technical responsibility of the Governance, Rights and Dialogue Cluster of the ILO (ADG/GRD). ADG/GRD encompasses the functions and responsibilities of four policy departments: International Labour Standards (NORMES), Governance and Tripartism (GOVERNANCE), Conditions of Work and Equality (WORKQUALITY) and Sectoral Policies (SECTOR).

The ILO seeks to recruit an Industrial Relations Project Officer within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Project. The Project Officer will support the Chief Technical Adviser with the design, development and monitoring of activities, including research, statistics, knowledge development, labour law and policy reform, social dialogue, capacity building, and activities related to innovative approaches, monitoring service contracts and coordinating with backstopping units. S/he will strengthen the capacity of the project to deliver sound policy advice on freedom of association, labour relations and collective bargaining, including to provide technical and policy advice to ILO constituents on how to support sound and productive labour relations; support freedom of association and collective bargaining, including through the development of mechanisms aimed at the prevention and effective remediation of violations of FACB rights; improve the effectiveness of collective bargaining; promote information, consultation and cooperation at the workplace; and enhance the contribution of these institutions to equitable outcomes.

The Industrial Relations Project Officer will report to the Chief Technical Adviser responsible for the project implementation and will receive overall strategic and policy guidance from the Assistant Director-General of the Governance, Rights and Dialogue Cluster and technical support from relevant ILO Departments and Branches. S/he will work closely with relevant staff in HQ and in the field offices. The technical backstopping of the project will be decided upon finalization of the ongoing restructuring of part of the Cluster.

1. Responsible for the implementation of technical activities of the Project through the provision of advice and support to the Chief Technical Adviser, technical inputs, planning and quality control in conformity with ILO policies and strategies and the project strategy, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines.

2. Oversee production and control the quality, or directly produce knowledge products and research materials to assist in the development and promotion of policies, strategies, capacity building materials and implementation tools related to freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations. Oversee development and control the quality, or directly develop policy and promotion materials and technical manuals or guidelines.

3. Analyse and provide expert advice – based on international labour standards, comments by the ILO supervisory system, and comparative labour law and practice – on draft policies, legislation, regulation or other reform proposals submitted to the ILO for comment prior to adoption.

4. Through collaboration with the ILO Statistics Department, provide technical support for the inclusion of industrial relations questions in labour force surveys and updating global estimates; provide technical support for the expansion of existing ILO data on industrial relations;

5. Design research framework and lead or carry out studies that contribute to the development of new methods, and prepare analytical reports and extract lessons learnt. Disseminate research reports to all relevant stakeholders.

6. Provide technical inputs to the knowledge hub on freedom of association and collective bargaining and related metrics; translate complex research findings into easily digestible summaries to make the content more accessible to a broader audience; and ensure that all digital content on the knowledge hub is in full compliance with ILO and USDOL accessibility requirements.

7. Provide technical advice and technical backstopping to project partners and monitor the implementation of recommendations on project technical activities.

8. Assess innovative proposals requesting project support, work with submitters to address questions and shortcomings, advise the CTA on the quality, relevance and strategic fit of proposals, and support the design and delivery of ILO interventions.

9. Identify training needs, develop training materials and organize training workshops to enhance capacity building. Participate as resource person in project capacity-building activities.

10. Contribute to the design and monitoring of project activities leading to improved quality and effective delivery of project expected outcomes in the assigned technical area.

11. Represent the Project and the ILO at international, regional and national fora.

12. Participate in the production of promotional materials which target policy makers, programme managers and the general public that assist in promoting ILO technical recommendations and standards and enhance ILO visibility.

13. Promote ILO policies on freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

14. Undertake other duties as required.

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in economics, law, management, social science, industrial relations or related field.

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.

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in industrial relations, including at the international level.

Excellent knowledge and command of English and good working knowledge of another official ILO language (French or Spanish) is required.

– Demonstrated capacity to provide relevant and effective technical advice on the technical area and related topics.

– Ability to conceptualise, design, plan and implement research work, including analysis of complex cross-national practices and data sets.

– Ability to participate effectively in technical missions.

– Ability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.

– Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.

– Excellent writing skills to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation. Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.

– Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools, and qualitative and quantitative techniques.

– Good computer skills.

– The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.

To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account – – should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

Apply for job

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where ) you saw this internship posting.