Unit Head – Transport and Maritime Sectors

Grade: P5

Vacancy no.: RAPS/6/2023/SECTOR/01

Publication date: 24th November 2023

Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 4th January 2024

Job ID: 11429

Department: SECTOR

Organization Unit: SECTOR/MARITRANS

Location: Geneva

Contract type: Fixed Term

The following are eligible to apply:

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

Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply.

Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.

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 ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers' and business membership organizations, and workers' organizations).

Applicants 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 can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States

In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.

Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.

The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, candidates applying for the professional category vacancies who have not already successfully completed their probationary period within the ILO and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed they may be required to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.

The position is located in the Transport and Maritime Unit of the Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR).

SECTOR is responsible for providing support to ILO constituents in addressing employment and labour opportunities and issues in specific economic and social sectors at the global, regional and national levels. The sectoral approach to decent work cuts across the entire Decent Work Agenda.

The work of the Department includes:

consensus building on sector-specific policies and practices through social dialogue, including through tripartite sectoral meetings at the global, regional and national level; the promotion of ratification and effective implementation of international labour standards, with special attention to sectoral labour standards; the development and dissemination of knowledge and information relating to sector and/or industry-specific economic and employment trends; policy-oriented research on decent work issues in specific sectors; the implementation of development cooperation projects as well as the delivery of policy advice and capacity building programmes for tripartite constituents; and the promotion of policy coherence on key sectoral issues through strategic partnerships with other United Nations agencies, with multilateral organizations and with other stakeholders.

SECTOR is also responsible for the coordination of Office-wide efforts for the promotion of decent work in the rural economy and the Department contributes to the ILO's work on the promotion of decent work in supply chains.

The Transport and Maritime Unit promotes decent work in shipping, fisheries, ports, inland navigation, road transport, rail transport, civil aviation and urban transport.

The main role of the position is [to support ILO constituents – governments, employers and workers – to advance decent work in the transport and maritime sectors, and to manage the Transport and Maritime Unit.

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Director of the Sectoral Policies Department

The Senior Specialist works in collaboration with other specialists in Headquarters and in DWT/CO teams, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the global, regional, country and sectoral levels.

1. Lead the work of a technical unit and ensure the effective management of all financial, human and other resources in accordance with ILO standards, the results-based management framework and through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and other feedback mechanisms and plan, manage and coordinate a broad programme of work in the transport and maritime sectors. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and manage staff and consultants as applicable.

2. Lead the design, development, implementation, monitoring and promotion of related programmes, strategies, approaches and policies with a view to enhancing and positioning the Organization's technical leadership in these areas. Lead, manage and coordinate high-level advocacy and technical and policy advisory services at the global / regional / subregional / national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, fostering the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies.

3. Provide thought leadership in areas of importance to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders, including through the continuous strategic positioning of the Organization and its mandate within the United Nations system. Act as a catalyst in formulating policies on critical issues related to the promotion of decent work across ILO's strategic objectives and build bridges and synergies between strategic policy areas. Coordinate cross-organizational teams/initiatives to ensure integration and policy coherence to advance broad programme development.

4. Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide authoritative policy and technical advice concerning the transport and maritime sectors to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.

5. Support ILO constituents in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of employers' and workers' organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects.

6. Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Build and stimulate multidisciplinary initiatives and activities with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.

7. Lead innovative gender-mainstreamed global, regional and country specific research projects on decent work issues, in particular related to the transport and maritime sectors, provide clear and operational policy recommendations, including at sectoral level and ensure an integrated approach, with a view to influencing policy agendas of countries and recommendations of other international agencies and multilateral organizations.

8. Develop and lead/coordinate the development of sectoral policies, initiatives, strategies and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents' needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the global / regional / and country levels. Provide advice and technical support to constituents and other stakeholders on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.

9. Lead the development, review and quality control of major reports, publications, documents and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.

10. Support the strengthening of ILO constituents' capacity to design and implement policies and measures in the area of land, sea and air transport and maritime, taking into account the need for policy coherence and an integrated approach to decent work. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead/coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events, including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable.

11. Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships and broker collaborative relationships to benefit the broad areas of the Decent Work Agenda with traditional and non-traditional partners/entities of the UN system / other international organizations / regional and national actors / private institutions / multilateral development banks / international financial institutions / research institutions / academia, civil society / other key stakeholders / with a view to advancing ILO's strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence / joint programme design and implementation / promoting awareness of ILO's values and strategic objectives / resource mobilization / influencing policy and financing decisions in support of decent work objectives.

12. Convene and represent the ILO at major international/regional meetings and events, including with strategic players, national and international development partners, international financial institutions and multilateral and regional institutions of the UN system and other key stakeholders/organizations. As the ILO's technical representative, play a key role in promoting and advocating the Decent Work Agenda.

13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Advanced level university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, economics, social science or other field related to transport and maritime sectors.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other field related to one or more of the transport or maritime sectors 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.

At least ten years of experience in the field of labour law, economics or labour relations, including at the international level. Experience relevant to the transport (road transport, rail transport, civil aviation or urban transport) or maritime sectors (shipping, fishing, inland waterways or ports) would be a considerable advantage.

Excellent command of one working language (English, French, Spanish) of the Organization and a working knowledge of a second working language. One of these must be English.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following are required:

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches in the area(s) of [transport – land, sea or air with the ability to lead and oversee their development and implementation suited to evolving needs and priorities. Detailed and comprehensive expertise in own area to serve as the reference expert across the Organization.

Excellent knowledge of the full range of policy areas and advanced understanding of the ILO's mandate. Ability to maintain a comprehensive wealth of knowledge of related external issues.

Technical leadership skills.

Managerial skills for the effective management of human and financial resources. Ability to provide clear direction and to develop, inspire and encourage high-performing, pioneering and motivated individuals and teams, specialized in the technical area of work.

Excellent research and analytical skills.

Excellent communication skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills.

Excellent drafting skills.

Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.

Ability to build and negotiate strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders and to create innovative opportunities for promoting synergies and ensure organizational results and success over the immediate, mid-term and long-term horizon.

Ability to represent the Organization with authority and credibility and position it as a leader in transport or maritime sectors. Ability to articulate the Organization's mandate/strategic objectives/programmes when formulating and delivering information and presentations and adapt presentation methodology to address the needs of different audiences.

Ability to mobilize resources.

Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive 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.
• The first contract will be issued for a twenty-four month period.
• 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.

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

Important Information

Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at

Recruitment process

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

Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.

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 assessment centres, 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.

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