General Introduction
Under article 4.2, paragraphs (d) and (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in grades D1 and D2, as well as in grade P5 for all Director positions in field offices, are made by direct selection by the Director-General.
In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their curriculum vitae online by the above date (midnight Geneva time).
The following are eligible to apply:
Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.

External 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.
Within the context of the ILO’s efforts to promote staff mobility, any appointee should expect to take up different assignments (field and Headquarters) during their career. Equally, previous field experience is considered desirable for this position.
The ILO values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications 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 ilojobsilo.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 can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States

Introduction
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the UN agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of its Member States to advance efforts to promote decent work throughout the world. The ILO is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment, enhance social protection and strengthen social dialogue in handling work-related issues.
The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for West Africa and ILO Country Office for Senegal, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau (DWT/CO-Dakar), based in Dakar, Senegal. The DWT provides technical support to Senegal, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The DWT provides high-quality, timely and integrated technical support to these countries in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and outcome-based work plans.

As Director of the DWT, the incumbent provides strategic leadership and planning and conducts context analysis on development trends in the sub-region; she/he ensures the adoption of an integrated approach to the promotion of the Decent Work Agenda with particular focus on the policy outcomes of the ILO, international labour standards as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In coordination with respective Country Directors, she/he is responsible for technical support to ILO tripartite constituents through a team of technical specialists. As Country Director, she/he serves as programme manager of ILO activities in the countries covered and ensures that constituents are provided with high-quality, timely, well-coordinated and integrated services responsive to their needs and tailored to their realities. The Country Office Director leads the process to promote international labour standards and appropriate follow-up of the supervisory bodies’ recommendations as well as actively promoting tripartism and social dialogue. She/he also plays a critical role as the ILO representative in the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the countries covered by the Country Office to promote the Decent Work Agenda as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs) and other joint initiatives anchored in the SDGs. This includes the active engagement in the UNSDCF and other agreed strategy processes, including through the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA), UN results groups and joint work plans, in support to Member States to implement the 2030 Agenda and meet the SDGs.

The Director reports to the ILO Regional Director of the region and is responsible for keeping him/her informed of significant political, policy and technical developments within the countries covered by the DWT/CO. The incumbent works in close cooperation with the Regional Office, other DWTs in the region as well as technical units at headquarters, the Bureaux for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) and Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) and the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department, as required.


Description of Duties
• Lead efforts to provide support and guidance to constituents in identifying and addressing their country priorities including in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs). Direct the formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the substantive work programmes of the DWT to ensure that they effectively support the Country Offices in responding to the needs of constituents within the framework of the DWCPs and agreed work plans.
• Provide direction, leadership and guidance to a team of technical specialists in the DWT/CO, in consultation with the Regional Office, technical units at ILO headquarters and ACT/EMP and ACTRAV as appropriate. In collaboration with ADGs, provide support to leverage expertise from technical units in support of DWCPs and to obtain and distribute adequate technical, financial and other resources to implement the agreed work programmes of the DWTs to meet country priorities and to respond to unplanned developments or crisis.
• Facilitate intra and inter-regional technical coordination and support as well as exchanges of knowledge to respond to priority needs.
• Catalyze policy development and act as an upstream policy adviser by promoting the Decent Work Agenda dimension to social, economic and environmental policy makers and through dialogue with constituents, UN organizations and other partners. Contribute to high-quality policy analysis and stimulate research, data collection and analysis of key issues and themes in accordance with ILO global, regional and national priorities.
• Direct the work of the Office and ensure the effective management of all financial, human and other resources in accordance with ILO regulations, rules, policies, procedures and the results-based management framework. Ensure that key risks are identified, assessed, documented and managed to contribute to the achievement of agreed results and that risk management is embedded in all core processes and functions.
• Ensure that all staff under his/her responsibility optimizes the use of resources for the achievements of results and that they are held accountable for their performance. Ensure timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and feedback mechanisms.
• Direct the formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the substantive work programme of the Country Office with support from technical units at ILO headquarters as necessary. Manage country activities so that visible, measurable results are achieved within the framework of DWCPs as applicable, consistent with the ILO’s Strategic Plan and approved Programme and Budget and aligned with the respective national sustainable development plans and strategies as well as UNSDCFs. Direct, facilitate and report on programme implementation and resource use against stated outcomes, indicators, targets and quality standards, and cooperate in the completion of ILO evaluations.
• Guide and support appropriate country specific interventions by providing strong and evidence based recommendations for policy development and facilitating the design, implementation and evaluation of national Decent Work Agenda strategies and plans.

Optional section (only if needed)
• Identify opportunities for and actively foster strategic innovative partnerships for development cooperation in areas of ILO’s mandate and, in cooperation with the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department, mobilize resources to achieve DWCP priority outcomes. Facilitate dialogue between constituents and development partners, including the UNCT(s).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with constituents and enhance synergies and collaboration with decision-makers and the wider public to raise the visibility of the ILO. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with the United Nations and multilateral system and facilitate the mainstreaming of the Decent Work Agenda into the development and implementation of the UNSDCFs and other joint initiatives anchored in the SDGs.
• Represent ILO and determine the most appropriate form of representation in UNCTs for the countries covered under the leadership of their United Nations Resident Coordinators (UNRCs) in line with the mutual accountability framework. Share updates on important meetings and discussions with tripartite constituents and other partners. Contribute to the work of the UNCTs by participating in setting annual UNCT priorities and agreeing on UNCT participation priorities in annual work plans as agreed with the Regional Director. Identify important opportunities for ILO engagement in non-resident countries. Provide feedback on the performance of the UNRC within UNDCO procedures and facilitate feedback from the UNRC on UNCT participation to the Regional Director. Regularly update the UNRCs and UNCTs on the implementation of ILO-related outcomes within the UNSDCF and 2030 Agenda.

• Oversee and manage up-to-date information on country-level policy developments under the overall framework of the Decent Work Agenda contributing to the ILO’s centralized knowledge system and in alignment with ILO publication policy. Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive communication and knowledge management plans and strategies. Coordinate appropriate ILO representation at meetings, seminars and conferences and ensure the delivery of strategically formulated and targeted interventions and messages.
• Promote a harmonious working environment which encourages learning and in which all staff can discharge their professional responsibilities in an efficient and effective way and are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy. Encourage knowledge sharing and create linkages and synergies between development cooperation and regular budget activities.
• Coordinate the day-to-day response to the safety and security of ILO staff under their supervision and the UN Security Management Team at the respective duty stations to ensure that all staff participate in security training exercises and comply with applicable security policies and instructions.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Regional Director.

Desirable profile:
The set of qualifications below is indicative of the type of experience, education, language skills, and competencies expected for this position.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, economics, political or social science, management/administration or other relevant area. 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
Experience At least 12 years of professional experience, including experience at the international level and in the field, in the formulation, implementation and management of development programmes and/or technical advisory services, and in the area of labour and social policies. Extensive experience in a managerial role including managing teams. Experience within the United Nations System would be an advantage.

Languages
Excellent command of French and English.

Competencies
In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
The ILO core competencies at the managerial level are required and the following are of particular importance. Knowledge of the countries covered by the DWT. Sound knowledge of the broad range of technical subject areas dealt with by the Organization and ability to advise senior level constituents on technical issues. Good knowledge of the UN system, the Organization’s programmes and of its administrative and financial policies and procedures. Excellent communication, negotiation and diplomatic skills, political astuteness and ability to represent the Organization and deliver messages effectively to a broad range of audiences. Ability to promote ILO’s principles, policies and objectives successfully and to set an example by modeling behaviours that align with the Organization’s vision, mission and values. A champion of change with ability to identify opportunities, manage and drive transformational change and innovation. Ability to plan, mobilize and manage resources effectively. Ability to build and enhance donor relations, internal and external partnerships and to build synergies and consensus with a range of stakeholders. Good understanding of constituents’ needs and commitment to deliver quality results. Ability to lead and manage a team of technical specialists. Ability to develop effective relationships with colleagues and team members and to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing and cooperation among teams. Ability to guide and motivate staff towards meeting challenges and achieving objectives and to use performance reviews to enhance capacity. Ability to take decisions on areas of critical importance and to take responsibility. 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.
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.

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.
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.