Job: Technical Specialist - Strategic Communications and Impact

Location: Geneva
Closing Date: Thursday, 12 December 2013

Human Resources Development Department

International Labour Office

Vacancy No: TC/2013/BETTER WORK/06

Title: Technical Specialist, Strategic communications and impact

Grade: P.4

Contract type: Fixed-TermAppointment

Duration of contract: one year, with possibility of extension

Date: 14 November 2013

Application Deadline (midnight Geneva time) 12 December 2013

Organization unit: DDG/P GOVERNANCEBETTER WORK

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

This is a Technical Cooperation position therefore the recruitment process falls outside Annex 1 of the ILO Staff Regulations. 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 15 and 16 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations;

- External candidates.

INTRODUCTION

Better Work is a unique partnership program between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Financ e Corporation (IFC). Launched in February 2007, it aims to improve labour standards and competitiveness in global supply chains. Better Work involves the development of both global tools and country level projects.

The focus is on scalable and sustainable solutions which build cooperation between government, employer and worker organizations, and international buyers.Improving labour standards in global supply chains is an important part of a pro-poor development strategy. Ensuring workers' rights and entitlements are protected helps to distribute the benefits of trade. Better Work supports enterprises in implementing the ILO core international labour standards and national labour law.

This helps enterprises compete in global markets where many buyers demand compliance with labour standards from their suppliers. Improved labour standards also assist enterprises be more competitive through higher productivity and quality. These benefits help build the business case and supplier support for improved labour standards.For more information see www.betterwork.org

Description of Duties

The Technical Specialist will lead the team responsible for strategic communications, research and impact of the Better Work Programme.Under the general direction of the Better Work Global Branch Chief, the Head of Strategic Communications and Impact will undertake the following duties:

Leadership\ Management

• Within the overall strategic direction of the Better Work Programme, leads, organizes, plans, supervises and controls the work of the Better Work team responsible for communications and impact, research and policy, and advocacy ( 2 professional staff). The incumbent ensures effective progress of the related activities and collaboration with other Better Work colleagues as well asensuring effective coordination with IFC in determining the priorities for communications, research and impact.
• As a member of the Better Work Senior Management Team , actively contributes to the development and implementation of the overall strategy and effective operations of the Better Work programme. Takes the lead responsibility for the development of policy and strategy in the following areas: Global Strategic Communications and impact strategy, and advocacy.
• Contribute to drafting of Global Program proposals, concept notes, project documents, donor or institutional reports as needed. Prepare and update global work plans, annual budgets, decision and information documents for the Better Work Management Group

Communications

• Drive and further set Better Work's external strategic communication. This includes ensuring that key learnings are translated into targeted messages and shared through targeted channels, position Better Work appropriately in international media, with stakeholders and partners, identify strategic communication opportunities and follow up on those, including thematic campaigns and further develop and maintain Better Work's communication tools and channels (including website, social media etc).
• Lead engagement with country programmes on strategic communication, including the design and implementation of systems and processes that facilitate the production of strategic communication materials for both country and global programmes, facilitate involvement of country programmes in relevant components of impact assessment strategy.
• Further develop and lead strategy for engagement with international media. This includes creation of network with international media, drafting editorials, responses, press releases, talking points for internal Better Work staff and help staff prep for media or important communication events.
• In close coordination with the Better Work Senior Management Team, further develop and implement Better Work's influencing agenda as it relates to the ILO and the World Bank. In doing so, build strong relations with senior ILO and World Bank staff involved in global policy debates, identify relevant learnings from Better Work's impact assessment, translate those into messages and policy notes that ILO and World Bank staff will use and continuously share Better Work key learnings with relevant internal staff.

Stakeholder engagement

• Strategically engage as appropriate in events and conferences and with media which provide an opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership and promote responsible labour practices based on lessons from Better Work.
• Provide guidance on directions about research and impact and ensure that global research and impact strategy reflect country programmes' realities and needs and coordinate translation of relevant impact findings for use at country level.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree in Business Management, Communications, Advocacy, Economics, or related field with demonstrated experience in international development or social sciences.

Experience

• At least seven years of professional experience in the management and implementation of Strategic Communications and\or Advocacy campaigns projects, including at least five years' experience at an international level. Field experience in an LDC is an advantage.

Languages

• Excellent command of English. A working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Proven ability to lead a team and supervise staff. This includes the ability to recruit, motivate, coach and train staff and create opportunities for staff to grow.
• Excellent track record in leading and implementing strategic communication, including engaging with international media and leading advocacy and (media) campaigns;
• Proven ability to translate technical findings to advance policy positions, including leading engagement with and influence international policy makers, international media, international organisations, and international buyers in their global supply chains;
• Technical knowledge of relevant policy areas such as; International Labour Standards and application at the workplace, corporate social responsibility, remediation, global supply chains and the role of the tripartite constituents in these issues;
• Ability to develop and provide authoritative policy and technical advice and guidance. Sound political judgement;
• High- level understanding of research and impact measurement processes;
• Demonstrated ability to define and resolve problems in a manner that reflects the interests of stakeholders; the ILO's commitment to fundamental principles and rights, social dialogue and tripartism; and the IFC's mission of supporting sustainable private sector development;
• High-level communications skills, both oral and written including capacity to represent the organisation and operate in a multi-cultural environment;
• High level of understanding of gender equality, gender mainstreaming and equal opportunity principles and approaches.

Additional Information:

All applicants must attach a 2 page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. In doing this they should have a heading for each competency and explain in 2 -3 paragraphs to the selection committee how their skills and experience show that meet this. Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview

More Info and Application