JPO - Employment Services and Active Labour Market

JPO - Employment Services and Active Labour Market

Organization: International Labour Organization (ILO) 

Grade: P2

Vacancy no.: JPO/ENTERPRISES/KR/2022/01
Job ID:   11001
Department:  EMPLOYMENT
Organization Unit: EMP/LAB
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Contract type: Junior Professional Officer 

Contract duration: Initially one year with the possibility to extend for a 2nd year

Note: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Korea and is addressed exclusively to candidates of the Republic of Korea.

A) General requirements for candidates applying to the JPO vacancies funded by the Republic of Korea:

1. Korean citizenship

2. Fluency in Korean and English 

3. Completion of advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent)

4. Certfificate of English proficiency test

   - Applicants should score a minimum of (1) TOEFL iBT 100 or (2) TEPS 430 or (3) IELTS 7 or (4) TOEIC 900.

       * Note: TOEFL 'MyBest Scores' are not accepted, and test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date.

5. Not older than 32 years of age as of 31st December 2023 (born after 1 January 1991) The maximum age limit for those who served in the military will be extended as below:

 

The duration of military service of the applicants	Maximum age of applying
less than 1 year	33
From 1 year to less than 2 years	34
2 years and more	35

 

6. Male applicants shall have completed the Korean military service or be exempted from it. Those who will be dischraged from the military service in the year of the application may also apply.

 7. Applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.
 

Background 

The position is located in the Labour Market Services for Transitions Unit (SERVICES) of the Employment, Labour Markets and Youth Branch (EMPLAB) within the Employment Policy Department (EMPLOYMENT).  

EMPLAB has the primary responsibility for supporting constituents for better employment outcomes, including for youth, based on the normative guidelines of C 122 (Employment Policy convention). The Branch develops and advocates for integrated global and country employment policy frameworks, builds knowledge on employment and labour market policies, facilitates tripartite policy dialogue on employment promotion, and supports policy development and implementation by strengthening relevant labour market institutions and building capacities of constituents. Within this framework, the Branch assists governments, and social partners in developing the new generation of gender-responsive National Employment Policies (NEP 2.0) which have a stronger focus on employment diagnostics, pro-employment economic policies for job creation, future of work drivers, gender equality, and labour market programmes and services for transitions over the life course, with age (in particular youth employment) and gender, as cross cutting elements. Due consideration is given to risks factors associated with health, economic and political crises that impact the labour market and employment outcomes. The Branch also provides support to ILO field offices in the development and implementation of employment interventions as components of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and Common Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. 
EMPLAB/SERVICES leads the work on labour market services for transitions, employment services and activation measures, with a focus on Public Employment Services, in a changing world of work. The unit specialises in research, policy and programme assistance and resource mobilisation on job matching, active labour market policies and programmes, and employment services for transitions to decent work. It pays special attention to the specific needs of people in different social groups, age cohorts and gender categories, embedding a strong future of work perspective in its policy and programmatic work, and builds relevant partnerships for coordinated responses.  The main role of the position is to contribute to knowledge and tools development and the provision of guidance and training on labour market services for ILO constituents and other relevant national stakeholders.

EMPLAB/SERVICES’s work contributes to Outcome 3 and Output 3.5 of the Programme and Budget (P&B) for 2022-2023 and Outcome 3, Output 3.4 of the P&B for 2024-25.
 
The Unit’s objectives and work contribute to the implementation of some of the key objectives of the Global Accelerator, the UN’s global initiative to promote jobs and social protection led by the ILO. The Korean government has contributed resources for the GA project as a seed donor. With the opportunity of participation to the GA, the Korean government hopes their national task of expanding active labour market polices and advanced employment services are integral part of the implementation of the GA. 
Meaningful, sustained, and timely contribution to the GA will necessitate strengthening human resource delivery capacity in the Unit. 

The JPO will therefore be expected to contribute to the efforts around core functions of the SERVICES unit especially supporting the ILO-Korea partnership program and contribute to the delivery of some of the key components of the GA. 

Supervision 

Direct Supervision: Head, Labour Market Services for Transitions Unit 

The ILO Global call to action for a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis calls for urgent action to advance a human-centred recovery that is inclusive, sustainable, and resilient through, inter alia, attainment of inclusive economic growth and employment. Governments and social partners committed to “strengthening national systems of employment services and national policies to provide quality employment services for workers and employers to mitigate crisis- induced economic and labour market disruption”. Furthermore, the ILO constituents committed further in the recent resolution concerning the third recurrent discussion on employment to strengthening active labour market policies and employment services and support transitions over the life course with a focus on the participation of women, older people and those in vulnerable groups. 

The JPO will join the Labour Market Services for Transitions Unit in EMPLAB (EMPLAB/SERVICES) and support the team in managing cooperation projects linked to the Department, developing knowledge, tools, and guidelines as well as provision of technical and advisory services for strengthening of employment services, active labour market policies and activation programmes at global and national levels. 

A time-bound work plan will be agreed between the JPO and the supervisor on the first month of the assignment and regular meetings between the JPO and the supervisor about work plan progress will be scheduled every week. 

The supervisor will provide detailed instructions, guidance and coaching on a regular basis and as necessary. Mutual feedback is highly encouraged. Work will be discussed with and reviewed by the supervisor at various stages before completion to verify quality and alignment with ILO policies and procedures.  

The JPO will accompany and assist the supervisor and the team in meetings, training activities, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing events and in technical meetings and missions, when appropriate. The supervisor will ensure a good balance of assignments and opportunities for the JPO based on their background, capacities, and interests; and ensure that the workload is manageable.  

Performance management will be reviewed in accordance with ILO’s Performance Management Framework, as applicable to Junior Professional Officers.

Learning Components and Learning Elements 

Training components: 

The JPO will acquire knowledge and experience through participation in research, tools development, capacity building and advisory services activities under the guidance of the supervisor and relevant Unit team members. To expand her/his knowledge, the JPO will be exposed to various meeting and seminars within the house and outside on key topics in the field and other areas of interest. Furthermore, by engaging with officewide technical collaborative groups the JPO will get to know the ILO better in the promotion of productive employment and decent work.
The JPO will have access to training materials and training opportunities by participating in training workshops organized by the ILO.
Learning elements: 

•    Gain a deep understanding of employment services and active labour market policies in alignment with the Global Accelerator and how they can support a human-centred recovery from the covid-19 crisis.
•    Increase understanding of main labour market trends and employment and labour market policies, with a particular focus on developing and emerging economies.
•    Become familiar with ILO’s institutional and informal coordination mechanisms, in particular ILO programming tools – OBW, CPO planning and implementation reporting, Unit/Branch, and Department meetings and planning tools (Dashboard, Workplan, etc.).
•    Get acquainted with the work of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.
•    Gain experience in labour market data analysis, including drafting of reports, policy briefs and other technical documents.
•    Interact with ILO experts and experts from government agencies, Public -employment Services and Private Employment Agencies, WAPES, WEC, other UN agencies and international organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the direct supervision of the EMPLAB/SERVICE unit, the JPO will perform the following duties and responsibilities: 

•    Supporting effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the part of the ILO-Korea Partnership Program linked to the Employment Policy Department including Global Accelerator in a close collaboration with Korean secondee in the department. 

•    Contributing to the preparation of major publication of national, regional, global, and thematic resources on PES and ALMPs as well as to subsequent and other publications.
•    Contributing to various pieces of research including to role of behavioural sciences in supporting transitions, as well as research on target groups such as youth, women, older workers, refugees, and migrants, etc
•    Contributing to the development and review of guides and tools and developing training programmes.

•    Contributing to research for inputting into the work of the G20, BRICS, etc. on employment services and other international commitments including WAPES, WEC and ENPES, etc.
•    Contributing to the preparation of workshops and technical meetings (preparing power point presentations and background material); assistance in the analysis of country contexts; collecting material in preparation of missions; providing research assistance on selected topics in specific countries.
•    Contributing to the preparation of policy briefs, discussion papers and reports, including drafting specific sections, preparing graphs, collecting and analysing background material and editing
•    Supporting the global campaign for ILO Conventions No.88 and No.181
•    Supporting the work on the updating of the Guide for Regulation of Private Employment Agencies
•    Participate in various officewide technical group meetings on behalf of the Unit/Branch
•    Support the ILO collaboration with regional and global organisations in employment services including WAPES, ENPES and WEC
•    Carrying out other supporting duties on employment policy work as requested by the Unit, the Branch and the Department 

During the period of assignment, the JPO will contribute to the following key output:
•    Preparation of Part II of the 2022 Global Employment Services Report, including background papers that maybe commissioned
•    C88 and C181 Global Campaign
•    Tools and guidance materials in key areas
•    Key knowledge development products
•    Collaboration with WEC and WAPES
•    Training course in employment services and ALMPs at ILOITC or at regional/country level.
•    Supporting the Global Accelerator in the area of employment services

Required Qualifications

Education 

An advanced university degree / Master’s in Economics /Labour Economics /Development or other relevant social sciences which address labour market issues, including labour market policies.

Experience 

Work experience (excluding internships and volunteering): 

Minimum: 

Two years’ experience at national/ international level in research/ knowledge building on employment and labour market policies or related field.

Desirable: 

Work experience in research/ technical work/ advocacy with good understanding of labour market policy issues and proven record of analytical skills. Experience working with national or international research/policy institutions in employment services and ALMPs is an advantage.

Languages 

Fluency in English and other working languages of the ILO (French, Spanish) would be an asset.  

Key Competencies 

Skills required for the assignment: 

Minimum:

Proven analytical and drafting skills, including through publications. Ability to work in a team, take initiative and meet deadlines.  

Desirable: 

Ability to use quantitative analytical tools and very good knowledge of main statistical packages (STATA, SPSS, etc). Exposure to cross-country comparative work would be an asset. 

The candidate is expected to demonstrate and be guided by ILO competencies, specifically: 

1. Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
2. Capacity to work on own initiative as well as cooperate as a team member.
3. The ability to work in a multicultural environment, and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

Conditions of employment

For general information on conditions of employment, please visit: http://ilo.plateau.com/icontent/CUSTOM/ilo/HRD_PMDOCS/Emp_Conds_EN.pdf 

Recruitment process

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

Applicants should submit their application electronically directly to the Organization. All documents should be in English. 

Applications must be received no later than 9 August 2019. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted thereafter by the ILO. 

Documents to be submitted for the application (only complete applications will be considered)

1) A complete application and motivation letter

2) A scanned copy of Resident Register in English

3) A copy of Bachelor's/advanced university degree certificate in English

4) A copy of English proficiency test certificate
     - Applicants should score a minimum of (1) TOEFL iBT 100 or (2) TEPS 430 or (3) IELTS 7 or (4) TOEIC 900
        * Note: TOEFL 'MyBestScores' are not accepted, and test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date.

5) Only for male applicants who have completed the national military service: A certificate of Korean Military Service in English

6) Only for low-income applicants: A scanned copy of a certificate of National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients issued in Korean and its unofficial translation in English.

7) Only persons with disability: A scanned copy of a certificate of person with disability issued in Korean and English 

For general information on the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea, please visit the website of the International Organizations Recruitment Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea:  https://UNrecruit.mofa.go.kr 

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 - @ilo.org - 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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