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.
Introduction
The project “A feasibility study on an international reference classification of occupations by skill and qualification requirements” aims to assess the feasibility of developing an international reference classification to enhance the comparability of data on occupations, skills and qualifications across countries to facilitate cross-country comparability and mutual recognition of skills and qualifications. The project will also work towards extending the coverage of the ILO and OECD Skills for Jobs Database to G20 countries and beyond, as appropriate, to help facilitate global skills gaps mapping. The project is driven by the G20 member countries’ shared understanding that policymakers and practitioners increasingly require a common, measurable and coherent international classification to improve the availability, granularity, timeliness and comparability of data on demand and supply with respect to skills, occupations and qualifications. Such classification and data are essential for evidence-based decision-making in skills development, and well-managed, regular and skills-based migration policies to address global skills gaps for sustainable and inclusive global growth.
By reviewing existing classification frameworks, such as the United States’ O
NET and the European Unions’ ESCO and making use of new technologies such as Machine Learning fuelled by big data, the project will develop and pilot a prototype international reference classification, focusing on green, digital and care economies and key occupations in selected countries. The project will also upgrade and extend the ILO-OECD Skills for Jobs database based on labour force survey microdata repository, big data analytics and new user experience and user interface design, to enhance the databases’ utility for informing policy making, including for low- and middle-income countries. The project is a direct follow up to the outcome of the 2023 G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, which mandated the ILO and OECD to conduct the feasibility study, and the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, which welcomed the efforts to map global skills gaps through extending the ILO and OECD Skills for Jobs Database.Reporting lines : The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Senior Skills an Employability Specialist. The incumbent will receive technical guidance from the specialists of the Skills and Employability Branch as well as other specialists in various departments.
Description of Duties
Assist in organizing and managing consultations and expert workshops with the G20 Employment Working Group and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring active engagement and effective dissemination of project findings.Conduct comprehensive reviews of existing national, regional and international skills taxonomies, frameworks, methodologies, data sources, and resource requirements, focusing on green, digital and care economies. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.Support the selected G20 member countries in their identification of key occupations based on ISCO-08 classifications within selected sectors based on ISIC Rev 4, and map available qualifications for these occupations from the selected G20 member countries.Provide technical inputs for the development of a prototype design and methodologies for an international reference classification, utilizing innovative solutions including machine learning and text-mining techniques.Conduct data collection, preprocessing and analysis to implement the developed prototype, ensuring accuracy, comprehensiveness and applicability across different national contexts.Respond to requests for data on skill gaps and mismatches across different industries, sectors, and population groups, with an emphasis on low- and middle- income countries, paying special attention to marginalized communities and vulnerable populations.Evaluate the effectiveness of machine learning and text-mining models in classifying occupations, qualifications, and skills, providing recommendations for improvements and adjustments.Coordinate the piloting phase of the prototype international reference classification in the selected G20 member countries, ensuring meaningful stakeholder engagement through consultations for accurate translation, terminology validation, and local adjustment based on stakeholder consultations.Conduct and facilitate national, regional, international workshops to gather insights and disseminate findings, ensuring relevant adjustments are made to the prototype based on practical insights and the ILO tripartite constituents’ and other stakeholders’ feedback.Prepare interim and final technical reports and publications, clearly presenting methodologies, findings, assessment of the feasibility of establishing the international reference classification and technical considerations for the establishment and maintenance of the classification as a sustainable system.Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor collaborate closely with international organizations, governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation, uptake and sustainability of the classification framework.Contribute to upgrading and expanding the ILO-OECD Skills for Jobs database by extending country coverage using labour force survey microdata and big data analytics, while improving the User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, and developing new country-specific analytical features based on the Occupational Shortage and Skills Shortage IndexUndertake other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.Required qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or other relevant 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.
Experience
At least five years of relevant professional experience in data computation and manipulation and in skills analysis and research. Experience with research and quantitative analysis, ideally coding and programming experience (e.g. Python, R, STATA) preferred.
Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and / or education would be an advantage.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of one working language of the Office (English, French, Spanish), and good working knowledge of another one.
Competencies
Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.Ability 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.Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.Good computer skills.Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.Good communication skills, presentation skills. Persuasion and ability to present technical arguments to convince counterparts on a course of action.Ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and work well in a tripartite context.Ability to present / promote the technical area of work and the ILO's position on it to partners using a wide range of techniques and technologies.Good knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of skills needs identification and matching, skills taxonomy and skills harmonization.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 :
Important Information
Recruitment process
