Grade: P4
Vacancy no.: RAPS/2/2022/WASHINGTON/01
Publication date: 31 August 2022
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 3 October 2022
Job ID: 9188
Department: ILO-Washington
Organization Unit: ILO-Washington
Location: Washington
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 officials who have reached their age of retirement as defined in Article 11.3 of the Staff Regulations on or before 31 December 2017, or 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 ilojobs@ilo.org.
The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employersโ and business membership organizations, and workersโ 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: https://jobs.ilo.org/content/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.
Introduction
The Senior Government Relations Officer position is located in the ILO Office for the United States and Canada in Washington (ILO-Washington) based in Washington, D.C., United States of Americas. ILO-Washington represents the ILO and ensures that its core priorities and interests, policies and experience are disseminated among key stakeholders. The objective of ILO-Washington is to communicate and collaborate with members of government, employersโ and workersโ organizations, represent the ILO at the World Bank Group and international financial institutions and other international organizations and stakeholders in building lasting partnerships for a sustainable and equitable future of work.
The position will be responsible for contributing to the strengthening and development of relations between the ILO, the governments of the United States and Canada, as well as at the World Bank Group and IFIs to support the global work of the Organization.
The position will report to the Office Director, ILO-Washington.
Specific Duties
1.Monitor and analyse the political, legislative, and regulatory activities on world of work issues and development activities that impact on ILO priorities in the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and their Committees as well as in Canadaโs Federal Parliament and Provincial governments.
2.Research, review and update the officesโ contact database of details of key U.S. legislators, Professional Staffers in Congress and in the Canadian government both at the Federal and State/Provincial level.
3.Analyse and prepare briefs on current U.S. and Canadian policy issues as well as attend meetings, hearings and other events that are relevant to ILO priorities and outcomes.
4.Review, select and ensure regular provision of ILO research and knowledge products on the world of work and the impact of ILO development cooperation projects to build wider networks of supporters and contacts.
5.Create and undertake events as well as organise briefings with government officials and other key stakeholders with ILO experts and senior officials to generate regular dialogue on ILO priority issues with a view towards future cooperation and financial support.
6.Communicate regularly and strengthen relations with government officials to ensure they are properly briefed on developments at major ILO meeting as well as on the impact of the ILOโs global policy and development work and achievements.
7.Report on urgent requests and information that impact on the ILOโs position and standing with government partners and draft written responses on inquiries from government officials in the United States, Canada and through other countries Embassies in Washington.
8.Provide regular updates on the impact of legislation on issues relevant to the world of work and provide written and in-person responses that promote the knowledge and expertise of the ILO.
9.Assist in engagement, as appropriate, with employersโ and workersโ organizations as well as with a wide range of relevant think tanks, academics, researchers, civil society and media organisations to promote decent work, the global work and priorities of the Organization.
10.Communicate regularly with ILO staff at headquarters and in the field to ensure ILO-Washington has up-to-date policy briefs, project updates and data-driven analysis for use in the officeโs interactions with government officials as well as other key stakeholders.
11.Research, review and organise engagements across the U.S. and Canada to strengthen linkages for wider impact and greater support for the work and expertise of the ILO.
12.Perform other relevant duties as assigned.Generic Duties
TBD
Required qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree in public policy, economics, labour law, international relations or other relevant field. A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs 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 seven years of experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience
At least seven years of experience, including at the international level, in public policy. Experience engaging and providing targeted information to legislators and staff from the U.S. Congress, Canadian Parliament and/or relevant legislative Committees. Experience engaging and providing targeted information to U.S. Executive Branch agencies and offices, and Canadian Government contacts on international labour issues, multilateral relations and/or development issues would be an advantage.
Languages
Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.
Competencies
In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
Knowledge of the work of the Organization and multilateral system. Knowledge of legislative mechanisms, practices, and procedures, including timing of appropriations process in the U.S. and Canada are desirable. Strong ability to draft detailed documents, talking points, speeches and briefings. Strong ability to accurately present on key issues and emerging developments. Excellent verbal communication and negotiation skills are required to maintain positive and energetic relations with government officials and other key stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment in the context of assignments given. Ability to meet commitments, observe deadlines and achieve results. Ability to share pertinent information and update colleagues to heighten and enhance their situational awareness of the political environment and its connection to and impact on ILO priorities. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and adjust priorities as required. Ability to allow for contingencies when planning. Diplomacy skills. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality on issues and information discussed internally and provided by government sources. Ability to provide accurate debriefing of meetings and activities with government contacts and other key stakeholders. Ability to focus on providing timely information prior to taking action, especially for time-critical requests by governments, to the appropriate channels internal to the organisation. 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.
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 hrpartner@ilo.org
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website at https://jobs.ilo.org/. 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 - @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.