Introduction

The position of Enterprise Development and Job Creation Specialist is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for North Africa and Country Office for Egypt and Eritrea (DWT/CO Cairo) in Cairo.  DWT/CO-Cairo is responsible for supporting ILO constituents in developing and implementing activities in the context of the Decent Work Agenda and provides the technical backstopping for those activities. DWT/Cairo comprises Specialists of various technical disciplines, who provide technical support and guidance to ILO activities in the countries for which they have geographical competence. The mix of technical skills in each DWT is intended to enable the ILO to respond effectively to the diverse needs of ILO constituents for effective promotion of decent work, social justice and equality at national/country level; to ensure that the interests of the tripartite constituency are respected in the design and execution of field activities; and that appropriate links are maintained among the various means of action of the ILO.

The specific functions of the Specialists include: technical advisory services in their area of expertise; technical analysis of problems and developments in their area of expertise; assistance in the identification of country priorities, strategies and programmes and related research and analytical needs and design and support for the implementation and evaluation of development cooperation programmes and projects.

The Specialist will provide required technical support to the countries within the sub-region in close working relationship with the ILO Offices and ILO constituents in the respective countries. The position will report to the DWT/CO-Cairo Director and will receive technical guidance and advice from the Director of the ENTERPRISES at headquarters. The incumbent will be a member of the ILO Global Enterprises Team and will work in close consultation and collaboration with ENTERPRISES as well as other units and departments in ILO headquarters to ensure policy and operational coherence.

Specific Duties

1. Provide advice to countries in the sub-region on enterprise development and job creation through sustainable enterprises, within the framework of the Decent Work Country Programmes and in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. Provide technical services to countries in the sub-region on the design, management, and evaluation of development cooperation projects on entrepreneurship and enterprise development, in line with the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
3. Advise government and social partners on appropriate national policies and programmes to stimulate and actively support enterprise development and the development of an entrepreneurship culture, including among youth and women, and of an enterprise-friendly environment, particularly for micro/small enterprises. This involves: analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics and information or policy guidelines, in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles and methodologies.

4. Develop and implement coherent strategies, policies and practice. This includes applying ILO approaches and tools in the areas of micro/small/medium enterprise development, multinational enterprises, corporate social responsibility, social solidarity economy and cooperatives, green economy, local economic development employment injury insurance and social finance.
5. Network extensively within ILO to seek technical support and establish synergies; and externally with national institutions and the private sector, donor and other international agencies to promote coordination and partnerships, synergies and mobilize resources.
6. Contribute to the development and implementation of UN system-wide activities in support of the SDGs with a focus on, but not limited to, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
7. Disseminate, advocate and market ILO tools, programmes and approaches related to entrepreneurship and enterprise development, including through the media.
8. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

Generic Duties

1. Design and promote a wide range of special subject-matter-related programmes, This involves: re-analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics and information or policy guidelines, in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognised technical specialisation.
2. Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes.
3. Provide policy advice to ILO’s constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of development cooperation activities.
4. Formulate and submit project proposals and seek funding.
5. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.
6. Undertake technical advisory missions independently or in collaboration with other specialists.
7. Conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings and training courses.
8. Prepare draft recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO Recommendations or Conventions on related technical fields.
9. Write manuals and/or training guides on related topics.
10. Disseminate information on programmes through publications and, press releases, as well as ensuring representation at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.
11. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by junior technical officers and external collaborators.
12. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, regional meetings and conference reports).
13. Participate in tripartite reviews on development cooperation activities and international meetings and conferences.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree with demonstrated expertise in economics, business or social sciences.

Experience

At least eight years’ experience or at least five years at the international level.
Experience in providing policy advice and promoting institutional capacity building based on the outcomes of projects in local environments as well as a solid understanding of good practices at the national and international levels.

Languages

Excellent command of English and a working knowledge of French. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Job-specific competencies include the ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide reasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; formulate new concepts and methodologies; develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; produce reports (e.g. for regional conferences and the International Labour Conference, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects. Ability to make lively presentations. Interpersonal, networking and advocacy/marketing skills. Ability to work independently, and as member of a team. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.