Senior Specialist, Employers' Activities - Dakar

Grade: P5

Vacancy no.: CALL/P/2026/6
Publication date: 17 July 2026
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 17 August 2026

Job ID: 13746
Department: ACT/EMP
Organization Unit: ACT/EMP
Location: Dakar
Contract type: Fixed Term

The ILO is issuing a call for expression of interest for the above position. The selection process is not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.

The following are eligible to apply:

• Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates

The ILO values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Applications from qualified candidates 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: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States

Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.

Introduction

The position is located in the Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP) but is also an integral member of the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team (DWT) that provides ILO technical support and guidance to a particular geographical area. ACT/EMP consists of a Bureau at ILO headquarters and a network of Senior Specialists in Employers Activities in each of the DWTs in the different regions. Its principal work is to manage the relationship between the ILO and Employer, Business and Membership Organizations (EBMOs), and the wider business community so that there is mutual understanding, shared values, and a desire to work together. This is done in close cooperation with the Secretariat of the Employers' Group of the ILO. Additionally, through its programme of development cooperation, the Bureau seeks to strengthen EBMOs so that they become stronger, independent and representative, and can increase their value to their members and potential members.

The main role of the position is to manage technical activities focusing on high-level technical and policy advisory services and advocacy of new strategies, policies, approaches, and programs within the area of specialization. The incumbent is expected to achieve objectives that are set by the ILO Governing Body concerning the strategic management of the programme. The incumbent will work with a high level of autonomy and take authoritative technical decisions independently whilst being accountable for the efficient management of funds.

The Senior Specialist, Employers Activities will act as an interface between the ILO, EBMOs, and the employer community in the region and develop and maintain productive working relations with them. More particularly, the incumbent will help EBMOs meet the needs of enterprises more effectively. Finally, the Senior Specialist, Employers Activities will ensure that the views, concerns, and priorities of employers are understood within the ILO and are reflected in the design and implementation of ILO policies and programmes and also communicate ILO policies and programmes to the wider employer and business community.

The Senior Specialist has dual reporting responsibilities. The position reports to the Director of ACT/EMP and works under the guidance of and with the support from the assigned regional ACT/EMP Desk Officer for day-to-day activities. The position reports to the Director of the DWT/CO-Dakar for administrative matters.

Specific Duties

1. Plan, manage and coordinate the entire programme of work with each EBMO within the position’s jurisdiction including following procedures established by ACT/EMP and the ILO as a whole within a results-based management framework. Conduct a needs assessment and, in consultation with each EBMO concerned, develop and implement a work plan that responds to the needs and priorities of each organisation in the areas of organizational governance and effectiveness, membership and representativity, new or improved services, and policy advocacy. Review and report on progress via a quarterly monitoring exercise and assess the impact of the work plan. Lead teams involved in this work and manage staff and consultants as applicable.
2. Lead the design, development, implementation, monitoring and promotion of related programmes, strategies, approaches and policies with a view to enhancing and positioning the Organization’s technical leadership in these areas. Lead, manage and coordinate high-level advocacy and technical and policy advisory services to assist EBMOs in developing and promoting policy proposals for economic and social development, with the aim of achieving a better business environment for the development of sustainable enterprises at subregional and national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, fostering the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
3. Provide thought leadership in areas of importance to EBMOs, including through the continuous strategic positioning of the Organization and its mandate within the United Nations system. Act as a catalyst in formulating policies on critical issues related to the promotion of decent work across ILO’s strategic objectives and build bridges and synergies between strategic policy areas. Coordinate cross-organizational initiatives to ensure integration and policy coherence to advance broad programme development.
4. Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide authoritative policy and technical advice to help improve the managerial capacity and operational effectiveness of EBMOs, through the use of organizational analysis, capacity assessments and development, and human resources development aiming to strengthen independence, representativeness and effectiveness of EBMOs with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.
5. Support EBMOs in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Support the design, creation and implementation of quality and high-impact services that EBMOs provide to their member enterprises. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of employers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects.
6. Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Build and stimulate multidisciplinary initiatives, efforts, developments, plans, reviews, activities with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.
7. Provide stewardship, design and conduct/coordinate innovative and gender-mainstreamed research, including on frontier/emerging issues, that meets the evolving needs of Employer constituents and other key stakeholders and positions the ILO at the forefront of research in employers’ activities.

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8. Develop and lead/coordinate the development of policies, initiatives and strategies and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents’ needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the global, regional and country levels. Provide advice and technical support to EBMOs on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.
9. Lead the development, review and quality control of major reports, publications, documents and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.
10. Support the strengthening of EBMOs capacity to develop and promote policy proposals for economic and social development, with the aim of achieving a better business environment for the development of sustainable enterprises., taking into account the need for policy coherence and an integrated approach to decent work. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead/coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events, including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable.
11. Formulate and develop conceptual approaches for development cooperation activities, taking into account regional, subregional, national priorities of EBMOs and their members interests and concerns and the need to position these within relevant development cooperation frameworks. Design and develop programmes and projects and coordinate their implementation, in accordance with established monitoring and reporting standards, including financial resources, and coordinate activities among projects. Manage stakeholder engagement, mobilize resources and negotiate funding, terms and conditions.
12. Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships and broker collaborative relationships to benefit the broad areas of the Decent Work Agenda with traditional and non-traditional partners/entities of the UN system, other international organizations, regional and national actors, private institutions, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, research institutions, academia, civil society, other key stakeholders with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence, joint programme design and implementation, promoting awareness of ILO’s values and strategic objectives, resource mobilization, influencing policy and financing decisions in support of decent work objectives.
13. Convene and represent the ILO at major international/regional meetings and events, including with strategic players, national and international development partners, international financial institutions and multilateral and regional institutions of the UN system and other key stakeholders/organizations. As the ILO’s technical representative, play a key role in promoting and advocating the Decent Work Agenda.
14. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, business administration, law, industrial relations, social sciences 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 experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years of experience, including at the international level, working in employers’ organizations or other business representative organizations, and/or comparable experience in development cooperation management functions at a senior level with practical experience of institutional capacity building of Employer and Business Membership Organizations.

Languages

Excellent command of French or English.

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches related to EBMOs, their functions and operations, including labour-related programmes, issues, practices and policies with the ability to lead and oversee their development and implementation suited to evolving needs and priorities. Detailed and comprehensive expertise in own area to serve as the reference expert across the Organization.
Excellent knowledge of the full range of policy areas and advanced understanding of the ILO’s mandate. Ability to maintain a comprehensive wealth of knowledge of related external issues.
Technical leadership skills.
Managerial skills for the effective management of human and financial resources. Ability to provide clear direction and to develop, inspire and encourage high-performing, pioneering and motivated individuals and teams, specialized in the technical area of work.
Excellent research and analytical skills.
Excellent communication skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills.
Excellent drafting skills.
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to build and negotiate strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders and to create innovative opportunities for promoting synergies and ensure organizational results and success over the immediate, mid-term and long-term horizon.
Ability to represent the Organization with authority and credibility and position it as a leader in employers’ activities. Ability to articulate the Organization’s mandate/strategic objectives/programmes when formulating and delivering information and presentations and adapt presentation methodology to address the needs of different audiences.
Ability to mobilize resources.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. 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.

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.