Small and Medium Enterprises Development Specialist

The position is located in the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh (CO-Dhaka). CO-Dhaka is responsible for providing support to governments and employers' and workers' organizations in Bangladesh in their efforts to reduce decent work deficits and to pursue development for dignity through the promotion of rights at work, employment, social protection and social dialogue towards achieving social justice and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the importance of engaging enterprises on decent work in order to achieve sustainable development and sustainable growth.

The position is responsible for provision of technical and policy advice and support for the maintenance of and the development of sustainable enterprises with a focus on SMEs, the creation of an enabling environment for enterprise development, stronger women and youth entrepreneurship, private sector engagement and enterprise training.  

The position will report to the Director of CO-Dhaka and will receive technical guidance and advice from the Head of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Unit within the ILO’s Enterprises Department (ENTERPRISES).The incumbent will work closely with the Employment and Enterprise Specialists based in the Decent Work Technical Support Team for South Asia (DWT/CO-New Delhi).

1. Analyse economic and labour market trends and broader national development priorities with a view to integrating SME development policies and programmes into broader policy frameworks and strengthening the enterprise potential employment creation.

2. Provide expert advice and support for the formulation and implementation of SME policies and programmes in the context of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and local development partners' coordination mechanisms in support of the development plans of the Government of Bangladesh and of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

3. Advise government, employers’ and workers’ organizations on the formulation, implementation and review of existing enterprise-related policies

4. Participate and represent CO-Dhaka in multidisciplinary activities of the UN Country Teams, particularly in the areas of SME development.

5. Develop new initiatives, contribute towards resource mobilization and backstop DWCP related development cooperation projects particularly in the field of SME development.

6. In cooperation with specialists in DWT/CO-New Delhi, update or develop policy and/or programme tools and knowledge products on SME development that support ILO constituents in the implementation of relevant national programmes. Advise and assist ILO constituents in facilitating the effective participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in SME policy design, implementation, and evaluation.

7. Provide support and assist ILO constituents in undertaking needs assessments that contribute to building constituents’ capacity to design enterprise programmes for disadvantaged groups such as informal economy workers and operators in rural areas, taking into account the special needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities and migrant workers.

8. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate good practices on enabling national policies and local initiatives on SME development as part of regional and global knowledge-management systems.

9. Contribute to mainstreaming a just transition to environmental sustainability into (i) country programmes and initiatives and (ii) greening of ILO offices. Serve as a focal point for environment and decent work in coordination with the Senior Specialist on Environment and Decent Work of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

10. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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

Advanced university degree in economics, social science, labour economics or other social sciences, with demonstrated expertise in the relevant technical field.

Eight years’ experience at the national level or five years at the international level on enterprise, preferably SME, and employment-related initiatives. Experience in resource mobilization and experience in policy analysis and the design and implementation of development cooperation projects in developing countries would be an advantage.

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of another official language (French or Spanish) of the Organization would be an advantage.

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

Ability to: synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide seasoned 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. reports for regional conferences and  the International Labour Conference , technical publications, training manuals  and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects.  The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.