Team Leader; Enabling Environment for Sustainable Enterprises (EESE)

The position is located in the Small and Medium Enterprises Unit (SME) of the ILO’s Enterprises Department (ENTERPRISES). Within the Department’s mandate to promote sustainable enterprises, the SME unit seeks to unlock the potential of creating more and better jobs in small businesses - a sector which provides the bulk of all employment. The Unit is working with governments, social partners, the private sector as well as other relevant stakeholders and partners on fostering entrepreneurship and productivity in SMEs, through improving the enabling environment and the inclusivity of markets (for more details see www.ilo.org/sme).

The incumbent will lead the area of work on enabling environment for sustainable enterprises - including policy, legal and regulatory framework, institutional strengthening and enterprise formalisation, with a focus on small and medium enterprises. Work will be centred around the ILO’s Decent Work Country Programmes, the Conclusions concerning the promotion of sustainable enterprises adopted by the International Labour Conference in 2007 and the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204), through applied research and technical advice, the delivery of training and other support to ILO constituents, practitioners and policy makers. The incumbent will act as the focal point of the Enterprises Department for the Enabling Environment for Sustainable Enterprises (EESE).

The position will report to the Head of SME.

1. Plan, monitor and supervise ILO’s work in the area of EESE. Coordinate the development of the EESE team biannual workplan and ensure its delivery on time and within the budget. Supervise staff of the EESE team at headquarters and guide the work of enterprise specialists in field offices working on enabling environment and enterprise formalization issues. Oversee the work of external collaborators.
2. Conduct relevant research and provide evidence-based recommendations to policy makers and the social partners on how to improve the enabling environment for sustainable enterprises. This includes assessing the policy environment, translating findings into policy advice, proposing implementation strategies and delivering related capacity building in close cooperation with the Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) and the Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV).
3. Further develop and promote the EESE methodology to strengthen evidence-based policy advice and to build the capacity of the social partners.
4. Further develop and promote the ILO methodology on enterprise formalization. This includes overseeing the development of training, sensitization and assessment materials, the documentation of international good practices and the implementation of development cooperation projects.
5. Supervise and develop the knowledge base on the linkages between the enabling environment, productivity and entrepreneurship promotion. This includes the identification of areas of cooperation with the other teams of the Unit working on delivering direct assistance to enterprises (e.g. entrepreneurship development); promoting cooperation with other technical units at headquarters and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of interventions relating to the enabling environment for sustainable enterprises. Lead development of the knowledge base and provide advice and support to constituents in the areas of SME policy and entrepreneurship policy.
6. Identify opportunities for and formulate development cooperation project proposals for submission to public and private donors. Identify potential new development partners, build and maintain relations with key donors and ensure follow-up on joint activities. Play an active role in resource mobilization.
7. Develop the knowledge management strategy related to the enabling environment for sustainable enterprises. Monitor conceptual and operational activity in the area of the enabling environment, supervise information dissemination via different channels (website, publications, international fora), further sharpening the profile of the ILO in the specific area.
8. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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, Business or a related field in Social Sciences with demonstrated expertise in the field of enterprise development.

Minimum of eight years' experience in the field of enterprise and private sector development at the national level or five years at the international level. Experience in team management. Experience in assessment and policy advice on enabling business environment, SMEs and enterprise formalization. Experience in fundraising and donor relations.

Excellent command of English or French and working knowledge of the second language.

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

Technical

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. Monitoring and evaluation skills, excellent writing, communication negotiation and presentation skills.

Behavioural
Strong orientation to learning and knowledge sharing ability to make authoritative judgments; strong relational skills to ensure effective coordination with partners from different sectors and countries. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.