Introduction

Over the last four decades Saudi Arabia has achieved important socio-economic development. In April 2016, the Kingdom launched the Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious long-term plan for sustainable development. In this context, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia (MHRSD) has requested ILO support in a number of key thematic areas related to labour market regulation and decent work promotion.

A development cooperation programme entitled “Supporting Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in analysis, policy and capacity development” has accordingly been developed to respond to the Ministry’s needs.

Now in its second phase, the project’s focus remains technical support for the Ministry with six main pillars of work:

1. Supporting effective labour market and employment policy development, monitoring and evaluation;
2. Promoting fundamental principles and rights at work and supporting related national efforts, including development and implementation of policies and legislation;
3. Strengthening social dialogue institutions and building capacities of tripartite stakeholders on tripartism and social dialogue in KSA;
4. Improving skills governance for better employability and employment outcomes in KSA;
5. Improving Occupational Safety and Health in line with international labour standards; and,
6. Developing and strengthening cooperative enterprises.

Introduction (continued)

Based on the successful arrangement established during the first phase of the programme, and recognizing the invaluable contribution of the Technical Advisor on Employment positioned inside the Ministry (Labour Policies Agency), as acknowledged by the Ministry itself, the ILO will deploy a new Senior Technical Advisor for the second phase. This advisor will continue to furnish the Ministry with essential technical support on a daily basis. The Advisor will offer expert guidance and assistance to the Ministry on a range of critical issues including national employment strategies/policies, employment governance, labour market information systems, labour market analysis, and monitoring and evaluation, among others.

Reporting lines:

The position will report to the ILO Deputy Regional Director and and will benefit from technical oversight and support from the Senior Regional Employment Policy Specialist and other specialists within the Decent Work Team at the Regional Office in Beirut, as well as relevant technical departments at headquarters. The position will also work under the overall guidance of the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and in his absence or at his direction, the Vice-Minister for Labour.

Description of Duties

1. Responsible for the effective implementation of the programme of cooperation through: i) the provision of inputs and technical advice as needed and ii) the monitoring and evaluation of activities to ensure conformity with ILO policies and project strategies.

2. Provide strategic policy advice to the Minister and Senior Ministry Staff as requested and as may be required.

3. Liaise with the Minister, or Vice-Minister to promote inclusive and decent employment for all and represent the Office in key meetings.

4. Review decrees, laws, rules, regulations, policy papers, concept notes and other documentation of employment relevance prepared by other ministries or agencies of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and prepare summaries or briefs along with recommendations for action for the Minister.

5. Prepare briefs for the participation of the Minister or Vice-Minister or other representatives of the MHRSD in national policy and decision-making forums on employment and decent work, taking into account global megatrends and the emerging trends and avenues for job creation.

6. Engage with and provide support and technical advice to relevant departments at the Ministry, in close collaboration with the relevant officials from the Decent Work Team in Beirut and HQ units as needed, to promote ILO policies and standards in the related technical areas of the project. This includes provision of technical inputs for the Ministry’s departments when preparing technical reports on employment, rights at work, social dialogue, occupational safety and health, and child labour.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. Develop the capacity of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to continue promoting inclusive labour regulation and to ensure implementation of international best practice in decent work promotion after the departure of the employment advisor. This includes periodic meetings to discuss and analyse developments in the area of employment and decent work conditions and seminars on trends in the area of labour market regulation in line with international labour standards.

8. Provide technical expertise to the Ministry for undertaking monitoring and evaluation of employment and labour market-related policies and programmes to assess their impact and effectiveness and advise on the way forward.

9. Prepare and deliver trainings and capacity building activities on specific thematic areas, focusing especially on policy development, monitoring and evaluation, and labour market information and analysis, among others. This will be done in collaboration with the concerned departments and/or specialists in ROAS or in HQ.

10. Identify skills gaps within the Labour Policies Agency and discuss with the ILO and Senior Ministry Management steps to address them.

11. Perform any other duties or functions requested by the Minister or Vice-Minister of Labour or the Senior Regional Employment Policy Specialist at the ILO.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) with demonstrated expertise in economics and a specialization in labour economics.

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 required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years of relevant experience in an advisory position, including at the international level. Experience in working for the Ministry of Labour or in a relevant international organisation, in the area labour market legislation, policies and regulations.

Demonstrated experience in capacity development as well as management experience and skills.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English, Proficiency in Arabic would be a distinct advantage.

Competencies

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies and to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research.
• Ability to develop training strategies and design training materials.
• Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
• Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

Competencies (continued)

• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation project/programme activities with partners.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to provide high quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities;
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

Competencies (continued)

• Good Knowledge of ILO policies and standards and ability to advocate the ILO mandate and provide policy advice.
• Ability to promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the Ministry.
• Ability to conduct discussions and negotiate with the government and to coordinate activities and work well in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to work independently and take the initiative.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.