Vacancy Announcement No. 2009 – 18
International Labour Office Jakarta

Title of position: National Economist
Project: Employment-intensive growth for Indonesia:
Job Opportunities for Youth – JOY (INS/06/50/NET)
Duration: Until April 2010
Duty Station: Jakarta, Indonesia
Grade: NO-B
Starting date: 1 August 2009

1. Background
Despite better macroeconomic performance in recent years, Indonesia’s open unemployment rate has risen from 8.1 % in 2001 to 10.4% in 2006, and the country faces an underemployment rate of 30 per cent. The youth unemployment rate is three times higher than for the general population, at 30.6%. The government of Indonesia has shown a strong commitment to addressing the challenges of youth employment, becoming one of the first nations to volunteer to be a lead country in the Youth Employment Network (YEN) and developing an Indonesia Youth Employment Action Plan.

The ILO Jakarta is implementing a three-year technical cooperation programme, Job
Opportunities for Youth –JOY- funded by the Government of the Netherlands through the ILO-Netherlands Cooperation Programme (NICP), to support the country’s initiatives. The Programme forms an integral part of the ILO’s support to the implementation of Indonesia’s Decent Work Country Programme by the Government of Indonesia, the Employers’ and the Workers’ organizations.

The programme has a dual and mutually-reinforcing strategy. On one hand, the program
seeks to mainstream decent and productive employment for youth into national economic and social policies, including through the adoption and implementation of a national employment strategy. On the other hand, the programme supports sub-national policy-makers in the Indonesian province of East Java to develop youth employment policies and strategically planned, locally-driven, partnership approaches to creating decent employment for young people.

2. The Position
The incumbent for this position will coordinate with other on-going initiatives managed by the ILO Jakarta Office, and support the delivery of the Indonesia Decent Work Country Programme. The National Economist will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager for JOY and of the Director of ILO Jakarta, with technical backstopping assistance from other specialists in ILO Jakarta, the ILO Sub Regional Office, Manila, the ILO Regional Office, Bangkok, and ILO HQ staff as appropriate.

The National Economist will be working closely with the team of specialists and programme officers in Jakarta Office and other ILO technical cooperation projects in Indonesia particularly those that address migration, skills training, enterprise development, employment intensive infrastructure work and youth employment.

3. Responsibilities and Duties
Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, the National Economist will be
responsible for the achievement of the programme’s youth employment labour policy outputs with the resources provided. His/her main duties comprise:

General duties:

• Ensure effective implementation of the project through timely provision of inputs, effective backstopping, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and monitoring and evaluation of the project activities in conformity with ILO policies and programme strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, administrative and financial procedures.
• Develop and maintain external relations including the promotion of ILO policies, relevant international labour standards and guiding principles on employment policies and youth employment with government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations, relevant UN agencies, local donors, youth organizations and civil society.
• Disseminate information on action programmes through publications and press releases as well as ensuring representation at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national forums and advocacy campaigns.
• Guide, monitor and supervise the work and research carried out by programme staff and external collaborators.
• Support the development of Decent Work Indicators as regards labour market information
• Organize and conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings.
• Lead and/or support technical advisory missions.
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned.

Specific duties:

• Provide advice on the contents of a labour market degree programme and see to its implementation through a partnership agreement with an Indonesian University and an overseas University.
• Support the setting-up of a secretariat for the Indonesia Youth Employment Network (IYEN) and help formulate a new action plan. Ensure the delivery of statistical data on the operation of the labour market vis-à-vis youth Clarify the role of JOY for developing occupational competencies as regards a proposed internship and apprenticeship programme. Support the implementation of the pilot apprenticeship programme in Indonesia.
• Support a regulatory mapping for Employment Services, including outlining minimal standards required for service delivery. Review progress made by the recently launched Employment Service Center (ESC) in Surabaya. Provide technical expertise and advisory services to the ministry of manpower and other stakeholders regarding the launch of a new ESC in the district of Pasuruan.
• Provide support to the Job Opportunities Index (JOI) set up by the ILO and ensure the data cleaning and report writing is conducted appropriately. Support the endorsement of JOI at a policy level with the ministry of manpower and trans migration
• Provide government support, including through the conduction of workshops or the organization of technical missions, as regards: A/ The appropriation of a Youth Employment Strategy by Indonesia, including basic econometric forecasting. B/ The development of a National strategy for Local economic development and Enterprise Development activities. C/ Mapping of regulations for Employment Services in relation to the development of Indonesia’s planning process
• Continue supporting the dissemination of project activities through a newsletter and publications
• Be a focal point for issues concerning the labour market and respond to requests for press releases and presentations to the public
• Assist the Programme Manager with monitoring and evaluation activities, including quarterly reports and a final impact study

4. Education, Experience and qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree in economics.

Experience: Five to six years of professional experience in socioeconomic analysis, labour economics, development economics or a related discipline preferably with an international organization.

Languages: Excellent command of English and Bahasa Indonesia.

Competencies: Sound knowledge of economic, labour and social trends in Indonesia, ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques, ability to conceptualize, plan and conduct research, demonstrated skills and ability to perform complex analyses on a wide range of factors, requirements, policies and priorities for the assessment and implementation of projects/programmes; excellent trouble-shooting and problem solving skills; ability to advise national governments and donor agencies on technical cooperation processes and requirements and project formulation and feasibility; ability to represent the office; ability to plan and organize work and to provide guidance and training to staff members; excellent report-writing skills and excellent communication and leadership skills; computer literacy required. Proven record of work in gender issues is essential.

Conditions: The post is subject to ILO conditions of service at NO-B level. Initial offer will be for a 9 month period with possibility for extension, subject to fund availability.

5. Written Examination and Interview
Prospective candidates may be required to sit a written examination and take part in an interview.

6. Application
Qualified women and men are encouraged to apply and submit their application along with CV and other supporting documents and references, addressed to:

The Director, ILO Jakarta
Attn: INS/06/M50/NET
Email: HRDJKT@ilo.org
Fax: 3100766

Closing date: 15 July 2009

The ILO promotes opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive employment in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity