Sergio Andrés Iriarte Quezada

Sergio Iriarte Quezada, from La Paz, Bolivia, is a dedicated professional in the field of youth employment. With a wealth of experience, Sergio plays an important role at the ILO’s YOUTH Employment Unit. Here are some highlights of his career:

• Technical support and policy advice to ILO constituents (governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations) coordinating ILO’s country support on increasing the capacity of Member States to promote decent employment for youth.
•   Green Jobs for Youth Pact: Sergio coordinates the ILO’s engagement in this vital partnership, collaborating closely with UNEP and UNICEF.
•   Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning: In recent years, Sergio has managed projects and global operations within the Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning. This programme, housed in the SKILLS and Employability Branch of the ILO’s EMPLOYMENT Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department, focuses on equipping individuals with the skills needed for a rapidly changing world of work.
•   Business Processes and Change Management: Prior to joining the SKILLS Branch, Sergio served as a Senior Officer at the Business Improvement Unit (BIU) of the ILO. His expertise in this field contributed to organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
•   Youth Employment Programme: Seventeen years ago, Sergio embarked on his journey with the ILO at the Evaluation Office. Later, he transitioned to the Youth Employment Programme, where he engaged in diverse domains such as employment policies development and implementation, technical support, and policy advice. He also developed training materials and provided coaching to ILO staff members and constituents.
•   Innovation and Change Management: Sergio’s repertoire extends to innovation and change management. His forward-thinking approach has been instrumental in driving positive transformations within the ILO.
•   Human Rights Advocacy: Before joining the ILO, Sergio collaborated with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). His work involved supporting the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education in crafting the Annual Report on the right to education in emergency situations—a critical document addressed to governments and NGOs.
•   Educational Background: Sergio holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and a Master of Arts (MA) in Political Economics from the University of Geneva. Additionally, he has an MA in Development Studies with a focus on International Development from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva.