Finance Officer - NOA (DC)

Grade: NOA

Vacancy no.: DC/Dhaka/NO/2025/04
Publication date: 03 June 2025
Application deadline (midnight local time): 21 June 2025

Job ID: 13042
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Dhaka
Location: Dhaka
Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: 1 One year (with possibility of renewal based on availability of fund)

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

The following are eligible to apply:

*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.

Introduction

About Better Work
We mobilize global brands, governments, factory owners and workers to improve working conditions, drive competitiveness and create a more equitable, more prosperous world.

The Power of Convening
As a partnership between the UN’s International Labour Organization and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation, we know how to bring diverse groups together to create positive action that improves working conditions while stimulating productivity and competitiveness.

A Proven Approach
We create lasting, measurable change by empowering factories to improve the working conditions in their facilities. Our assessments are the global gold standard for rigour and integrity. Our training programs and advisory services change attitudes as well as behaviours.

National Action/ Global Influence
Through our comprehensive, university-led research, and by sharing best practices from our on-the-ground experience, we are able to shape the agenda well beyond the countries in which we work, influencing governments, brands and policy makers to make improving working conditions a top priority

Purpose
Since 2013, the ILO has closely collaborated with and supported the Government of Bangladesh in enacting major legal and administrative reforms to uphold labour rights and improve workplace safety. Notable reforms include amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA) in 2013 and 2018 the adoption of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Labour Act (ELA) in 2019, the formulation of the Bangladesh Labour Rules in 2015 and its amendment in 2022, as well as the formulation of the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Rules in 2022. While progress has been made, there is a need for effective institutional mechanisms to support the implementation of the new legislative framework.

To maintain momentum and support Bangladesh's smooth graduation from LDC status, the CO Dhaka Office is working together with the Government of Bangladesh's and social partners under its Bangladesh Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for continued support to labour reform as per the ILO GB Road map of actions and Bangladesh National Action Plan (NAP) on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh (2021-2026).

Established in 2014, Better Work Bangladesh has been an essential facilitator of growth and expansion of the Ready-Made Garment industry ─ one of the economy’s largest export-oriented drivers. In its third phase (2022 – 2027), the programme focus on expansion of its factory engagement through partnership with industry actors and contribute to strengthening the labour market institution through data and information sharing to the national stakeholders.

For more information about Better Work please see: www.betterwork.org.

Function

The position’s main function is the implementation of ILO financial and administrative policies, procedures, rules and regulations and management of project budgets so as to enable timely and accountable planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of project activities. S/he will work closely with relevant staff in the ILO Dhaka office in relation to programming, operational and financial aspects of the programme in order to ensure the technical integrity of project outputs, as identified in the project documents.

Supervision

The position will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Programme Manager, Better Work Bangladesh, and the duty station is in the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, Dhaka. The overall supervision will be by the Country Program Manager, Better Work Bangladesh

Description of Duties

1. Act as part of Better Work Bangladesh team, helping to implement operational and strategic decisions regarding the program’s financial operations. In particular, provide guidance on the financial implications of decision making and provide input into hiring and HR, budget, services development and expansion, programmatic targets etc.

2. Assist management to ensure that private sector revenue is invoiced, collected and programmed according to ILO financial regulations and managed in accordance with the Better Work strategy. and used to fund operational expenses of the programme maintaining internal financial controls.

3. Provide professional services for the effective delivery of the Office’s financial services. Administer day-to-day financial operations ensuring full compliance with financial rules and regulations, policies, procedures and applicable standards and integrity and consistency of data in all financial transactions, recording and reporting. Oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff performing finance-related work.

4. Implement, operationalize and maintain internal systems, procedures, policies and structures to ensure sound financial practices, including ethical, effective and efficient use of money.

5. Oversee support to general office management and administration, including availability of office supplies, management of inventory, approval processes, payment systems, petty cash etc.

6. Administer budgets, including revision and rephasing, provision of periodic budget forecasts, cash needs predictions, resource gap analysis, management reports on budgetary status and variance reports; provide targeted, pro-active and accurate advice to Programme Manager, Management Team and other relevant staff on financial operations/management in order to support effective management decision-making.

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7. Take a leading role in monitoring operational cost recovery of factory engagement expenditure from private sector revnues and in proposing recommendations for meeting cost recovery targets. Actively contribute to implementation of the sustainability strategy of the programme.

8. Conducts real-time monitoring of fund management across multiple BWB funding sources and provides strategic recommendations for the optimal allocation of resources in alignment with BWB’s overall strategy and work plan.

9. Monitors budget timelines and proactively advises management to ensure optimal fund utilization and maximize delivery efficiency.

10. Assist in monitoring the implementation of activities in accordance with project documents, donor agreements and costed workplans. Identify bottlenecks and propose corrective action. Prepare, analyse and evaluate information from financial records and provide data and information for the preparation of financial reports in accordance with the terms and conditions of donors and financial rules and regulations of the Office.

11. Follow-up on internal and external audit recommendations and draft responses to audit inquiries and observations for consideration of supervisor.

12. Keep abreast of changes to applicable standards and best practices. Share knowledge and provide guidance to staff. Organize and conduct training for staff on finance issues. Draft lessons learned and best practices in finance, as well as guidelines and standard operating procedures, as required.

13. Supervise and coach support staff performing financial, administrative and operational support to Better Work Bangladesh.

14. Work with other ILO and Better Work finance staff from ILO Dhaka and ILO HQ to suggest improvements to financial management practices in the programme.

15. Other duties as required by the supervisor

Required qualifications

Education

University degree in finance, accounting or other relevant fields

Experience

At least two years professional work experience in finance or accounting.Prior experience with UN/INGO administrative and financial procedures would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Bengali.

Competencies

Good knowledge of financial and accounting principles and concepts.
Good knowledge of international accounting standards such as International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or other international or national accounting standards.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:

Ability to interpret and work within the applicable financial rules and regulations, policies and procedures.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Drafting skills.
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO People. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

Applicants can only attach 1 document to their application. This should include a cover letter and must also include a 2-page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. In doing this you should have a heading for each competency and explain in 2–3 paragraphs to the selection committee how your skills and experience show that you meet this. Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview.

Better Work, as part of the ILO, values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities.

For more information please contact betterwork_hr@ilo.org