Grade: P4
Vacancy no.: DC/Dhaka/ P/2023/01
Publication date: 18 September 2023
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 8 October 2023
Job ID: 11220
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Dhaka
Location: Dhaka
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: One year (with the possibility to renew)
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 present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.
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.
The following are eligible to apply:
- ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
- External candidates.
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.
Introduction
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).
This work is organised under Labour Administration and Working Conditions (LAWC) cluster that is a composite of several individual development cooperation projects and is operated through seven technical work units: International Labour Standards, Labour Administration Reform, Labour Inspection, Occupational Safety and Health, and Industrial Safety, Social Dialogue as well as the Better Work Bangladesh unit. These units are coordinated under the overall leadership of a cluster program manager, with administrative, finance, general, and technical services provided by a Cluster Support unit.
The breadth and depth of work required for this cluster of programmes will require a talented team that is able to grasp the complexities of the cluster approach, work cooperatively and deliver quality technical work as a team.
Objective:
The main purpose of this position is to lead and oversee the implementation of technical work in the area of labour administration under the cluster. This involves technically supervising a team of specialized Program Officers covering the areas of Child Labour, Labour Administration, Dispute Resolution, Social Dialogue, Freedom of Association, and Collective Bargaining. The aim is to align these technical functions with the broader goals of the \"Labour Administration and Working Conditions\" (LAWC) cluster, promoting synergy, minimizing redundancy, and enhancing efficiency. Ultimately, the role contributes to Bangladesh's progress toward decent work and sustainable development within the LAWC cluster.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will lead a technical team focused on child labour, dispute resolution, social dialogue, freedom of association and collective bargaining to ensure efficient and timely delivery of LAWC cluster initiatives while promoting adherence to international labour standards, thus advancing labour rights, safety, and decent work for sustainable development in Bangladesh. Responsibilities include strategic planning, capacity building, coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
Reporting lines
Under the overall guidance of the Director of ILO Country Office and direct supervision of the Programme Manager of the Labour Administration and Working Condition Cluster (LAWC), the incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the project(s) and programme(s) in the areas of his/her competence. The incumbent shall also work in close collaboration with the relevant technical units at HQ and with the Decent Work Technical Support Team (DWT/CO-New Delhi).
Description of Duties
1. Legal and Labour Administrative Reforms: Lead collaborative efforts with the Government of Bangladesh and social partners to drive legal and labour administrative reforms in the areas of social dialogue, dispute resolution, freedom of association, collective bargaining and child labour ensuring alignment with national frameworks, international labour standards and ILOโs cross-cutting areas of work.
2. Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategic plans for labour administration that align with the ILO's objectives and support the LAWC cluster.
3. Capacity Building: Facilitate capacity-building initiatives, with the relevant stakeholders and other development partners aimed at enhancing competencies related to labour administration and child labour among relevant stakeholders, fostering a culture of compliance and safety.
4. Team Supervision: Supervise a specialized team of Program Officers focusing on labour administration and child labour, guiding their contributions to the LAWC cluster's objectives.
5. Coordination: Coordinate activities within the LAWC cluster, promoting synergy and minimizing redundancy, to systematically address deficiencies in decent work and advance labour rights and workplace safety.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, international agencies, and social partners to establish and nurture strategic partnerships that support labour-related development goals and international labour standards in the areas of Labour Administration and Child Labour
7. Technical Advice and Efficient Enforcement: Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to combat child labour, ensuring alignment with international labour standards, including providing technical guidance to constituents and partners on child labour issues
8. Technical Advice and Efficient Enforcement: Oversee the effective implementation of dispute resolution mechanisms for labour-related issues, including collaboration with judicial/non judicial bodies and relevant stakeholders to implement alternative dispute resolution programs, and ensuring equitable resolution in compliance with legal frameworks
9. Technical Advice and Efficient Enforcement: Facilitate and promote constructive social dialogue among employers, workers, and government, supporting tripartite forums, capacity-building, and alignment with international labour standards.
10. Technical Advice and Efficient Enforcement: Advocate and facilitate workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, offering technical expertise, promoting collective bargaining mechanisms, raising worker awareness, and monitoring related issues
11. Adherence to International Labour Standards: Ensure adherence to international labour standards in labour administration and child labour activities, contributing to the promotion of labour rights, safety, and decent work in Bangladesh.
12. Research and studies: Undertake research and studies and prepare opinion pieces on questions relating to international law, labour standards or labour relations.
13. Reporting: Prepare comprehensive reports and adhere to established reporting standards and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability to development partners, government agencies, and stakeholders.
14. Seminar and Workshop Development: Develop and conduct seminars, workshops, and technical meetings to disseminate knowledge and facilitate collaboration.
15. Communication and Awareness: Ensure awareness raising and communication by disseminating information through events, publications, press releases, and social media.
16. Representation at Meetings: Represent the ILO and the Programme at donors' meetings, international, regional, and national fora.
17. Budget Management: Manage funds/budgets allocated to the Programme and ensure the preparation of periodic progress reports for submission in accordance with established rules and procedures.
18. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the LAWC Programme Manager or Co-Dhaka Director.
Required qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree (Masterโs or equivalent) in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Law, or related field with demonstrated expertise. A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs or equivalent) in a relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Languages
Excellent command of English (written and oral). Knowledge of Bengali language would be an advantage.
Experience
At least seven years of professional experience in labour-related matters, including at the international level. Candidates must demonstrate a successful history of leading collaborative initiatives with governmental and social partners. An essential requirement is familiarity with international labour standards and their integration into national frameworks. Additionally, candidates should possess robust technical expertise in labour laws and labour administration institutions, with a proven ability to provide sound technical advice and effectively promote compliance.
Technical Requirements
โฆ Proven expertise in overseeing effective labour-related dispute resolution mechanisms. This includes a track record of collaborating with both judicial and non-judicial bodies, as well as implementing alternative dispute resolution programs while ensuring compliance with legal frameworks.
โฆ Experience in fostering and promoting constructive social dialogue among employers, workers, and government stakeholders. This entails supporting tripartite forums, conducting capacity-building activities, and aligning practices with international labour standards.
โฆ Extensive background in advocating for and facilitating workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
โฆ Excellent computer/information, virtual communication application skills, including zoom, Teams, Word Processing, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
โฆ Demonstrated ability to effectively monitor work programme and resources.
โฆ In depth knowledge of UN or ILOโs policies, administrative procedures, and practices.
โฆ Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations.
โฆ Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
โฆ Ability to prepare result-based annual workplan and budget and implement in conformity with the ILO guidelines
โฆ Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the initiative objectives, and to design and synthesize strategies for programme development.
โฆ Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and record procedural matters.
Competencies
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; Ability to take responsibility for performance; Quality orientation; Collaboration], this position requires:
โฆ Proven ability to take ownership of a wide range of responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical, and organizational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.
โฆ Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders
โฆ Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employersโ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
โฆ Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully manage area of responsibility and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
โฆ Ability to advocate and provide impactful policy advice.
โฆ Excellent leadership and negotiation skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
โฆ Ability to promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture, as well as to train and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
โฆ Decision making and problem-solving skills.
โฆ Establishes high quality standards for own delivery
โฆ Sets detailed plans; is personally well organised and structured; anticipates and prepares for problems.
โฆ Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to effectively assess program performance and identify areas for improvement.
โฆ Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
โฆ Ability to work in diversified environments.
โฆ Clear commitment to mainstream gender and disability into project activities.
โฆ Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
โฆ Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
โฆ Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation project/program activities with partners.
โฆ Ability to plan and support the development of individualโs skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
โฆ Ability to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organization challenges and opportunities for improvement.Conditions of employment
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
- Any extension 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.
For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.
Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.
The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.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.