Specialist on Social Dialogue and Labour Administration

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team (DWT) for Central Africa. DWT/CO-Yaoundé provides high-quality, timely and integrated technical support in the design, implementation and monitoring of Decent Work Country Programmes in Cameroon, Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. DWT/CO-Yaoundé also provides strategic guidance for the development of policies and workplans at the request of ILO country offices and constituents in Central Africa, under the supervision of the ILO Regional Office for Africa and in collaboration with the technical departments at headquarters.

The Specialist will be responsible for providing advisory services in the field of labour administration / inspection and social dialogue, technical analysis on the evolution of and issues related to labour law, labour relations, and labour administration, advice on the preparation and updating of ILO strategies, programs and research, as well as on the design, implementation and evaluation of technical cooperation in the areas of labour administration, labour inspection and social dialogue. The Specialist will work closely with his/her counterparts in the Decent Work Technical Support Team in Yaoundé, for the purpose of integrating and implementing social dialogue, labour administration and labour inspection components in DWCPs and other programming documents. He/she will also cooperate with the heads of other ILO country offices in the subregion.

The position will report to the Director of DWT/CO-Yaoundé and will receive technical guidance and advice from the Head of the Social Dialogue and Tripartism Unit (DIALOGUE) within the Department of Governance and Tripartism (GOVERNANCE ) at Headquarters. He/she will also be advised by the Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Health and Safety branch (LABADMIN/OSH).

1.Promote the application of ILO standards, guidelines and relevant tools on social dialogue and labour administration / inspection, with emphasis on standards and tools for formalizing the informal economy and the promotion of fundamental principles and rights at work.

2.Provide guidance and advice to ILO constituents on the formulation of social dialogue, labour administration and labour inspection policies, including legal issues.

3.Study and develop legal frameworks, institutions and practices related to social dialogue and labour administration / inspection that may be useful for the development of country profiles and diagnostics to assist ILO constituents to improve the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs aimed at strengthening social dialogue structures and mechanisms, promoting social peace and improving labour market governance through effective labour market administration systems.

4.Provide practical and technical advice to constituents at the national level in the areas of social dialogue and labour administration / inspection, in particular concerning planning, programming, management, and the development of policies and strategies.

5.Contribute to strengthening the capacity of ILO constituents in social dialogue and labour administration / inspection, in particular by assisting Member States to prepare audits, profiles, plans and programs related to labour administration and inspection systems, as well as bipartite and tripartite social dialogue structures at national, sectoral and enterprise levels. Assist Member States in strengthening their capacity to ensure the prevention and resolution of labour disputes and the negotiation and implementation of collective agreements, in accordance with best practices, labour standards and existing international codes of conduct.

6.At the national level, undertake and pilot technical work such as data analysis, statistics, review of normative frameworks and national policies on social dialogue, labour administration and labour inspection.

7.Cooperate with other specialists in the DWT/CO to ensure that social dialogue and labour administration / inspection are fully taken into account in the design, implementation and evaluation of DWCPs.

8.Undertake and organize knowledge-sharing activities to disseminate lessons learned and good practices, broaden the knowledge base, build networks and strengthen research capacities at the national level.

9.Organize the development, compilation and/or translation of guidelines, brochures, guides and/or training manuals, as well as electronic publications (web pages, CDs, DVDs) in the areas of labour administration/inspection and social dialogue; Prepare training materials and awareness-raising tools and present them during ILO activities.

10. Undertake other tasks as assigned.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

1. Design and promote a wide range of special subject-matter-related programmes, This involves: re-analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics and information or policy guidelines, in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognised technical specialisation. 
2. Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes.
3. Provide policy advice to ILO’s constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of development cooperation activities.
4. Formulate and submit project proposals and seek funding.
5. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.
6. Undertake technical advisory missions independently or in collaboration with other specialists.
7. Conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings and training courses.
8. Prepare draft recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO Recommendations or Conventions on related technical fields.
9. Write manuals and/or training guides on related topics.
10. Disseminate information on programmes through publications and, press releases, as well as ensuring representation at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.
11. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by junior technical officers and external collaborators.
12. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, regional meetings and conference reports).
13. Participate in tripartite reviews on development cooperation activities and international meetings and conferences.

Advanced university degree in law, public administration or social sciences. Specialization in labour administration, labour inspection, social dialogue, or labour relations would be an advantage.

At least eight years' experience at national level or at least five years at the international level in the fields of social dialogue, labour administration and labour inspection. Proven experience in research work and training in the fields of labour administration, labour inspection and labour relations. Work experience in the region would be an advantage.

Excellent command of French and working knowledge of English. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish will be considered as an asset.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Technical

Excellent knowledge of the systems and mechanisms of social dialogue, collective bargaining and issues relating to labour administration and inspection. Good understanding of international labour standards and the importance of gender mainstreaming.

Ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; communicate effectively with a variety of partners; formulate new concepts and methodologies; develop training materials, alternative courses of action, proposals for projects, policies, and procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and ILC, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor technical cooperation activities and projects.

Behavioural

Communication skills, related to expression and negotiation.
High degree of diplomacy, ability to develop and maintain relationships.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment, and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.