Legal/Labour Law Officer

The position is located within the International Labour Standards Department (NORMES).  NORMES strives to enhance the relevance of International Labour Standards (ILS) to the world of work and ensure their role as a useful means of achieving the constitutional objectives of the Organization, as well as the ILO strategic objectives, as called for by the 2008 Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization.  More specifically, NORMES is responsible: (i) for designing and implementing the ILO standards-related activities in accordance with the standards strategy adopted by the Governing Body; (ii) for supporting and servicing all the supervisory bodies of the ILO; and (iii) for the promotion of Office-wide coherence and cooperation on ILS.

 
The Legal/Labour Law Officer will be assigned to one of the thematic units within the Freedom of Association Branch or the Application of Standards Branch. The thematic units provide support to the supervisory bodies and technical assistance to the countries on the broad range of subjects covered by international labour standards, including: freedom of association and collective bargaining, child labour, forced labour, equality and non-discrimination, employment, labour administration, labour inspection, occupational safety and health, social security, wages, working time, specific categories of workers including migrant workers, seafarers, fishers, domestic workers as well as indigenous and tribal peoples. The Legal/Labour Law Officer may periodically be called on to change from a thematic unit to another, on the basis of internal mobility or to respond to the evolving workload within the Department, as well as with a view to finalizing the Legal/Labour Law Officer's training for a possible future field assignment.

The main role of the position is to prepare draft comparative legal analysis and draft legal opinions on a wide range of issues related to international labour standards.

The position will report to the Chief of the Freedom of Association Branch or to the Chief of the Application of Standards Branch.

1. Participate in activities relating to the technical assistance provided to member States concerning the ratification of international labour Conventions and their effective implementation.

2. Identify relevant legal texts in order to maintain the NORMES databases up to date.

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

1. Examine reports by governments and comments by employers' and workers' organizations on ratified and unratified Conventions and Recommendations. Perform comparative analyses of the legislation and practice of the different States. Draft comments for the high-level committees and/or groups of experts.
2. Draft notes, reports and comments concerning the application of Conventions, for consideration by governments, the Governing Body, and the International Labour Conference.
3. Undertake research and studies on problems relating to internal administration, international law or labour standards.
4. Participate as a member of the secretariat of various committees dealing with legal issues or labour standards, including the preparation of background material and documents, drafting records of meetings, drafting reports, etc.
5. Draft replies to requests from constituents or clients on questions relating to international labour standards or other legal questions.
6. Prepare summaries of judgements and national labour law case.

Advanced degree in law.

Minimum of one year of national or international experience.

Excellent command of one official language (English, French or Spanish) of the Organization and a working knowledge of another official language. 

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

Technical

Ability to analyse defined aspects of legal issues, draft clearly and concisely to prepare studies and comments and take initiatives to keep up-to-date with new developments in the occupational area.

Behavioural
Ability to carry out assignments in accordance with instructions and guidelines; work within tight deadlines and respect confidentiality; adaptability. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.