Labour Law and Labour Standards Specialist

The position is one of the technical positions in a multi-disciplinary team at the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for South Asia/Country Office for India (DWT/CO-New Delhi).  The DWT/CO-New Delhi provides overall technical support for the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes  in  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The DWT/CO-New Delhi also provides strategic guidance in formulating policy and work programmes as required by the ILO country offices and the constituents in South Asia in close collaboration with the DWT/CO-Bangkok, the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and headquarters technical departments. 

The Specialist shall be required to prepare or review draft labour laws for the countries covered by the DWT/CO and underline their relationship with international labour standards and good comparative labour law and practice. The Specialist shall participate in regional activities or studies related to labour standards and comparative labour law and labour relations in response to regional needs and priorities and as required by the Regional Office.. The Specialist will work in close coordination with the Labour Standards Department (NORMES) and the Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE) at headquarters.

The position reports to the Director of DWT/CO-New Delhi. Technical oversight and advice will be provided by the International Labour Standards Department at headquarters. The Labour Law and Reform Unit within the Governance and Tripartism Department will also provide technical advice.
 

1. Undertake policy formulation and provide advice to ILO constituents on issues regarding the application of international labour standards and the strengthening of labour legislation, labour relations practices, and labour market governance institutions, including through the promotion of development cooperation activities.
2. Ensure that governments accomplish on a timely basis their obligations in terms of presentation of periodic reports, in accordance with article 19 and 22 of the Constitution, and follow up adequately the comments of different ILO supervisory bodies, such as the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards, and the Committee of Freedom of Association.
3. Provide regular reports on activities in the countries covered by the DWT/CO as inputs for the work of the Committee of Experts on the Applications of Conventions and Recommendations.
4. Collaborate with ILO specialists in the field and at headquarters to provide advice on labour law reform and prepare coordinated comments on draft laws based on international labour standards and comparative labour law and practice, in close coordination with headquarters.
5. Provide advice to governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations on the application of labour law and collective agreements as an effective means to attaining the Organization´s decent work and social justice goals, taking into account ILO standards and adequate practices at the international level. Establish and maintain close relations with employers’ and workers’ organizations, informing and advising them on matters related to ILO Standards, national labour law reform and labour relations.
6. Conduct research on legal frameworks, institutions and practices that may be useful for sound labour market governance and the promotion of mature social dialogue and negotiations.
7. Participate as an expert and adviser in the various committees or other official meetings dealing with legal and labour relations issues, including preparing background material and documents, drafting records of meetings and reports.
8. Design, implement and evaluate development cooperation projects to support the application of international labour standards and the promotion of sound labour relations. 
9. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
    

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

1. Examine reports by governments on ratified and unratified Conventions and Recommendations.  Examine and analyse complaints.  Prepare comparative analyses of the legislation and practice of the different member States. Draft comments for presentation to and discussion with high-level committees and/or groups of experts. Provide advice to colleagues on labour standards under the incumbent’s responsibility.
2. Prepare legal opinions and interpretations on a variety of legal questions or in a specialized field.
3. Prepare notes, reports and documents concerning questions of international law or labour standards, including requests for interpretations on complex legal questions, for consideration by governments, the Governing Body, the International Labour Conference and the Director-General. Develop strategies for follow-up to decisions made by policy bodies. 
4. Analyse draft labour legislation submitted by governments to the ILO for comments prior to adoption.
5. Undertake research and write studies on complex problems (i.e. judging compatibility between legislation and practice) relating to international labour standards, labour law and labour relations, as well as prepare general surveys, manuals and articles.  Supervise the preparation of statements on questions of public international law relevant to the work of the ILO.  Advise on the position to be taken by the Organization on these issues.
6. Review and approve instruments of ratification.
7. Provide technical support to special tripartite committees established by the Governing Body or commissions of inquiry to examine alleged infringements of ratified Conventions.
8. Represent the work unit at meetings, including Conference committees and industrial committees, to provide advice on legal questions or questions concerning international labour standards or labour relations. Act as adviser to Conference committees and assist in the drafting of international legal instruments and participate in pre-conference work, including drafting committees. Represent the Office at meetings of other international organizations.
9. Develop, plan and implement technical advisory and promotional activities, including tripartite seminars, workshops, lectures and discussion groups. Represent the Office on missions which may be of a sensitive or controversial nature and before judicial bodies.  Represent the work unit on internal committees or at inter-agency meetings.
10. Participate in the secretariat of various committees dealing with legal issues or labour standards, including preparation of background material and documents, drafting records of meetings, drafting reports, etc

Advanced university degree in law.

Minimum of eight years' practical experience at the national level or at least six years at the international level. Proven experience and knowledge of ILO procedures for the adoption of international labour standards, the supervision of their application and the practice of ILO supervisory bodies. Experience in fundamental labour rights, labour relations systems, institutions and procedures of social dialogue. Practical experience working with government representatives and employers’ and workers’ organizations.

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization (French or Spanish) would be an advantage.

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

Technical

The ability to design research studies and conduct comparative analyses involving the application of principles of law to the analysis of administrative, substantive and procedural problems of substantial intricacy; advise and persuade colleagues and constituents on legal questions, Capacity to participate effectively in technical missions and within team; ability to provide direct technical advice in the specialization field; knowledge on project management; ability to guide and coordinate external collaborators´ work, general service staff or young professionals; ability to prepare technically accurate reports and publications, with conclusions that may lead to an action plan and the elaboration of programmes. The ability to facilitate adequate advice regarding eminently good practices, and to approach wider issues other than the ones of the field of specialization field; ability to elaborate training materials, alternative action lines, project proposals, policies and procedures and to bring them up to high level meetings; deal with colleagues and constituents with tact and discretion. 

Behavioural
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.