Legal/Labour Law Specialist

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Team and Country Office for the Andean Countries in Lima, Peru (DWT/CO-Lima). The DWT is composed of various technical specialists that provide advisory services and technical assistance to ILO constituents. The countries covered by the Office are Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. 

The specialist will work to strengthen and enhance the application and dissemination of international labour standards in member States at all levels. He or she will ensure that the standards considerations of the ILO are fully integrated into the Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) of the countries covered by the Office.  

The incumbent will work in close collaboration with other specialists from the DWT, the Office and the region, particularly the labour law specialist. He or she will also work in close contact with the members of the employers’ and workers’ organizations who are responsible for the legal and practical aspects of international labour standards so as to provide assistance to member States on legislative reform process and promote consistency with international labour standards and the recommendations and comments of the ILO standards supervisory bodies. He or she will work with other United Nations entities and with relevant civil society stakeholders in order to promote international labour standards. The specialist will also be able to act as a focal point in relation to cross-cutting or priority issues. 

The specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Director of the DWT/CO-Lima and will receive technical guidance and advice from the International Labour Standards Department (NORMES) at headquarters. 

1. Promote the ratification of Conventions and the application of international labour standards and support social dialogue in standards-related matters. 
2. Provide technical support to governments to comply with their reporting obligations in a timely manner, in accordance with articles 19 and 22 of the Constitution, and take appropriate measures to follow up on the comments of the 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 on Freedom of Association. 
3. Establish and maintain close relationships with workers’ and employers’ organizations and State institutions, including the courts and Congress, in order to strengthen their capacities with respect to international labour standards and the ILO supervisory system.  
4. Advise ILO constituents on the application of Conventions and Recommendations as an effective means of attaining the Organization’s goals regarding decent work and social justice. 
5. Promote the establishment and proper functioning of tripartite consultation procedures in accordance with the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144).
6. Provide technical assistance to ILO constituents in policy formulation and give advice on issues pertaining to the application of international labour standards and labour relations institutions, including regarding the extension of their application to the informal economy, and promote and carry out development cooperation activities. 

7. In collaboration with the labour law specialist and with the advice of the International Labour Standards and Governance and Tripartism departments, analyse labour law bills as required by the ILO and formulate comments in order to participate in the drafting process for such bills. Provide advice and assistance to workers’ and employers’ organizations on the content of international labour standards that pertain to processes for drafting national legislation. 
8. Work in cooperation with other DWT/CO–Lima specialists to ensure that international labour standards are taken fully into account in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of DWCPs, and provide advice on labour law reform. 
9. Contribute to raising awareness of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) and the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work (2019), through the organization of workshops and seminars. Prepare promotional material. 
10. Integrate gender equality issues in all activities related to international labour standards and labour law.
11. Promote the incorporation of international labour standards in joint actions carried out in the United Nations system, in collaboration with other United Nations agencies, and in cooperation frameworks for sustainable development in countries. 
12. Carry out any other relevant activities as may be 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 six years at the international level. Proven experience and knowledge of ILO procedures for the adoption of international labour standards, supervision of their application and the practice of ILO supervisory bodies. Experience in labour relations systems and social dialogue institutions and procedures. Practical experience of and proven aptitude for working in close collaboration with social partners and government representatives.

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

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

Technical competencies

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; diplomatic skills; ability to deal with colleagues and constituents with tact and discretion.

The ability to participate effectively in technical missions and in a team; advise and persuade colleagues and constituents on legal questions and best practices and address broader issues outside the scope of specialization; present at various seminars, conferences and meetings; design and synthesize strategies for the development of opinions and programmes on international labour standards in member States; draft documents (e.g. reports for regional conferences and the ILC, technical publications, discussion documents, manuals and draft resolutions). Good oral and written communication and presentation skills. 
 

Behavioural competencies 

Sound diplomatic skills, tact and discretion. High standards of integrity, professionalism, personal discipline and impartiality. Good interpersonal skills; proven team player. Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. 
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.