National Project Officer- NOA (RBSA)

Since the publication of the Consolidation Labour Laws (CLT) in 1943, Brazil has been able to create a solid legal and institutional framework around Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards. However, the incidence of occupational accidents and diseases is still remarkably high in the country. According to a survey carried out by the Ministry of Economy (Secretary of Social Security), 700 thousand work accidents occur annually. Data from the Observatory for Occupational Safety and Health shows that one occupational death occurs every three hours and 40 minutes.

In 2019, the Federal Government reformed the process for readjusting the regulatory standards (NRs) with a view to increasing its efficiency. The Permanent Joint Tripartite Commission (CTPP) is the committee responsible for discussing, preparing and reviewing the NRs for OSH, bringing together representatives of government, worker and employers that have technical autonomy, knowledge, academic training and experience in the matter.

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, additional reviews, or even new regulations or OSH standards, including NRs, will likely be necessary and become a priority in the country for workers in general. Considering that the current crisis will most likely add complexity, it is fundamental to continue guarantying a tripartite review/regulation process that allows for a productive and effective social dialogue that observes the instructions of Ordinance no 1224 from the Ministry of Economy (December 28, 2018).

To collaborate in this context, the ILO Office in Brasilia will implement a new technical cooperation project with three expected decent work results, focusing on institutional and behavioural changes: a)Tripartite sectoral social dialogue spaces at federal, state or sectoral level for the review/regulation of OSH standards and the establishment of OSH protocols against COVID-19 are created or strengthened, taking into consideration gender equality and non-discrimination measures; b) Increased Constituents knowledge and capacities regarding OSH review/regulation, helping them to understand: 1) technical aspects to be taken into account at review/regulation processes; 2) other countries´ action in relation to legal frameworks; and 3) sector-specific workplace responses and gender equality and non-discrimination measures; and c) Increased knowledge, communication and advocacy capacities of Constituents related to ILO Conventions n. 155, 187 and other relevant OSH instruments with a sectoral focus or related to specific risks or preventive measures.

Reporting lines and functions:

To assist in the regulation/review processes, the National Project Officer will facilitate effective social dialogue between constituents (with a clearly defined geographical and/or sectoral focus), support the share of best practices and lessons learned from other Member States, provide access to studies not available in Portuguese and offer specific capacity-building and technical inputs to Constituents, as required by them. The National Officer will also facilitate the elaboration of studies to support debates and decision-making.
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programming Officer of CO-Brasilia and in close coordination with relevant Regional and HQ Units, Operations Unity of the CO-Brasilia and its programme and projects, the incumbent will undertake the functions below:

1.    Review and analyse the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information. Identify potential technical cooperation areas, creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of resource mobilization strategy and provide written analysis on the findings to the Senior Programing Officer.

2.    Work in close collaboration with Constituents to design, implement, elaborate, monitor  and revise project annual work plans as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, in terms of management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of Constituents, provide of top-quality policy advice services to Constituents and other social partners.

3.    Elaborate progress and final reports guaranteeing clarity, consistency and completeness, and monitor the progress of Project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.

4.    Follow-up with relevant technical officers of counterparts at national level, partner and executing agencies, Constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.

5.    Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions.

6.    Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone. When authorized, undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

7.    Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate into local language official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials.

8.    Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project.

9.    Perform operational tasks, such as: updating electronic and physical files, acquisition of office supplies, monitoring of contracts, entry records of consultants, company representatives or Constituents in the ILO building, among other related tasks.

10.     Prepare Terms of Reference and conduct simplified or complete, public or individual bidding processes to contract companies, as required and in accordance with ILO rules. Follow up the process, create purchase requisitions ensure its approval, ensure the issuance of the contract and its signature, and provide of support to contract consultants, follow-up on ongoing contracts. Provide necessary actions for new vendors or updates and monitor their proper approval and effectiveness in the system.

11.    Create vouchers for invoice payments. Monitor the effectiveness of the requested payment, including providing supplemental documentation or resubmission of the payment request; whenever necessary.
12.    Reflect in IRIS budget revisions of resource reallocation, substantive, mandatory and final. Reflect support documentation according to the issuance of purchase requisitions and vouchers issued in IRIS for approval of the Program Officer and issue to the Finance Unit.

First level university degree in law, political or social sciences, project management, development studies or a relevant field. A technical course or advanced degree in occupational safety and health would be a strong advantage.

At least two years of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.

 Excellent command in English and Portuguese. Good knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage.

Good knowledge of development issues and social dialog as well as OSH, labour market, working conditions and employment and social policies. Knowledge of the policy making process.

1)    Technical Competencies
-    Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Brazil
-    Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations
-    Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise
-    Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills
-    Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
-    Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
-    Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative
-    Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
-    Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline
-    Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications
-    Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.

2)    Behavioural Competencies

All ILO core personal or behavioral competencies (Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning & knowledge sharing, Communication, Client orientation, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration) is mandatory to observe by its personnel, however this position emphatically requires the following competences: Sensitivity to diversity, Takes responsibility for performance, Collaboration and Quality orientation