Technical Specialist on Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining - P4

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, whose primary goal is to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity and creating jobs of acceptable quality. Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) are the main vehicle for delivery of ILO support to country in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

The ILO Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, and for the Special Representative to the AU and the ECA, based in Addis Ababa implements its programmes and activities in close partnership with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in particular with its technical line, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA), as well as the employers’ and workers’ organizations.

The ILO is currently implementing a comprehensive sectoral programme on “Advancing Decent Work and inclusive industrialization in Ethiopia” focusing primarily on the garment and textile sector. A commitment to the textile and garment sector is part of Ethiopia’s broad Industrial Development Strategic Plan (2013-2025) to propel the country to middle-income status over the next decade.

Ethiopia has a nascent garment sector poised for rapid growth. While the sector represents opportunities for business, industrialization, job creation and inclusive economic growth, a concerted effort from various actors is required to realize its potential and address the challenges facing the sector, including low wages and poor working conditions, resulting in low productivity, high turnover and absentee rates, as well as weak regulatory institutions.

Through coordinated interventions at factory, sectoral and national level, this programme aims to improve workers’ wellbeing and achieve higher industry productivity and competitiveness. It provides an opportunity to promote and inculcate a culture of prevention and protection in the industry from its inception, while assisting the government, social partners and other major stakeholders in their efforts to develop social dialogue within and between the parties, and to improve wages and working conditions through sharing productivity gains, and promoting sound labour relations practices, and collective bargaining.

The following ILO departments, branches and programmes provide support to the implementation of this programme: Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health (LABADMIN/OSH), Vision Zero Fund (VZF), Better Work (BETTERWORK), Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions (INWORK), Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Global Programme on Employment Injury Insurance and Protection (GEIP), Multinational Enterprises (MULTI), Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP), Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV).

Reporting Lines:

The Technical Specialist will provide support to Advancing Decent Work and Inclusive Industrialization Programme in the implementation of the programme’s component focused on sound and inclusive labour relations and collective bargaining.

The Technical Specialist on Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the programme, and will be based in Addis Ababa. The overall supervision will be provided by the Director of the ILO Office in Ethiopia. The incumbent will receive technical supervision and backstopping support by INWORK in ILO HQ. S/he will also liaise with the relevant technical specialists from the ILO’s Decent Work Team (DWT) based in Cairo, as appropriate.

• Provide technical inputs and policy advisory services on matters pertaining to labour relations and collective bargaining. 
• In collaboration with the technical department, conduct comprehensive assessments of labour relations and collective bargaining frameworks and presenting reports with policy recommendations and supporting tripartite constituents in the implementation of the recommendations.
• Develop in collaboration with INWORK technical materials for the project, including inventories of good practices, peer-reviewed technical training packages, guidelines and tools, and awareness-raising campaigns based on thorough stock-taking and adaption of available ILO tools and materials, making use also of the other ILO technical units as needed.
• Provide trainings and technical support to national stakeholders and factories to design and implement actions to improve collective bargaining and industrial relations.
• Ensure programme’s component on industrial relations and collective bargaining, are implanted according to the workplan as outlined in the Project Document (ProDoc) of the programme as well as in line with ILO rules and regulations.
• Provide technical support to other components of Advancing Decent Work programme on a matters pertinent to industrial relations and collective bargaining
• Work closely with colleagues in the other components of Advancing Decent Work programme to ensure coordination in the different components of the programme so to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall intervention.
• Liaise with INWORK, the specialists from DTW Cairo, and other relevant ILO technical units to ensure effective technical support, coordination and collaboration.
• Prepare technical progress reports and other documents with a specific focus on issues related to sound and inclusive labour relations, collective bargaining, and wage-fixing, including project briefs, updates and donor proposals, as required.
• Develop, implement and maintain processes for effective work planning, organization, coordination and monitoring of programme’s operations on labour relations and collective bargaining in order to ensure that all relevant outputs are delivered according to schedule and that objectives are achieved, in close collaboration with the Head of the ILO apparel and textile programme, the M&E officer as well as INWORK and DWT Cairo, as needed.

• Participate in the Programme’s Advisory Committee (PAC), the Tripartite Technical Working Groups (TWGs), the Development Partners’ Coordination Platform, as well as trade unions, employers’ organizations, and factories.
• Build relationships with project stakeholders and respond to regular meeting requests by providing updates and fulfilling other information needs.
• Support the Head of the ILO apparel and textile programme and the ILO Office in Addis Ababa to meet the expectations of national, regional and international stakeholders within the overall context of the ILO apparel and textile programme in Ethiopia.
• Any other duties assigned by the Country Office Director or Head of the Programme

Advanced university degree in the field of labour/industrial relations, labour economics, labour law, social sciences, business management or equivalent experience

Eight years’ professional experience at the national level or five years at the international level in the field of labour relations and collective bargaining, working with trade unions and/or the private sector in developing countries, on capacity building, project management or related fields. Relevant experience in the garment and textile sector would be an advantage.

Excellent command of English. A working knowledge of one of the other ILO working languages (French or Spanish) would be an advantage.

• Wide knowledge of the work of the ILO, including International Labour Standards relevant to industrial relations, main policies, rules and procedures, including regarding project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures.
• High level of technical knowledge of industrial relations policy issues and labour market governance, including but not limited to labour relations, freedom of association, collective bargaining, workplace cooperation, prevention and resolution of labour disputes, and wage-fixing mechanisms.
• High level of understanding of gender equality, gender mainstreaming and equal opportunity principles and approaches.
• Track record in understanding and dealing with labour relations and collective bargaining issues in the garment and textile’s global supply chains and, more specifically, familiarity with the challenges faced by garment and textile industry in Ethiopia.
• Track record in understanding ILO constituency, liaising and working effectively with government officials, representatives from trade unions and employers’ organisations as well as with a range of external stakeholders, including UN staff, development partners, global brands, and other organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, adapt and implement education activities, trainings and capacity building programmes, particularly in developing countries.
• Excellent problem solving skills and capacity to define and resolve complex issues in a manner that reflects the interests of various project’s stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative research and reach empirically-based conclusions on related subjects, as well as to provide seasoned advice on good practices, and design and formulate new concepts, strategies and methodologies for project intervention.
• Excellent managerial skills and ability to train, guide and supervise personnel, build effective teamwork, and achieve agreed outcomes, including coordinating the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals under their responsibilities.

• Ability to produce reports and monitor development cooperation activities and projects.
• Ability to contribute to the formulation, administration and evaluation of projects, including the ability to identify, analyse and resolve problems related to project implementation.
• Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
• Strong written and oral communication skills as well as demonstrated advocacy and negotiation capacities aimed to positively influence stakeholders and mobilize support of governments, social partners and other actors.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes
• Ability to conduct policy discussions and high-level political processes.
• Ability to work under time and political pressure to meet deadlines.