Programme Officer - Database Management and Business Relations-BFC

Introduction

The garment, textile, and footwear sector remains at the heart of the Cambodian economy, generating 74% of export earnings and formally employing more than 650,000 Cambodians, the majority of them women. It is estimated that each garment worker supports another three to four family members. This means two million Cambodians depend on the garment sector for their livelihoods.

The Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) programme started operating in Cambodia in 2001. BFC is a partnership between the International Labour Organization and the International Finance Corporation that began conducting independent assessments of working conditions in Cambodian apparel factories in 2001. BFC currently assesses working conditions against ILO core international labour standards and Cambodian labour law in around 520 factories employing approximately 540,000 workers.

Since the start of the programme, BFC has aimed to improve working conditions and productivity in the Cambodian garment and footwear sector, collaborating at multiple levels of the supply chain to create sustainable solutions for all. In doing so, the programme aims to achieve improved worker health and wellbeing, as well as a knock-on effect on workers' families’ welfare, while at the same time strengthening the national industry via increased productivity and profitability in factories.

Improving labour standards in global supply chains, and ensuring that workers' rights and entitlements are protected help distribute the benefits of trade. BFC supports enterprises in implementing the ILO core international labour standards and Cambodian labour law. This helps enterprises compete in global markets where many buyers demand compliance with labour standards from their suppliers.

For the programme’s strategic phase 2019-22, BFC implements, in collaboration with the national constituents, a four year strategy that aims to transform the garment industry into a competitive industry where workers rights are being respected, employers and workers can solve problems through mature social dialogue, where institutions can intervene, advise and enforce where required and where brands support continuous improvement through stable order and fair prices.

The project has three components:

(1) Enterprise assessments against (a) ILO core international labour standards and Cambodian labour law and (b) quality and productivity;
(2) Enterprise advisory, and training services designed to support practical improvements in the factory; and
(3) Stakeholder engagement and sustainability.

For more information about the project see: betterwork.org/where-we-work/Cambodia

Under the overall guidance of the project Chief Technical Advisor and under the direct supervision of the Deputy Programme Manager the incumbent will undertake the duties mentioned below.

Description of Duties

The primary purpose of this role is to 1.) Design, manage, and monitor and evaluate administrative and business relation tasks related to BFC’s business relations (buyers as well as factories), including BFC’s systems development in collaboration with Better Work Global. 2.) Play a main role in managing buyer relations; monitoring and assessing BFC’s plans and priorities in relation to brands, acting as key focal point and assisting with planning and organizing capacity building activities. 3.) Contribute to the formulation and implementation of BFC’s monitoring and verifying accuracy of programming data, drafting substantive inputs for programme framework documents, project proposals and reports, and monitoring, assessing and reporting on programme implementation and impact, as well as supporting the Office’s communication activities.

Buyer and Factory Relations
1.    Manage buyers’ registration, invoicing, report-sharing, payment and subscription tracking. Prepare reports and monitor transactions;
2.    Act as systems administrator for BFC business systems. Identify solutions to issues raised by factories, buyers and BFC staff, escalate to IT where applicable;
3.    Act as a resource person for BFC business systems and report access procedures. Deliver presentations in external meetings and webinars to buyers and factories;
4.    Review and analyse use of BFC’s business systems. Make recommendations on improvements, track progress and participate in the development of relevant instruments and manuals.
5.    Support BFC buyer relationship activities by working closely with the BFC Management Team providing buyer and factory intelligence. Coordinate internal meetings, maintain information sharing and develop relevant materials.
6.    Provide training to factories and buyers on the use of BFC’s databases and prepare presentations and trainings to buyers and brands on registration and operational elements of the programme;
7.    Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings with buyers and factories. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings;

Programming and Monitoring and Evaluation
8.    Actively  contribute  to  the  project’s  monitoring  and  evaluation  strategy,  research plan, and  knowledge management strategy;
9.    Lead in the preparation of briefs, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of BFC;

General duties
10.    Undertake a variety of standard and higher level secretarial data management functions in support of the work of the direct supervisor, and enterprise advisors and trainers, including;
11.    Support communications activities, including both for internal and external audiences. Responsibilities will include supervising the communication officer and overseeing the implementation of BFC communications strategy, including use of technology in worker outreach programmes, and campaigns to increase knowledge sharing among the industry partners;
12.    Perform other duties as required by supervisors.

Required qualifications

Education

University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in business administration, development project, social service or equivalent.

Experience

Minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in programme and/or project planning, systems planning and development, monitoring, implementation and evaluation activities.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Khmer. Knowledge of Chinese would be an important asset.

Competencies

1.    Good communications skills, both oral and written;
2.    Good analytical skills.
3.    Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts
4.    Knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
5.    Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors
6.    Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
7.    Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office
8.    Good knowledge of business systems
9.    Good understanding of corporate social responsibility and labour compliance issues in global supply chains;
10.    Good understanding of principles of gender equality and principles of equal opportunity and how these can be promoted as part the responsibilities of the post;
11.    Self-motivated and ability to work independently in an outcomes-based work culture as well as contributing to the work of a team;
12.    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
13.    Capacity to sensitively liaise and network with a range of stakeholders including staff, donors, international buyers, government officials, management, unions and NGOs.

optional section (if needed)

Additional info.

Applicants can only attach 1 document to their application. This should include a cover letter, and must also include a 2-page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. In doing this you should have a heading for each competency and explain in 2 -3 paragraphs to the selection committee how your skills and experience show that you meet this. Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview.