Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) - P5

Introduction

Since 2013, the ILO has been working together with the Government of Bangladesh and social partners on improving working conditions in Bangladesh’s Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector. Major foundations have been built for improved labour rights and working conditions in the industry paving the way as the economy grows for similar conditions to be enjoyed incrementally by other local and export industries. An important area of work that, despite continuing technical and awareness-raising work has not advanced as quickly as envisioned, has been that of establishment of an Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) in the RMG sector and beyond, despite Rana Plaza building collapse tragedy. 

The technical cooperation project in which this position is embedded supports the implementation of a trial in the RMG sector to cover work-related injuries, with the aim of developing and gathering evidence that a functioning employment injury scheme could be an asset for Bangladesh. The trial adopts and incremental approach and is grounded on two main components. First, strengthening the existing capacity of stakeholders in delivering medical care and compensation services for temporary incapacity; second, introducing a risk-pooling approach for long-term compensation for workers with permanent incapacity and long term compensation for family member of deceased workers. The trial will be developed and in-sync with the broader social protection system advancement effort ongoing in Bangladesh. 

.

A senior manager with experience is needed to steer the project effectively through the establishment process of EIS. The CTA will be in charge of the oversight of the project where major emphasis is being placed to steer the overall operational environment to sustain results. Overall, he/she will be responsible for the administrative, operational, and technical supervision, as well as for the implementation of project interventions under the technical guidance of senior experts in HQ (ENTERPRISE/GEIP and SOCPRO) and will ensure coordination with the EIS national high level tripartite committee (on which the ILO is seating as an observer ). The incumbent will administratively report to the CO-Dhaka Director, while technically report to senior experts at HQ (ENTERPRISE/GEIP and SOCPRO) and senior social protection specialist of DWT/CO-New Delhi. The CTA will work under the overall programmatic framework developed for the RMG Sector by CO-Dhaka, complementing the project’s own objectives. The programmatic approach will enable a better use of the financial and technical inputs of the project to be used strategically. To this extent the CTA will prepare documentation as required under the project and coordinate with other Chief Technical Advisors (CTAs) of relevant projects in the RMG cluster. 
 

Description of Duties

1.    Plan, direct and monitor implementation of Project activities; Provide leadership to the Project team in preparing detailed work plans, regularly checking progress of deliverables and budget expenditures against work plans, and proposing any needed adjustments to the CO-Dhaka and senior experts in HQ and DWT/CO-New Delhi.
2.    Manage the Project, ensuring smooth administrative and accounting operations, coordination with the ILO CO-Dhaka, and completion of all financial transactions according to ILO financial rules as well as donor procedures. Maintain a clearly defined and fair division of responsibilities and work load for all Project staff; Set up and maintain effective management of; record-keeping and correspondence, schedules for staff performance appraisals, and vehicle records.
3.    Coordinate project planning and activities with government ministries and institutions as well as representatives of the social partners; Ensure that all stakeholders are kept up to date on progress and can contribute to problem solving and implementation of the project.
4.    Provide secretariat support to the EIS Tripartite Committee for the holding of regular meetings, so that it can carry out its trial’s guidance functions.
5.    Ensure that necessary support is provided to the agency that will implement the project, with the view of ensuring smooth delivery of benefits and resolving any challenges in the most efficient way.
6.    Under the technical guidance of GEIP and SOCPRO, plan and coordinate high level advocacy efforts on the trial with government authorities, social partners and brands, with the view of keeping them abreast on the progress of the trial and address challenges in the most effective and efficient way. Such advocacy efforts cover, inter alia, employment related accident prevention, accident reporting, Management Information System, compensation claims management, delivery mechanism, social insurance financial transaction and fund management, disability assessment, and application of relevant ILO Standards.
 

.

7.    Coordinate the trial’s activities with other partners and donors, in particular GIZ, as well as liaise with other stakeholders, including brands, the European Union and IFIs, putting forward initiatives related to Social Insurance Schemes to find out how these other initiatives could support, fit in or be complementary to the trial.
8.    Lead the national workshops, seminars, on EIS and participate to the review of the draft reports prepared by the national experts for finalization of the reports/ lessons learned/ manuals/ tools, etc.  
9.    Ensure fund mobilization for the project for continuity towards a sustainable EIS scheme. Conduct presentation with the potential donors. 
10.    At the end of the first period of engagement (12 months), lead the lessons learnt exercise with the view of ensuring that the conditions to roll out the trial are known and proposing the accompanied strategy to get there.
 

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in social science/development studies, human resources development, governance, law, economy, business administration, or any related field.

Experience

At least ten years of work experience, of which at least seven years at the international level in governmental agencies, international organizations and NGOs, donor partners. Experience in managing international Technical Cooperation projects is essential

Knowledge of working with the government and social partners and project management and working experience in Bangladesh are the assets.

Languages

English fluency. Knowledge of the local language - Bengali would be an advantage.
 

Competencies

⦁    Ability to adopt to a challenging environment

⦁    Proven ability to take ownership, act with integrity & transparency by maintaining social, ethical & organisational norms & meet all commitments within prescribed time, cost & quality standards.

⦁    Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project objectives & design & synthesise strategies for program development.

⦁    Ability to advocate & provide policy advice.

⦁    Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents & procedural matters. 

⦁    Ability to promote a knowledge sharing & learning culture in office & focus/guide others to meet objectives at individual/group level. 

⦁    Excellent leadership & interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively in a team 

⦁    Written & verbal communication skills, including ability to write accurate reports & build networks. 

⦁    Proven capacity to initiate & implement development cooperation project activities with partners.

⦁    Maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment & adjust effectively to new structures, processes, requirements or cultures. 

⦁    Work in a multicultural environment & demonstrate gender-sensitive & non-discriminatory behaviour & attitudes. 

⦁    Excellent negotiation skills & ability to provide high quality services 

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