Senior Specialist on Labour Administration

Introduction

The position is located in the Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch (LABADMIN/OSH) of the Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE) within the ILO’s Policy Portfolio. GOVERNANCE has three Branches (Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; Better Work; Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health) and two Units (Social Dialogue and Tripartism; Labour Law and Reform).

LABADMINOSH is responsible for raising awareness, providing policy and technical advice and strengthening the capacities of constituents in line with applicable international labour standards in relation to national systems of labour administration, workplace compliance through labour inspection, and the development of a global and national preventative occupational safety and health culture. Its mission is to: support action at international, regional and national levels; develop and implement programmes and tools for strengthening the institutional and human capacity of labour administration institutions; and support institutions of work in developing occupational safety and health policies, strategies and measures for the prevention of occupational injuries, diseases and fatalities, and increasing compliance with national labour laws through labour inspection.

The position is responsible for leading the design, development, coordination and implementation of programmes, projects, methodologies and tools to strengthen the governance of labour administration institutions and the functioning of national systems of labour administration. The position will also be responsible to assist the Branch in identifying, creating and maintaining opportunities for collaboration with internal units, regional networks, United Nations (UN) agencies, multilateral partners, and research institutions working in the areas of governance and labour administration.

The position will report to the Branch Chief and will work in close consultation with the team leads on labour inspection, occupational safety and health and programming and operations for specific projects and deliverables.

Specific Duties

1. Conduct, coordinate and provide oversight for research in the area of labour administration, namely in relation to global trends and comparative practice on the organization and management of national systems of labour administration, representation of ministries in charge of labour in the definition and implementation of social and economic plans, coordination with other government functions, collaboration with social partners, definition and implementation of public policies for labour market regulation, tripartite consultation, labour law compliance, and integrated policy and regulatory responses to new challenges in the world of work.
2. Coordinate, prepare and conduct high level events, conferences, meetings of experts, and workshops on good governance through labour administration, namely in coordination with regional networks of labour administration, the ILO International Training Centre in Turin, other UN agencies, and research institutions.
3. Lead the design, development, and implementation of assessment methodologies to evaluate, monitor, and improve the governance of labour administration institutions, labour administration programmes, projects and activities, namely in relation to the set-up and functioning of national systems of labour administration and the application of principles of public management to the labour administration context, in line with the provisions of the Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150).
4. Identify needs, propose and develop policy and technical guidance on the implementation of the elements contained in Convention No. 150 and other applicable international labour standards, notably in terms of enhancing the effectiveness, accountability and inclusiveness of labour administration institutions.
5. Identify and engage with development cooperation partners, including within the UN system for the design, coordination and implementation of programmes, projects and activities in the area of labour administration.
6. Identify and promote opportunities to work collaboratively and develop integrated labour administration strategies within GOVERNANCE and other ILO departments, branches, and units at headquarters and in field offices to promote the Decent Work Agenda.
7. Coordinate the work of the Branch in relation to the development of global tools, guidelines and technical materials related to labour market governance through labour administration, namely in relation to the extension of coverage and services to the informal economy, remote work and other non-standard forms of employment, cross-border labour market regulation and enforcement.
8. Develop, manage and maintain networks, partnerships and collaborations with individual experts and regional institutions necessary to support ILO programmes, projects and activities in relation to labour market governance through labour administration.
9. Provide policy and technical advice to ILO field offices and national constituents on policy formulation and implementation in the area of labour administration, in particular regarding institutional strengthening and application of international labour standards, on topics related to public administration planning and programming, modernization, policy and strategy setting, accountability, and human resources management.
10. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

optional section (only if needed)

Generic Duties

1. Lead, organize, plan, supervise and control the work of a technical unit (including managerial functions).
2. Design and promote a wide range of special subject-matter-related programmes, This involves analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics, information or policy guidelines in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognized technical specialization. 
3. Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes.
4. Assume full responsibility for policy formulation and providing policy advice to ILO’s constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of development cooperation activities.
5. Develop project design, review proposals, formulate, revise and submit project proposals and negotiate funding.
6. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.
7. Lead technical advisory missions.
8. Conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings.
9. Prepare recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO recommendations on related technical fields.
10. Write manuals and training guides on related topics.
11. Disseminate information on action programmes through publications and press releases as well as ensuring representation at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.
12. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by junior technical officers and external collaborators.
13. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, conference reports, Director General’s report to ILC).

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in public administration, public management, law, economics or social sciences with demonstrated expertise in public management and labour administration.

Experience

A minimum of ten years’ experience in public management of which at least seven years at the international level. Considerable practical experience in the design and implementation of labour administration policies and management of public administration institutions. Demonstrated experience in conducting research on labour market governance and management of public administration institutions.

Languages

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

Competencies

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

Technical

Demonstrated ability to conduct and synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; demonstrated skills in applying research to practical applications; demonstrated ability to assist in the development, coordination, management and implementation of programs, projects and activities; demonstrated ability to plan and conduct high level meetings, conferences and workshops.

Behavioural
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate; ability to lead and work as a member of a team across disciplines; to take initiative and to exercise leadership, discretion, and common courtesy; accept accountability for outcomes; work under tight deadlines. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.