Legal Specialist, Violence, Harassment, and Non-discrimination

Introduction

This position is located in the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) within the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY). GEDI is responsible for promoting gender equality and non-discrimination, and respect for inclusion and diversity in the world of work, and managing the ILO’s programme on HIV and AIDS. GEDI addresses gender equality and non-discrimination from a holistic perspective, with a view to supporting laws, policies and other measures that address effectively discrimination on a range of grounds and their intersections. Grounds covered include gender, race, ethnicity, indigenous identity, disability, HIV and other health status, sexual orientation and gender identity. Preventing and addressing violence and harassment, as a serious manifestation of discrimination, and supporting the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, as acknowledged in the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), is a key focus of the work of the Branch. The Convention acknowledges that there are groups disproportionately affected by violence and harassment and the importance of ensuring the right to equality and non-discrimination of such groups. 

The Legal Specialist will be responsible for providing legal analysis and support in the development of gender-responsive legislation, policies and measures in relation to the technical areas covered by the Branch, including multiple and intersectional discrimination, and in particular in the context of the promotion of the ratification and implementation of Convention No. 190. 

The position will report to the Senior Specialist on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination who coordinates the gender team. The incumbent will also work with other teams in the Branch, given the cross-cutting nature of the role of the position. 
 

Specific Duties

1.    Review legislation, policies and measures and provide technical and legal advice to ILO constituents on how to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of national laws, policies and institutions regarding gender equality and non-discrimination, including with respect to violence and harassment in the world of work, and multiple and intersectional discrimination, in line with relevant international labour standards.

2.    Undertake comparative legal research and prepare publications on questions relating to gender equality and non-discrimination, including on violence and harassment in the world of work, drawing on international labour standards and other international instruments, and contribute to the development of innovative knowledge and action-oriented policy advice. 

3.    Provide technical and legal advice regarding the ratification of Convention No. 190, including preparing and coordinating national legal reviews and facilitating measures to overcome identified gaps, and the implementation of the Convention and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206) by ensuring the application of an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach. 

4.    Contribute to gender equality and non-discrimination initiatives, in particular with respect to analysing the effectiveness of different legal environments, and regulatory approaches that are effective in overcoming structural discrimination, including for women from marginalized or disadvantaged groups and in the informal economy.

5.    Prepare or contribute to publications and reports, including Governing Body reports, policy briefs, tools and other resource materials on the legal and related policy aspects of various dimensions of gender equality and non-discrimination, including multiple and intersecting discrimination, for ILO constituents and other stakeholders.

6.    Design and deliver specialized capacity building, in collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin (Italy) where appropriate, for governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, members of the judiciary, dispute resolution authorities, legal professionals, labour inspectors and other relevant stakeholders, on equality and non-discrimination, including to support national legislative processes and the design of relevant laws and regulations in the context of the ratification and implementation of Convention No. 190. 

7.    Represent the Organization and make contributions at high-level meetings, seminars, and conferences, and UN inter-agency networks and events; promote ILO standards, priorities and recommendations on equality and non-discrimination within the UN system and through global and regional processes and initiatives. 

8.    Design and review proposals and mobilize resources for development cooperation projects on gender equality and non-discrimination, including to support the ratification of Convention No. 190 and the implementation of the Convention and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206). 

9.    Coordinate the technical working group, or other internal coordination mechanisms, across ILO Departments at headquarters and in the field for the implementation of the ILO strategy for the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work.

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:

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Generic Duties

1. Examine reports by governments on ratified and unratified Conventions and Recommendations.  Examine and analyse complaints.  Prepare comparative analyses of the legislation and practice of the different member States. Draft comments for presentation to and discussion with high-level committees and/or groups of experts. Provide advice to colleagues on labour standards under the incumbent’s responsibility.
2. Prepare legal opinions and interpretations on a variety of legal questions or in a specialized field.
3. Prepare notes, reports and documents concerning questions of international law or labour standards, including requests for interpretations on complex legal questions, for consideration by governments, the Governing Body, the International Labour Conference and the Director-General. Develop strategies for follow-up to decisions made by policy bodies. 
4. Analyse draft labour legislation submitted by governments to the ILO for comments prior to adoption.
5. Undertake research and write studies on complex problems (i.e. judging compatibility between legislation and practice) relating to international labour standards, labour law and labour relations, as well as prepare general surveys, manuals and articles.  Supervise the preparation of statements on questions of public international law relevant to the work of the ILO.  Advise on the position to be taken by the Organization on these issues.
6. Review and approve instruments of ratification.
7. Provide technical support to special tripartite committees established by the Governing Body or commissions of inquiry to examine alleged infringements of ratified Conventions.
8. Represent the work unit at meetings, including Conference committees and industrial committees, to provide advice on legal questions or questions concerning international labour standards or labour relations. Act as adviser to Conference committees and assist in the drafting of international legal instruments and participate in pre-conference work, including drafting committees. Represent the Office at meetings of other international organizations.
9. Develop, plan and implement technical advisory and promotional activities, including tripartite seminars, workshops, lectures and discussion groups. Represent the Office on missions which may be of a sensitive or controversial nature and before judicial bodies.  Represent the work unit on internal committees or at inter-agency meetings.
10. Participate in the secretariat of various committees dealing with legal issues or labour standards, including preparation of background material and documents, drafting records of meetings, drafting reports, etc

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced degree in law.

Experience

Minimum of eight years’ practical experience at the national level or at least six years at the international level working on labour-related issues with focus on gender equality and non-discrimination in the world of work. 
 

Languages

Excellent command of two official languages (English, French, Spanish) of the Organization. A working knowledge of a third official language would be an asset.

Competencies

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

Technical

Excellent knowledge of gender and non-discrimination laws, policies and institutions, and related international labour standards; demonstrated advanced oral communication and drafting skills. Ability to: design research studies and conduct comparative analyses involving the application of principles of law to the analysis of administrative, substantive and procedural problems of substantial intricacy; develop, evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects; advise and persuade colleagues and constituents on legal questions; address politically sensitive issues.

Behavioural
Ability to build internal and external networks, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve shared goals, and encourage cooperation. Accepts responsibility and accountability. Strong interpersonal skills, tact, discretion, confidentiality and diplomacy. Ability to prioritize work and meet tight deadlines. High standards of integrity, professionalism and personal discipline. Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.