Senior Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining Specialist

Introduction

The position is located in the Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) of the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY). The Branch aims to improve the working conditions and protection of workers through effective policies while contributing to achieving an inclusive labour market which provides access to quality employment for all. Supporting the development of sound labour relations is the cornerstone of a strategy to realize such outcomes and to ensure a just share of the fruits of economic and social progress for all.

The Senior Specialist will lead a group of technical specialists and will be responsible for the ILO’s activities in the field of labour relations and collective bargaining. The incumbent will also contribute to designing and leading integrated activities involving labour relations and collective bargaining that aim to increase the efficiency and inclusiveness of labour market institutions and to strengthen workers’ protection.

The position will report to the Chief of INWORK.

Specific Duties

1.Manage and coordinate the work of the ILO’s Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining Group and lead high-level policy-oriented research and policy development activities in the field of labour relations, collective bargaining, as well as information, consultation and cooperation at the workplace. 
2.Design and co-lead, in collaboration with other members of the Branch, the Department and ILO field offices, integrated approaches and activities aiming to strengthen the inclusiveness and efficiency of labour market institutions and their contribution to equality, labour market performance, strengthening workers’ protection and addressing vulnerability at work.
3.Coordinate and contribute to the production of high-level reports, publications and documents related to labour relations, collective bargaining and information, consultation and cooperation at the workplace, for ILO governing organs, Regional Meetings and other tripartite meetings. 
4.Foster the role of collective bargaining in the design and implementation of policies and measures in the areas of wages, working conditions, employment protection and labour market security, including in relation to gender-related topics and those aiming to improve the inclusion and protection of workers in vulnerable situations. 
5.Lead high-level missions and provide policy advice to ILO constituents on the strengthening of labour relations and collective bargaining. In particular, develop innovative policies to assist the governments and social partners in expanding the influence of collective bargaining and labour relations in contributing to decent working conditions, inclusive labour markets and equality at work. 
6.Coordinate technical backstopping with ILO offices and field specialists with regard to their country assistance activities aiming to improve the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour relations and collective bargaining.  
7.Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of development cooperation projects, including on supply chains, that include activities on collective bargaining and industrial relations. Participate in the mobilization of the corresponding resources.
8.Promote, at the national and international levels, the international labour standards related to industrial relations, with a particular focus on those related to collective bargaining as well as information, consultation and cooperation at the workplace level.
9.Represent the ILO in high-level international events with the view to promoting ILO knowledge, activities and policies in the area of labour relations and collective bargaining.
10.Develop cooperation with ILO technical departments and programmes (both at ILO headquarters and in field offices) as well as partnerships with academic institutions and a variety of national and international organizations with the view to increasing outreach, effectiveness and quality of the policy development activities in the area of labour relations and collective bargaining.
11.Participate in the elaboration, monitoring and reporting of outcome-based work plans in the context of the ILO Programme and Budget.
12.Elaborate and monitor the budget and manage the human resources required for the implementation of the activities under the position’s responsibility.
13.Perform other relevant duties as required.

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 economics, or a relevant social science or legal studies, with demonstrated expertise in the field of labour/industrial relations and collective bargaining.

Experience

Ten to fifteen years of experience in the field of labour/industrial relations and collective bargaining. This should include at least seven years’ experience at the international level.

Languages

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

Competencies

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

Demonstrated and recognized technical and /or managerial leadership in carrying out the objectives and policies of the related work unit. In-depth knowledge on labour relations’ policies and issues, ability to lead research, analysis and provide high-level guidance on broad range of labour relations policies. Good knowledge of labour market institutions, including in both developed and emerging economies. Demonstrated technical expertise to devise new methods, concepts, approaches and techniques, leading to development of ILO standards and technical guidelines and ability to prepare ILO strategy reports in the related field for programme development, the ability to provide policy advice and the ability to manage large projects to coordinate activities among projects. Ability to address and communicate with a variety of audiences (both technical and non-technical). Good inter-personal skills and ability to liaise and cooperate with other members of the team and other programmes and field offices. Good knowledge and understanding of international labour standards and the importance of a gender-sensitive approach. The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.