Better Work Branch Chief

Background

The position is located in the BETTER WORK Branch within the Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE). The overall approach of BETTER WORK is to create lasting, positive change through assessments, training, advocacy and research that changes policies, attitudes, as well as behaviour. By sharing BETTER WORK’s approach and the results of its on-the-ground work, BETTER WORK seeks to influence policy makers and decision makers to promote decent work and better business in the garment industry.

About Better Work
We mobilize global brands, governments, factory owners and workers to improve working conditions, drive competitiveness and create a more equitable, more prosperous world.

The Power of Convening
As a partnership between the UN’s International Labour Organization and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation, we know how to bring diverse groups together to create positive action that improves working conditions while stimulating productivity and competitiveness.

A Proven Approach
We create lasting, measurable change by empowering factories to improve the working conditions in their facilities. Our assessments are the global gold standard for rigour and integrity. Our training programs and advisory services change attitudes as well as behaviours.

National Action/ Global Influence
Through our comprehensive, university-led research, and by sharing best practices from our on-the-ground experience, we are able to shape the agenda well beyond the countries in which we work, influencing governments, brands and policy makers to make improving working conditions a top priority.

Purpose
Our work and our research have demonstrated – to employers, unions, global brands and governments – that improving working conditions and defending the rights of workers benefits all of us. We’ve improved the lives of 5 million workers, and millions more family members, while enhancing the profitability of their employers. There is no trade-off between better work and better business.

For more information see www.betterwork.org

Introduction

The Better Work Branch Chief is responsible for the overall management of the geographically diverse Better Work programme, including its operations in multiple Country Programmes and a Global secretariat split across Geneva and Bangkok.  The role entails responsibility for financial, administrative and human resource management, resource mobilization for existing and new programmes and relationship management with internal and external stakeholders including other ILO departments, tripartite constituents at the national and international level, global brands and government and corporate donors.  Liaising closely with ILO’s recently established Priority Action Programme on Supply Chains, the Better Work Branch Chief will represent, advocate and support the implementation of the ILO’s position on the improvement of working conditions in the garment and related sectors. 

The Better Work Branch Chief is accountable to a joint IFC and ILO Management Group. All Better Work staff at the global and country level report technically through the Branch Chief to the Management Group.  The position reports to the Director of GOVERNANCE.

The Better Work Branch Chief is supported by a team of senior staff, over whom s/he has direct supervisory responsibilities.
 

Description of Duties

1.    Guide Better Work in the pursuit of its mission and, in consultation with the programme’s Advisory Committee and Management Group, provide leadership in the planning, coordination and direction of Better Work activities.  Set strategic objectives and priorities to promote cooperation with other ILO departments and IFC programmes to maximize impact.  Lead, by example, the continuing development of a high-performance work culture that expects and achieves levels of excellence in its support to constituents and other stakeholders and beneficiaries. 

2.    Ensure that the Better Work Programme is aligned with the ILO Action Programme on Supply Chains and supports the implementation of the ILO Strategy for achieving Decent Work in Supply Chains. Support ILO’s commitments under the Programme and Budget and enable a co-ordinated policy approach to engagement with tripartite constituents. 

3.    In coordination and full cooperation with Country Directors who exercise their responsibilities in accordance with the ILO field office accountability policy, take responsibility for the work of Country Programme Managers/CTAs in all Better Work programmes and interventions worldwide and ensure that the global Better Work workforce is appropriately qualified, resourced, supported and motivated to make the best contribution possible to the programme objectives.

4.    Ensure that gender equity, diversity and inclusion is mainstreamed throughout the work of the Better Work programme by assessing the implications in this area of any planned action.  Foster an enabling environment for gender equity, diversity, inclusion and open communication between all staff across geographical and hierarchical boundaries.

5.    Mobilise resources in support of the Better Work programme.  Take overall responsibility for the generation of programme funding and take strategic decisions in relation to funds allocations across Better Work Country Programmes.

6.    Provide leadership in management excellence and direct supervision to the senior staff that comprise Better Work’s Senior Management Team and ensure that they too are appropriately qualified, resourced, supported and motivated to achieve, in their various individual roles, the programme’s strategic objectives.  Ensure the effective design and implementation of work plans and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the activities under the incumbent's direct supervision, establishing performance objectives for staff and monitoring their achievements.

7.    Take overall responsibility for operational, financial, administrative and human resource management as applicable, ensure that ILO policies and procedures are fully followed and, under delegated authority from the Treasurer, act as Approving Officer.

Desirable Profile

The set of qualifications below is indicative of the type of experience, education, language skills and competencies expected for this position.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in one of the following areas:  international development, social sciences, business administration, economics or another relevant field.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at the international level in the field of programme leadership, strategic programming, partnership building and resource mobilisation, including in relation to development cooperation programmes globally.  This experience must include time spent working in developing countries in areas including social dialogue, private sector development, corporate social responsibility, labour law and policy administration and labour standards compliance in supply chains.  Experience working in the ILO or working closely with the ILO, another UN agency, multilateral organisation or a significant organisation within the garment sector is required.  

Languages

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

Competencies

1    Excellent leadership and management skills, including an ability to motivate, lead, communicate with and remain approachable to a large multidisciplinary team of professionals across multiple geographical locations and at all hierarchical levels.    

2    Ability to strategically plan, direct, organise and administer diverse activities, with limited financial and human resources, to ensure effective delivery of a large programme.

3    Excellent knowledge of labour standards, global supply chains, corporate social responsibility issues, such as compliance needs assessments, remediation, capacity building and training.  

4    Excellent knowledge of industrial relations and ability to build social dialogue between management and unions at the enterprise level.

5    Proven capacity to liaise and work with ILO constituents, international organisations, and with international buyers in their global supply chains. 

6    Excellent analytical skills, including demonstrated ability to provide authoritative and strategic advice and recommendations in relation to ILO policies.

7    Excellent communications skills, both oral and written including capacity to represent the organisation, work with the media, and operate in a multi-cultural environment.

8    Ability to manage stakeholder relations, and build consensus, in often highly sensitive areas.

9    Ability to mobilise resources and build collaborative donor relationships.

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