Introduction

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) face daunting development challenges. Their labour markets feature high underemployment, high levels of informality, gender disparity in labour market participation, and youth unemployment. They face major economic challenges, including distance from major markets, mixed economic growth, labour migration, skills shortages, exposure to climate change and limited avenues to create employment and foster entrepreneurship. Effective implementation of international labour standards could significantly improve their ability to address these interlinked challenges.

International labour standards (ILS) are the globally acknowledged benchmark for minimum working conditions, and for effective labour market governance. They serve as a minimum floor for fair competition in an increasingly globalised economy. ILS provide policy guidance on how to address some of the most pressing human rights breaches, and key challenges in national labour markets.

Effective implementation of ILS is positively associated with increased employment and GDP growth, improved human development outcomes, and reduced inequality. Both private and public donors and investors increasingly consider the extent to which ILS are implemented in potential investment destinations. For developing economies, this is crucial for attracting and maintaining sufficient levels of foreign direct investment.

Severe capacity deficits constrain PICs from realising the positive benefits of implementing ILS. Many are nevertheless willing to do so. This project will build capacity, knowledge, and consensus on how to implement ILS so as to address some of the key development and labour market challenges.

Reporting Line

The Project Assistant will report to and technically supervised by the International Labour Standards Specialist, CO-Suva. The Project Assistant will work in close collaboration with ILO specialists and programme officers in CO-Suva.

Description of Duties

1. In the context of International Labour Standards, review and analyse the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports, and other relevant information. Identify potential technical cooperation areas and provide written analysis on the findings to the relevant ILO staff.

2. Work in close collaboration with partners to design and revise project annual work plans as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners.

3. Review, verify and analyse work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness and monitor the progress of Project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.

4. Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.

5. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions.

6. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

7. Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials from ILO and provide relevant information on project matters.

8. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project.

9. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director.

Required qualifications

Education

Completion of secondary school education and formal training in relevant area.

Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible administrative work with supervisory experience.

Six years of progressively responsible experience in programme management and implementation, including in reporting analysis and preparation.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of one working language of the Office (English). Working knowledge of another language would be an advantage.

Competencies

Thorough knowledge of the purpose and functions of the technical programme and the other offices and sectors interacting with the programme. Good knowledge of technical data and programme management skills for handling detailed assignments of a professional nature. Thorough knowledge of programme planning, implementation and evaluation principles, practices, and procedures. Skill in applying the methodologies of a technical or administrative field. Ability to work with word processing and spreadsheet software, as well as computer software packages required for work. Good drafting skills and demonstrated ability to prepare reports. Good analytical skills. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to deal with a broad range of staff and to respond to their queries. Ability to work in a team and to work under pressure. Good organizational skills. Excellent time management skills. Supervisory skills and ability to motivate subordinate staff. Ability to work under minimum supervision. Demonstrated presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with people in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner. Must display high standards of ethical conduct. Ability to make sound judgements. and provide reasoned advice to subordinates. Must demonstrate a high level of commitment and responsibility towards completing assignments efficiently, accurately and in a timely manner. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes