Introduction

The Research, Innovation, and Strategic Engagement Project to Promote Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Globally (RISE) aims to strengthen policies and improve the capacity of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other actors in society to respect, promote, and realize freedom of association and collective bargaining (FACB). The project, funded by the US Department of Labor, will be implemented in overlapping phases and will include activities at the global, regional, and national levels. The project strategy seeks to continuously build and promote the application of critical knowledge needed to inform policy choices, strengthen the implementation of FACB in target countries, regions, and sectors, and communicate the impact and outcomes effectively. The project seeks to achieve three complementary outcomes:
• Outcome 1: Improved knowledge base on freedom of association, collective bargaining, and industrial relations;
• Outcome 2: Improved capacity of governments, employers and their organizations, and worker organizations to effectively realize freedom of association and collective bargaining; and
• Outcome 3: Global, national, sector, and enterprise-level stakeholders learn about and promote innovative approaches and take action for the realization of FACB.

The project falls under the technical responsibility of the Governance, Rights and Dialogue Cluster of the ILO (ADG/GRD). ADG/GRD encompasses the functions and responsibilities of four policy departments: International Labour Standards (NORMES), Governance and Tripartism (GOVERNANCE), Conditions of Work and Equality (WORKQUALITY) and Sectoral Policies (SECTOR).

The ILO seeks to recruit an Industrial Relations Project Officer within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Project. The Project Officer will support the Chief Technical Adviser with the design, development and monitoring of activities, including research, statistics, knowledge development, labour law and policy reform, social dialogue, capacity building, and activities related to innovative approaches, monitoring service contracts and coordinating with backstopping units. S/he will strengthen the capacity of the project to deliver sound policy advice on freedom of association, labour relations and collective bargaining, including to provide technical and policy advice to ILO constituents on how to support sound and productive labour relations; support freedom of association and collective bargaining, including through the development of mechanisms aimed at the prevention and effective remediation of violations of FACB rights; improve the effectiveness of collective bargaining; promote information, consultation and cooperation at the workplace; and enhance the contribution of these institutions to equitable outcomes.

The Industrial Relations Project Officer will report to the Chief Technical Adviser responsible for the project implementation and will receive overall strategic and policy guidance from the Assistant Director-General of the Governance, Rights and Dialogue Cluster and technical support from relevant ILO Departments and Branches. S/he will work closely with relevant staff in HQ and in the field offices. The technical backstopping of the project will be decided upon finalization of the ongoing restructuring of part of the Cluster.

Description of Duties

1. Responsible for the implementation of technical activities of the Project through the provision of advice and support to the Chief Technical Adviser, technical inputs, planning and quality control in conformity with ILO policies and strategies and the project strategy, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines.

2. Oversee production and control the quality, or directly produce knowledge products and research materials to assist in the development and promotion of policies, strategies, capacity building materials and implementation tools related to freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations. Oversee development and control the quality, or directly develop policy and promotion materials and technical manuals or guidelines.

3. Analyse and provide expert advice – based on international labour standards, comments by the ILO supervisory system, and comparative labour law and practice – on draft policies, legislation, regulation or other reform proposals submitted to the ILO for comment prior to adoption.

4. Through collaboration with the ILO Statistics Department, provide technical support for the inclusion of industrial relations questions in labour force surveys and updating global estimates; provide technical support for the expansion of existing ILO data on industrial relations;

5. Design research framework and lead or carry out studies that contribute to the development of new methods, and prepare analytical reports and extract lessons learnt. Disseminate research reports to all relevant stakeholders.

6. Provide technical inputs to the knowledge hub on freedom of association and collective bargaining and related metrics; translate complex research findings into easily digestible summaries to make the content more accessible to a broader audience; and ensure that all digital content on the knowledge hub is in full compliance with ILO and USDOL accessibility requirements.

7. Provide technical advice and technical backstopping to project partners and monitor the implementation of recommendations on project technical activities.

8. Assess innovative proposals requesting project support, work with submitters to address questions and shortcomings, advise the CTA on the quality, relevance and strategic fit of proposals, and support the design and delivery of ILO interventions.

9. Identify training needs, develop training materials and organize training workshops to enhance capacity building. Participate as resource person in project capacity-building activities.

10. Contribute to the design and monitoring of project activities leading to improved quality and effective delivery of project expected outcomes in the assigned technical area.

11. Represent the Project and the ILO at international, regional and national fora.

12. Participate in the production of promotional materials which target policy makers, programme managers and the general public that assist in promoting ILO technical recommendations and standards and enhance ILO visibility.

13. Promote ILO policies on freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

14. Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, law, management, social science, industrial relations or related 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

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in industrial relations, including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent knowledge and command of English and good working knowledge of another official ILO language (French or Spanish) is required.

Competencies

– Demonstrated capacity to provide relevant and effective technical advice on the technical area and related topics.

– Ability to conceptualise, design, plan and implement research work, including analysis of complex cross-national practices and data sets.

– Ability to participate effectively in technical missions.

– Ability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.

– Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.

– Excellent writing skills to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation. Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.

– Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools, and qualitative and quantitative techniques.

– Good computer skills.

– The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.