Grade: NOA
Vacancy no.: DC/Dhaka/NO/2023/03
Publication date: 12 July 2023
Application deadline (midnight local time): 26 July 2023
Job ID: 11043
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Dhaka
Location: Dhaka
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: 12 Months (with the possibility of extension subject to availability of financing)
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.
In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.
The following are eligible to apply:
*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.
The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.
*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.
About Better Work
Better Work is a unique partnership programme between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Launched in 2007, it aims to improve labour standards and competitiveness in global supply chains. Better Work involves the development of both global tools and country-level projects. The focus is on developing scalable and sustainable solutions which build cooperation between government, employer and worker organizations, and international buyers.
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 nearly 30 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.
Established in 2014, Better Work Bangladesh has been an essential facilitator of growth and expansion of the Ready-Made Garment industry ─ one of the economy’s largest export-oriented drivers. In Bangladesh, Better Work is focused on promoting decent work, empowering women and inclusive economic growth. In its first phase (2014 – 2017), the programme worked with the Government of Bangladesh to better align the country’s labour laws with international labour standards and best practices. This was a period marked by labour law amendments and improvements in union registration criteria adhering to the ILO’s fundamental constitutions on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining. In Phase II (2018 – 2022), the programme expanded its operations from Dhaka to the port city of Chittagong. To respond to evolving industry needs, the programme adopted an agile service model and initiated several special initiatives, such as the Gender Equality and Returns (GEAR) programme, maternity health and protection initiatives and the Factory Ambassador Programme (FAP).
The ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh has experienced rapid growth over the past 20 years; it is now the country’s largest export earner and employs over 4 million workers - of which 60% are women - in approximately 4,000 active factories. It is currently the 2nd largest exporter of RMG in the world.
It is generally considered though those problems related to a lack of skilled workers, infrastructure, social compliance, and labour-management relations hamper growth. There exist significant issues in many factories around occupational health and safety (OHS), working conditions, wage payments, freedom of association, and the lack of effective human resource management. In addition, weaknesses in national labour administration, industrial relations and social dialogue systems exacerbate and prolong non-compliance with national laws and regulations.
To address these challenges, BWB aims at building the necessary capacity so that stakeholders can identify, prevent, and address relevant problems. In practical terms this means that BWB operates on two levels: (1) Factory-level: build in-factory capacity to improve working conditions and establish management systems and (2) institutional level: assist in building constituent capacity to achieve structural, sustainable change in labour administration, industrial relations and social dialogue systems.
For more information about Better Work please see www.betterwork.org.
To provide professional-level enterprise advisory services including the conduct of independent enterprise assessments against labour standards and the provision of enterprise-level consultancy services to support remediation and enterprise improvement. Enterprise assessments and progress reports will be accessed by enterprises, international buyers and government ministries and will contribute to public reporting. The work of enterprise advisers has a direct impact on enterprise performance and access to markets. The position will be based in Dhaka.
Under the overall guidance of the Director, ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, and the general supervision of the Better Work Bangladesh Programme Manager, the Enterprise Adviser will work under the direct supervision of a National Team Leader. Judgement, initiative, and creativity are required in translating project tools and approaches at the enterprise level. The work product is controlled by the supervisor for technical soundness and appropriateness.
University degree in international development, law, occupational health and safety, industrial engineering, industrial relations, gender studies, human resource management, adult education or other relevant fields, or equivalent in experience.
At least two years of professional experience in social dialogue, capacity building in the private sector in developing countries, corporate social responsibility (particularly in the field of labour standards compliance and remediation), occupational health and safety, behavioral change, industrial engineering, industrial relations or other relevant fields.
Experience in advocating for labor rights and gender equality in a development organization, Or, experience in social compliance field in an international reputed organization would be an added advantage.
Excellent command of English and Bengali.
Applicants can only attach 1 document to their application. This should include a cover letter and must also include a 2-page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. In doing this you should have a heading for each competency and explain in 2–3 paragraphs to the selection committee how your skills and experience show that you meet this. Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview.
Better Work, as part of the ILO, values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities.
For more information, please contact betterwork_hr@ilo.org
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO People. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Fraud warning
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.