Programme Manager - ILO

Grade: P5 

Vacancy no.: DC/Dhaka/P/2022/01
Application deadline (midnight local time): 20 April 2022

Job ID: 7907 
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific 
Organization Unit: CO-Dhaka 
Location: Dhaka   
Contract type: Fixed Term 

Contract duration: 12 months (with a possibility of extension) 

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 present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

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.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

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 [email protected].

Introduction

Bangladesh gained lower-middle-income status in 2015 and is now on a path to graduate from the list of Least Developed Country (LDC) by 2026. While progress has been made, the country continues to face recurring challenges relating to weak legislative frameworks, that are not yet in full compliance with international labour standards, deficient labour market governance institutions, including dispute resolution, as well as labour and occupational safety and health inspection systems.

Since 2013, the ILO through its various development cooperation projects has worked closely with and supported the Government of Bangladesh as the country progresses through major legal and administrative reforms to uphold labour rights and improve workplace safety in Bangladesh. Recent legal reforms include:

⦁    The amendment to the Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA), 2006 in 2013 and 2018 (November 2018). 
⦁    The adoption of EPZ Labour Act (ELA) in February 2019. 
⦁    The formulation of Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015. 
⦁    The upgrade, in January 2014, of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) with 575 new inspectors and field level offices for the effective enforcement of the Bangladesh Labour Act,
⦁    The upgrade of the Directorate of Labour via the recruitment of new staff members.  
Momentum must be maintained to support the ambitious goals set by the country to move out of LDC and to assist Bangladesh in the development of modern and effective labour market institutions.  

Rationale

CO-Dhaka is currently transforming its development cooperation initiatives established as a response to the Rana Plaza accident with the goal to better fit with the requirements for the current industrial and economic development of Bangladesh. While taking stock of the lessons learned from mostly Ready-Made Garment (RMG) centric projects, a broader and comprehensive ILO Development Cooperation Programme on labour administration and working conditions (LAWC) has been in the making over the Covid 19 period. The LAWC is designed to address broader labour market needs and decent work deficits in a new structure which will host all related projects. The LAWC is meant to effectively serve the ILO constituent and partners.
Along with the Government of Bangladesh's development frameworks, the new Bangladesh Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP 2021-2026), as well as the Government's ILO Roadmap and EU National Action Plan offer a renewed momentum and policy framework for addressing existing labour market challenges.

The goal of the new "Labour Administration and Working Conditions" cluster (LAWC) is to better equip CO-Dhaka and its RMG related DC projects to increase synergies between CO-Dhaka operations, and to limit overlaps and duplications. It proposes greater efficiency, collaboration, accountability, and leadership trough working through one comprehensive and coordinated programme. 

The LAWC will enhance efficiency through new division of labour, focus on longer and wider programming cycles, pooling of resources between current and potential new ILO initiatives.  Collaboration will be strengthened through joint monitoring and evaluation, the mainstreaming/sharing of resources to enhance communications, share administrative support, and capacity development initiatives via Learning Hub.

Finally, the LAWC will create stronger accountability to ILO constituents through their increased involvement and greater accountability to donors through comprehensive information/reporting. 
The Programme Manager will be responsible for the overall strategic and operational management of the LAWC operations. 

Organizational Setting

This position is located in the ILO Country Office Dhaka.

Main Purpose
The main purpose of the position is to provide strategic guidance to, oversight and management of the labour administration and working conditions programme. The LAWC programme aims for the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all, through improved labour legislation, administration and labour relations based on tripartite social dialogue in Bangladesh.

Reporting Lines and Working Relationships
The incumbent will report directly to the Director of the ILO Country Office, CO-Dhaka.
The position holder will coordinate with and receive technical guidance and advice from relevant technical units from ILO headquarters (HQ) as well as technical specialists in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and Decent Work Technical Support Team (DWT/CO-New Delhi). The incumbent will also work in close consultation and coordination with the Regional Programme Unit and the Regional Administrative Services Unit. 

The Programme Manager will maintain a fluid exchange of information, coordinate and link with ILO constituents, relevant UN Organizations, and other key stakeholders. The Programme Manager will be accountable for the work of the relevant Labour Administration and Working Conditions programme line managers and national officers. The incumbent will work closely with the Government of Bangladesh Roadmap Implementation Coordination Unit (RICU), the development partners and donors as well as other international and national partners to successfully implement all the LAWC programme's goals and activities.

Description of Duties

1. Take the lead in planning, directing and monitoring implementation of activities within the Programme; Provide leadership to the Programme team in preparing detailed work plans, regularly checking progress of deliverables and budget expenditures against work plans and propose any needed adjustments to the CO-Dhaka and senior experts at HQ and DWT/CO-New Delhi.
2. Coordinate the Programme, ensuring smooth administrative and accounting operations with the CO-Dhaka, and complete all financial transactions according to ILO financial rules as well as donor procedures; Ensure that a clearly defined and fair division of responsibilities and workload is maintained for all project staff; Set up and maintain effective management of record-keeping and correspondence, and vehicle records.
3. Assist the Director in managing efficiently the human resources of the Programme and related projects including recruitment of project staff and providing inputs into the performance management of the team of approximately 30 people.
4. Coordinate project development, planning and ongoing project activities with government ministries and institutions as well as representatives of the constituents; Ensure that all stakeholders can participate, implement and are kept up to date on progress and can evaluate and contribute to problem solving of the Programme.
5. Provide technical expertise and advice to the Programme team and when required to the constituents and stakeholders, including relevant government agencies and other key institutions; Ensure that technical interventions and decisions are well founded and consider the specific nature of the Programme and projects' objectives; In close coordination with relevant ILO Specialists, provide technical policy advice and prepare strategic policy papers, for technical support to government and social partners on labour administration and working conditions.
6. Further develop the Office's institutional sustainability efforts, through different means, including through coordination and collaboration within the ILO, partnerships with the tripartite constituents and other stakeholders and by triggering innovation and new levers of change such as through partnerships with manufacturing groups, relevant brand/buyer partners and other organisations working in various economic sector.
7. Develop and conduct seminars, workshops, and technical meetings.
8. Prepare recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO recommendations on related technical fields.
9. Ensure awareness raising and communication; Disseminate information on Programme through events, publications, press releases and social media. 
10. Represent ILO and the Programme at donors' meetings, international, regional and national fora.
11. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, conference reports, Director General's report to the ILO International Labour Conference).
12. Manage funds/budgets allocated to the Programme and ensure the preparation of periodic progress reports for submission in accordance with the established rules and procedures.
13. Represent the ILO in national inter-agency coordination committees and in donor meetings for resource mobilization:

a.    Develop and draft concept notes and project proposals in consultation with the technical specialists of the ILO focusing on the ILO's mandate and technical expertise in labour administration and working condition contexts.
b.    Maintain close relations with donor agencies and other international agencies.
c.    Assist in mobilizing resources in support of the ILO's objectives and development cooperation activities.
d.    Negotiate conditions and terms of funding proposals; justify financing inputs and follow up until agreement is reached.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree or/and equivalent demonstrated expertise in the relevant technical field.

Experience

At least ten years of relevant experience in the management of development cooperation activities, of which at least seven years at the international level.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Bangla would be an advantage.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency; Sensitivity to diversity; Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing; Client orientation; Communication; Orientation to change; Ability to take responsibility for performance; Quality orientation; Collaboration], this position requires:
⦁    Proven ability to take ownership of a wide range of responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical, and organizational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.
⦁    Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the Programme's objectives, and to design and synthesize strategies for programme development.
⦁    Ability to advocate and provide impactful policy advice.
⦁    Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
⦁    Ability to promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
⦁    Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
⦁    Excellent computer/information, virtual communication application skills, including zoom, Teams, Word Processing, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
⦁    Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
⦁    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
⦁    Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and record procedural matters.
⦁    Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation project/program activities with partners.
⦁    Excellent negotiation skills and ability to provide high quality services.
⦁    Ability to plan and support the development of individual's skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
⦁    Ability to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organization challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• Any extension 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.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit: https://jobs.ilo.org/content/International/?locale=en_GB

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

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.

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