Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Specialist

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team (DWT) for West Africa in Dakar (DWT/CO-Dakar). The DWT/CO-Dakar provides high-quality, timely and integrated technical support to Country Offices under its geographical competence in the design, implementation and monitoring of Decent Work Country Programmes in response to their requests within the framework of outcome-based workplans. This support includes technical and policy advice, information and analyses. The position will establish country outcomes, strategies and programmes for the countries covered, and provide technical advisory services; develop and technically backstop programmes and projects with an occupational safety and health (OSH) component. The position will also mainstream and integrate OSH in Decent Work Country Programmes in the countries covered by the DWT/CO-Dakar. The position will report to the DWT/CO-Dakar Director and receive technical guidance from the Governance and Tripartism Department at headquarters.

1. Undertake technical advisory missions in the countries of the sub-region and advise governments, employers' and workers' organizations on the development, formulation and implementation of policies and programmes in the field of OSH as well as on the application of principles set out in relevant ILO Conventions and Recommendations, in particular the Promotional Framework for OSH Convention, 2006 (No 187),  the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No 155), Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985  (No 161) and in the Global Strategy on OSH.

2. Advise national authorities on the drafting and revision of legislation pertaining to the field of OSH and on the enhancement, strengthening and establishment of national OSH systems including regulatory, technical and training aspects.

3. Promote the sharing of experience and cooperation between agencies, institutes and organizations active in the field of OSH knowledge and information.

4. Advise on the design and implementation of practical OSH programmes and related training programmes and activities, including by carrying out analytical studies and reviews on major OSH problems in the sub-region and collecting, analysing and evaluating available information.

5. Develop and promote innovative strategies, systems and programmes to achieve effective prevention for all workers in all sectors, both in the formal and informal economy notably by serving the traditional target groups of the OSH community and by extending the scope of OSH training and information activities to groups vulnerable to OSH risks and to hazardous industries.

6. Develop and promote networking arrangements in the field of OSH among countries in the region.

7. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key partners such as other UN agencies to ensure coordination of activities and avoidance of duplication of efforts, as well with donor community to attract interest in and mobilize funding for ILO programmes in the field of OSH.

8. Provide technical guidance and advice to constituents in improving their capacities to collect, produce, process and disseminate OSH information and knowledge as a means to identifying key priorities, developing coherent and relevant strategies and implementing effective OSH national programmes.

9. Represent the Office at high-level and other meetings held in the Sub-region on OSH and other related fields if needed.

10. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

1. Design and promote a wide range of special subject-matter-related programmes, This involves: re-analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics and information or policy guidelines, in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognised technical specialisation. 
2. Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes.
3. Provide policy advice to ILO’s constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of development cooperation activities.
4. Formulate and submit project proposals and seek funding.
5. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.
6. Undertake technical advisory missions independently or in collaboration with other specialists.
7. Conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings and training courses.
8. Prepare draft recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO Recommendations or Conventions on related technical fields.
9. Write manuals and/or training guides on related topics.
10. Disseminate information on programmes through publications and, press releases, as well as ensuring representation at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.
11. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by junior technical officers and external collaborators.
12. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, regional meetings and conference reports).
13. Participate in tripartite reviews on development cooperation activities and international meetings and conferences.

Advanced university degree in engineering, medicine, health sciences or related disciplines.

Post-graduate training in occupational safety or occupational health would be an advantage.

Eight years' experience at the national level or five years at the international level in dealing with occupational safety and health issues, with particular emphasis on policy development and advisory services. The knowledge of good practices in preventing accidents and occupational diseases is also required; field experience in both industrialized and developing countries implementing them would be an advantage. Experience gained through participation in ILO activities and technical cooperation projects, as well as additional experience in another field of the Social Protection related areas, such as HIV/AIDS, would also be an advantage.

Excellent command of English and French.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Technical

Job specific competencies include: advanced skills to synthesize research and formulate empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; ability to conduct training and develop training materials, to develop project proposals, evaluate and monitor technical cooperation activities and projects and raise funding. Ability to design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States and present them at high-level meetings; Proven communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to draft technical and non-technical documents, to conduct discussions and negotiate occupational safety and health matters with government, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, with other agencies as well as top-level professionals in related fields. Experience with social partners would be an advantage. Ability to maintain effective communication between field office and technical programmes at HQ to ensure currency of knowledge and coherence of actions.

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