Branch Chief, FUNDAMENTALS - D1

The position is located in the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Branch (FUNDAMENTALS), in the Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE) within the ILO’s Policy Portfolio. GOVERNANCE has three Branches (Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; Better Work; Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health) and two Units (Social Dialogue and Tripartism; Labour Law and Reform).

The incumbent leads and manages the FUNDAMENTALS Branch.  FUNDAMENTALS is responsible for providing technical support and capacity building to ILO member States to help them respect, promote and realise fundamental principles and rights at work: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

The Branch works closely with public institutions to help them become more effective and efficient in promoting and realising fundamental rights. It also works with employers' and workers' organizations to build their capacity to contribute to achieving decent work through compliance with fundamental principles and rights at work. The Branch also promotes relevant international labour standards dealing with fundamental rights at work.

FUNDAMENTALS  designs, mobilises funding for and implements development cooperation projects and activities on fundamental principles and rights at work, currently in more than 60 countries. The Branch is also responsible for one of the ILO’s Flagship Programmes, the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour and Forced Labour (IPEC+).

Through the commitment to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular target 8.7, the Branch serves as the Secretariat of SDG Alliance 8.7, a global partnership to end child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, currently bringing together 226 partners and 21 pathfinder countries.

The Chief of the Branch  reports to the Director of GOVERNANCE.

1. Provide technical and managerial leadership for all functions of the Branch and support the staff by establishing and appraising work plans, objectives and action plans in line with the Programme and Budget priorities and other priorities established in the areas of responsibility, ensuring timely and quality results.

2. As a member of the Management Team of the Department, contribute to development of the strategic vision of the ILO agenda on labour market governance, tripartism and fundamental principles and rights at work. Provide guidance and support to the Department Director in the management of Department-wide human resources, budgeting and other related-areas.

3. Formulate programme objectives and action plans in consultation with the Director, monitor timely delivery of agreed workplans, cost and quality targets; manage programme and budget and human resources, including career development and mobility , in compliance with the policies and requirements of the Office.

4. Manage and support the design, implementation and backstopping of a wide variety of development cooperation programmes and projects in the fields of fundamental principles and rights at work. Formulate policies, lead research and identify and develop new areas for development cooperation on fundamental principles and rights at work in member States. Actively promote ILO development cooperation in this field and secure excellent donor relations and fund-raising.

5. Plan and supervise the preparation of studies, policy guidelines, training and information materials as well as new standards and technical guidelines on relevant topics and supervise preparation of reports to the International Labour Conference and Governing Body.

6. Provide leadership and technical guidance to staff in the Branch and specialists in the regions using the sub-Global Technical Teams. Ensure effective coordination and coherence with field offices and the overall quality of the Office's work with regard to promotion and capacity building on fundamental principles and rights at work and alignment with relevant Programme and Budget and development cooperation.

7. Represent the Office at high-level international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences with the aim of promoting ILO approaches and standards internationally and integrating fundamental principles and rights at work.

8. Strengthen collaboration with and maintain dedicated networks of experts and organize regular technical and policy meetings to appraise new developments, empirical evidence and policy approaches.

9. Develop and maintain regular capacity building courses and academies in related fields in collaboration with the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin.

10. Promote an integrated and comprehensive approach that emphasizes cross-Portfolio collaboration and supports the integration of fundamental principles and rights at work in the work of other ILO branches and units.

11. Perform other relevant duties as required.

The set of qualifications below are indicative of the type of experience, education, language skills, and competencies expected for this position.

Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: public administration, labour law, economics, social sciences or other relevant field.

A minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the fields of development  cooperation and technical  assistance, labour administration, or labour rights and protections, including proven record of high level policy advice in different country contexts. Knowledge and experience of project design and implementation. Fund-raising experience. At least ten years of experience managing teams. Experience of field work, including the United Nations, and delivery on the four fundamental principles and rights at work will be a definite advantage.

Excellent command of English and a working knowledge of a second official language (French, Spanish) of the Organization. Candidates without a second official language will be required to develop a working knowledge during the first two years of employment.

 

In addition to the ILO core competencies:

A strategic vision in relation to labour market governance and labour rights.

Strong management skills with demonstrated ability to plan and manage global teams involved in diverse fields of specialization and to motivate staff, promote interest and engagement, harmonious working relationships and teamwork.

Ability to contribute effectively as a member of the management team on organizational issues and organizational priorities.

Strong interpersonal skills, tact, discretion, confidentiality and diplomacy.

Demonstrated sound political judgment and capacity to work well in a tripartite context.

Decision making skills and excellent problem-solving skills.

Excellent drafting and communication skills with the ability to represent the Branch in various fora.

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