Specialist in Workers' Activities

Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Abuja. The Specialist in Workers’ Activities will be responsible for providing technical advisory services in the field of workers' activities to the ILO Offices and assisting workers’ organizations in their efforts to provide their members with improved/new services, thus extending their representation and their capacity to become strong, relevant, independent and representative organizations, able to fulfil their roles and responsibilities in the promotion of workers’ interests, in line with the principles of ILO standards. He/she should keep the ILO informed of the concerns, interest and perspectives of workers' organizations and keep the workers' organizations informed of the work the ILO, as well as promoting their participation in tripartite or bipartite initiatives in line with 2002 ILC Resolution concerning tripartism and social dialogue.

The Specialist will have special responsibility for encouraging the involvement and active participation of workers and their organizations in all ILO activities while ensuring that ILO projects and programmes address the needs of workers and their organizations.  The Specialist in Workers’ Activities will advise and assist on technical questions concerning operational projects including project formulation, technical backstopping and evaluation. The Specialist will also advise and assist trade unions in policy discussions with government and employers’ organizations regarding ILO matters (ratification of ILO instruments, formulation and analysis of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP), regional cooperation, the UN reform process, particularly regarding the Cooperation Framework and the role of trade unions.

The Specialist in Workers’ Activities has double reporting responsibilities. He/she reports to the Director of ACTRAV, through ACTRAV Regional Desk Officer, for policy, technical and operational aspects and to the Director of the ILO Office for administrative matters.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities

The official will be called upon to promote and develop workers' activities in the sub-region with the following responsibilities:

1. Promote and develop relations with workers' organizations at national and sub-regional levels and brief and involve them regularly on the implementation of ILO objectives and policies; strengthening the consultation process in accordance with the ILO Resolution on tripartism and social dialogue, through more systematic formal and informal consultations, where appropriate.
2. In close collaboration with the ACTRAV Regional Desk Officer, design the individual work plan for the biennium taking into consideration ILO’s and ACTRAV’s priorities and programmes as well as those identified with the trade union organizations in the sub-region. Ensure that this is submitted to ACTRAV and implemented in full respect of timetables and activities identified.
3. Design and organize national and sub-regional seminars, meetings and other activities in the field of workers' activities.  Develop consultancy, research and training activities in cooperation with workers' organizations and participate as a resource person in workers' education activities sponsored by workers' organizations in the sub-region or by ACTRAV-ITC
4.   Design development cooperation project proposals on capacity building for workers' organizations as well as project proposals for ACTRAV submission to donors for extra-budgetary financing.
5.   Carry out missions in the countries of the sub-region in order to strengthen ILO cooperation.  After discussion with the Director and the Desk Officer, coordinate meetings and activities, represent ACTRAV and participate in major events organized by workers' organizations (congresses, meetings, etc.) and prepare and submit the reports of such missions and activities.
6.   Prepare and submit to ACTRAV and the DWT/CO bi-annual reports on implementation of activities based on the individual work plan, mission reports, technical papers and studies, reports on the supervisory system and information on the development of the capacities of workers’ organisations, namely regarding industrial relations, tripartism, collective bargaining and social dialogue at country or sub-regional level. Bi-annual reports will assess the impact of the programme, pointing to successful results, difficulties encountered and lessons learned.
7. Provide policy advice and training to build capacities of trade unions on union organizational development and modern and democratic management methods, inclusive structures, increasing trade union representation and effectiveness through workers' education and organizing and the use of strategic planning and results-based approaches.
8. Foster union structures and activities that will mainstream the participation of women, youth, migrant workers, informal economy workers, etc.
9. Disseminate information and materials on socio-economic policy issues and legislation of special relevance to workers and their organizations, at sub-regional and national levels, and prepare technical papers and studies when required.

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10. Promote trade union research and knowledge sharing activities aimed at enhancing awareness and understanding of the changing and evolving world of work and shaping measures that address the four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda (employment, social protection, social dialogue and rights at work).
11. Prepare comments on relevant ILO documents and others as appropriate requested by ACTRAV, DWT and the ILO Regional Office.  This could include briefing notes and comments on documents prepared for the Governing Body sessions (i.e. freedom of association, development cooperation, multinationals, gender, child labour, etc.) as well as internal documents prepared by other units in the ILO.
12.   Provide technical advice and assistance to ensure effective trade union action and involvement in policy responses and regulatory frameworks to address decent work deficits. This could include supporting campaigns for ratification and application of international labour standards, training on the use of the ILO supervisory mechanisms, labour law review, etc.
13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Desirable Profile

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

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, labour law, public administration, industrial relations, political science or other relevant field.

Experience

At least eight years professional experience at the national level, or five years’ experience at the international level in trade union organizations.

Languages

Excellent command of one ILO working language (English, French or Spanish) plus good knowledge of another (one of these languages must be English).

Competencies

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

Technical competencies:

Excellent knowledge and understanding of workers’ organizations and labour-related programmes, issues, practices and policies; Wide knowledge of the work of the Organization; Excellent knowledge of development concerns and needs in various countries as related to trade union organizations; Good analytical and problem-solving abilities; Ability to synthesize research and reach empirically-based conclusions on related subjects; Provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; formulate new concepts and methodologies including to present and advocate policy changes in difficult circumstances; develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; Ability to develop links with and attract major donors in order to ensure adequate resource mobilisation for the implementation of plans and projects; and ability to evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects; Ability to represent the Organisation at a high level in a tripartite environment, and to provide authoritative advice and guidance to both constituents and the Office; Ability to take initiatives, plan and organize work in accordance with ACTRAV guidelines and priorities;  Ability to produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and ILC, trade union profiles, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions). Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Behavioural competencies:

Discretion and high sense of responsibility and judgement Ability to work in a team. The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.