Job Description Enterprise Advisor Better Work Bangladesh

Transcription

1 Job Description Enterprise Advisor Better Work Bangladesh Overview Duty station: Grade: Contract type: Duration: Organizational Unit: Better Work, Dhaka & Chittagong, BANGLADESH NO-A Fixed-term appointment One year (renewable) ILO CO/Dhaka Background Better Work is a unique partnership programme between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Launched in February 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 project has several components including: (1) stakeholder engagement and sustainability which aims to create an independent, self-financing and nationally managed institution within the coming five years (2) enterprise assessments against (a) the principles of the ILO Declaration core international labor standards and Bangladesh labor law; and (3) enterprise advisory and training services designed to support practical improvements and increased social dialogue at the factory level. (4) a influencing agenda with the goal of using programmatic learnings to impact national legislation and related policies The ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh has experienced very rapid growth over the past 20 years and has reached a point where it is now the country s largest export earner and employs over 4 million workers - of which 60% are women - in approximately 3,500 active factories. It is currently also the 2nd largest exporter of ready-made garments in the world. Whereas growth rates dipped for some time due to the economic problems facing the U.S. and Europe, the sector s main export markets, recent figures show impressive growth with garment exports totalling US$28.2 billion for the 12 months that ended in It is generally considered though that national problems related to a lack of skilled workers, infrastructure, social compliance and labour-management interaction hamper growth. There exist significant problems in many factories around occupational health and safety (OHS), working conditions, wage payments, freedom of association, and the lack of effective human resource

2 management. In addition, weaknesses in national labour administration, industrial relations and social dialogue systems exacerbate and prolong non-compliance with national laws and regulations. These problems and weaknesses lie at the heart of the series of industrial tragedies the RMG sector witnessed in Two factory fires and a building collapse which housed five RMG factories took the lives of over 1,250 people and injured many more, leaving hundreds permanently disabled. In order to address these challenges, ILO in 2013 launched a comprehensive Programme Improving Working Conditions in RMG industry in Bangladesh. Within the overall context and in close partnership with this programme, BWB will aim at building capacity at the factory and national structural levels, so that stakeholders will be able to identify, prevent, and address relevant problems through the most appropriate and effective means (tripartite, bipartite, individually).in practical terms this means that BWB will operate on two levels: (1) Factory-level: build in-factory capacity to improve working conditions and establish management systems in participating factories, and (2) National structural level: assist in building constituent capacity to achieve structural, sustainable change in labour administration, industrial relations and social dialogue systems. For more information about the project please visit & Function 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. Supervision and Guidance Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, the Enterprise Advisor will work under Better Work Bangladesh Programme Manager. Work will be carried out with minimal supervision. 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. Responsibilities 1. Independently conduct enterprise assessment of labour standards and management systems at the enterprise level; 2. Independently produce high standard reports in English on (i) assessments findings, (ii) recommendations for improvement, (iii) enterprise improvement plans and (iv) progress reports on implementation; 3. Review the reports of other advisors as part of the peer review Better Work quality assurance system; 4. Provide high quality enterprise level consultancy services designed to improve enterprise performance including coaching, facilitating management and union improvement committees, providing technical advice and conducting classroom based training; 5. Select and adapt and contextualise Better Work products for use at the individual enterprise level based on needs;

3 6. Provide technical advice and input into the development of Better Work research, products and strategies; 7. Actively contribute to the project s monitoring and evaluation strategy, research agenda and knowledge management strategy; 8. Contribute to the financial sustainability strategy of the project including encouraging the participation of enterprises in project activities, a strong outcome focus, and effective time management of consultancy services; 9. Supervise project support staff as required; 10. Other duties as required by the supervisor. Education University degree in human resource management, adult education, international development, law or other relevant fields, or equivalent in experience. 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) or other relevant field. Languages Excellent command of English. Fluent in Bengali and/or one or more of the local languages spoken by the workers in the export apparel industry. Competencies 1. Good communications skills, both oral and written; 2. Good analytical skills. 3. Good knowledge of the Bangladeshi labour-related law and regulations; 4. Good group facilitation, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills and capacity to deliver classroom training Experience in industrial relations and building of social dialogue between management and worker representatives at the workplace an advantage; 5. Understanding of enterprise level human resource, production and quality systems; 6. Good understanding of corporate social responsibility and labour compliance issues in global supply chains; 7. Ability to monitor the effectiveness of training and capacity building initiatives undertaken by partner organizations/ consultants; 8. Good understanding of principles of gender equality and principles of equal opportunity and how these can be promoted as part the responsibilities of the post; 9. Self motivated and ability to work independently in an outcomes-based work culture as well as contributing to the work of a team;

4 10. Capacity to sensitively liaise and network with a range of stakeholders including staff, donors, international buyers, government officials, management, unions and NGOs. Salary and Benefits Grade: NO-A Salary and post adjustment (without dependants) Gross Income BDT Salary Minimum 2,770, rising to Maximum 4,898, Salary Minimum 2,235, Maximum Maximum 3,874, Please note that the above salary levels are determined according to the criteria established by the International Civil Service Commission. The ILO is international public sector employer and salary and other employment conditions are not negotiable. Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment: Children's allowance (with in age 21) Pension and Health Insurance (family) schemes; 30 working days' annual leave; Application instructions Recruitment is normally made at the initial step in the grade. Salaries and emoluments are exempt from taxation by the Swiss authorities and, on the basis of international agreements or national law relating to presence or residence abroad, are generally exempt from taxation by other governments. In the absence of exemption, in most cases tax paid will be reimbursed in accordance with an ILO document which will be supplied upon request. While the successful candidate will be initially working in Dhaka, he/she may be assigned to any duty station designated by the Director-General of the ILO. The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process in addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants. 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, , etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.

5 All applicants must attach 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 meet this. Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview. Better Work values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. For more information please contact betterwork@ilo.org