International Labour Standards and Labour Law Specialist Mid level

Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for North Africa and Country Office for Egypt and Eritrea (DWT/CO-Cairo).  DWT/CO-Cairo provides high quality, timely and integrated support for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and outcome-based work plans. DWT/CO-Cairo also provides strategic guidance in formulating policy and work programmes as required by the ILO country offices and the constituents in North Africa and the Horn of Africa, under the supervision of the Regional Office for Africa and in collaboration with technical departments at ILO headquarters.

The Specialist will consider all legal and practical aspects of international labour standards, with a view to strengthening and improving the application and dissemination of such standards at all levels. The Specialist will ensure that normative aspects of the ILO are fully integrated in Decent Work Country Programmes in the countries covered by DWT/CO-Cairo. The incumbent of the position will work in close collaboration with other technical specialists in the DWT and in the region, including with the colleagues responsible for employers’ and workers’ organizations on the legal and practical aspects of international labour standards. The Specialist will collaborate with other United Nations organizations and relevant actors in civil society for the promotion of international labour standards. The incumbent will also act as a focal point for one cross-cutting issue or priority theme.

The incumbent will report to the Director of DWT/CO-Cairo and will receive technical guidance and support from the International Labour Standards Department (NORMES).  The Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE) will also provide technical guidance and support.

Specific Duties

1. Ensure that governments discharge in a timely manner their reporting obligations under article 22 of the ILO Constitution, and take suitable action on comments made by ILO supervisory bodies such as the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards and the Committee on Freedom of Association.

2. Provide capacity building to the government and social partners, as well as to the judiciary and parliamentarians on international labour standards and the supervisory system.

3. Formulate policy and give advice on legal issues to ILO constituents regarding   institutional strengthening, application of ILO standards, their application to the informal economy and the promotion and delivery of development cooperation activities.

4. In collaboration with NORMES and GOVERNANCE, analyse draft labour legislation submitted by the governments for ILO comments; formulate and coordinate the comments, assist in preparation of draft labour legislation. Provide advice and assistance to employers’ and workers’ organizations on existing and proposed labour legislation.

5. Promote the establishment and effective operation of procedures for tripartite consultations in accordance with the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No.144) and promote the ratification and implementation of international labour standards.

6. Advise ILO constituents on the application of, or effect given to, Conventions and Recommendations as an effective means to attain the Organization’s decent work and social justice objectives.

7. Develop and examine legal frameworks, institutions and practices that may be useful for the social partners to improve, implement and evaluate social dialogue. Conduct research and analytical work in the field of international labour standards and labour law.

8. Formulate, revise, evaluate and present project proposals, and negotiate financing, with special regard to international labour standards.

9. Establish and maintain close relations with employers’ and workers’ organizations in consultation with the relevant DWT Specialists, informing and advising them on matters related to international labour standards, national labour law reform and labour relations.

10. Develop and disseminate information on action programmes through publications, manuals, guidebooks, press releases, etc. and ensure representation in donors meetings, international, regional and local forums, and promotional campaigns.

11. Contribute to the dissemination of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work through the organization of workshops and seminars. Prepare promotional material.

12. Mainstream gender equality concerns into all international labour standards and labour legislation related activities.

13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned

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

Generic Duties

1. Examine reports by governments on ratified and unratified Conventions and Recommendations.  Examine and analyse complaints.  Prepare comparative analyses of the legislation and practice of the different member States. Draft comments for presentation to and discussion with high-level committees and/or groups of experts. Provide advice to colleagues on labour standards under the incumbent’s responsibility.
2. Prepare legal opinions and interpretations on a variety of legal questions or in a specialized field.
3. Prepare notes, reports and documents concerning questions of international law or labour standards, including requests for interpretations on complex legal questions, for consideration by governments, the Governing Body, the International Labour Conference and the Director-General. Develop strategies for follow-up to decisions made by policy bodies.
4. Analyse draft labour legislation submitted by governments to the ILO for comments prior to adoption.
5. Undertake research and write studies on complex problems (i.e. judging compatibility between legislation and practice) relating to international labour standards, labour law and labour relations, as well as prepare general surveys, manuals and articles.  Supervise the preparation of statements on questions of public international law relevant to the work of the ILO.  Advise on the position to be taken by the Organization on these issues.
6. Review and approve instruments of ratification.
7. Provide technical support to special tripartite committees established by the Governing Body or commissions of inquiry to examine alleged infringements of ratified Conventions.
8. Represent the work unit at meetings, including Conference committees and industrial committees, to provide advice on legal questions or questions concerning international labour standards or labour relations. Act as adviser to Conference committees and assist in the drafting of international legal instruments and participate in pre-conference work, including drafting committees. Represent the Office at meetings of other international organizations.
9. Develop, plan and implement technical advisory and promotional activities, including tripartite seminars, workshops, lectures and discussion groups. Represent the Office on missions which may be of a sensitive or controversial nature and before judicial bodies.  Represent the work unit on internal committees or at inter-agency meetings.
10. Participate in the secretariat of various committees dealing with legal issues or labour standards, including preparation of background material and documents, drafting records of meetings, drafting reports, etc

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced degree in law.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in law with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years’ of practical experience including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent command of English or French and a working knowledge of the second language.  A working knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
The ability to design research studies and conduct comparative analyses involving the application of principles of law to the analysis of administrative, substantive and procedural problems of substantial intricacy; advise and persuade colleagues and constituents on legal questions. ability to make use of analytical, and technical qualitative and quantitative tools; ability to conceptualise, plan, coordinate and direct investigations; capability to participate effectively in technical missions and within team; ability to provide direct technical advice in the field of specialisation; ability to guide and coordinate external collaborators” work, general service staff or young professionals; ability to prepare technically accurate reports and publications, with conclusions that may lead to an action plan and the elaboration of programmes; ability to contribute to multidisciplinary research carried out through work team, project formulation and its application. Ability to facilitate adequate advice regarding eminently good practices, and to approach wider issues other than the ones of the field of specialisation field; ability to elaborate project proposals, policies and procedures and to bring them up to high-level meetings. Diplomatic skills; ability to deal with colleagues and constituents with tact and discretion. The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes are also required.