Specialist on International Labour Standards and Legal Issues

Vacancy No: CALL/P/2015/22 Title: Specialist on International Labour Standards and Legal Issues Grade: P.4 Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment	Date: 17 November 2015 Application Deadline (midnight Geneva time) 30 November 2015 (12 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications   Organization unit:   ACTRAV Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland
The ILO is issuing a call for expression of interest for the position of Specialist on International Labour Standards and Legal Issues (P4). The selection process is not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations. The following are eligible to apply: - Internal candidates - External candidates The ILO values diversity among its staff and aims at achieving gender parity. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. Within the context of the ILO's efforts to promote staff mobility, any appointee should expect to take up different assignments (field and Headquarters) during their career. Conditions of employment are described in the Appendix.
INTRODUCTION The Specialist on International Labour Standards and Legal Issues is member of the Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) and will be located in Geneva at ILO HQ. The Specialist on International Labour Standards and Legal Issues will be responsible for planning and organising the work developed by ACTRAV in the area of international labour standards and the ILO supervisory mechanisms within the framework of the Norms and Fundamental principles and rights at work's Team Work. He/she will liaise with and provide advice to ACTRAV's colleagues in ILO HQ, Specialists in Workers' Activities in the Regional Offices and the Turin Centre. The official will be called upon to provide advice, promote and develop activities with the following responsibilities in the framework of the joint work within ACTRAV's Norms and Fundamental principles and rights at work' Team Work
Description of Duties Specific duties 1. Coordinate the provision of advice to ACTRAV's Director, his/her team in HQ and in the field as well as the Turin Centre on matters related to international labour standards and legal issues and participate in official events and conferences. 2. Provide support to the Workers' Group in the context of the Governing Body, the International Labour Conference, regional and sectoral meetings, and other official or specialised meetings, including tripartite meeting of experts. He/she will liaise with relevant technical departments and units in ILO HQ. 3. Provide support, in consultation with the ACTRAV's Director, his/her team in HQ and in the field, to workers' organizations in the area of international labour standards, the ILO supervisory mechanisms and Labour Law reform processes. 4. Participate in identifying priorities and plan, organise and deliver the work developed by ACTRAV in the area of international labour standards and the ILO supervisory mechanisms. This will entail close collaboration and provision of advice to ACTRAV's teams in ILO HQ, Specialists in Workers' Activities in the Regional Offices and the Turin Centre. 5. Coordinate responses and advice to ACTRAV colleagues and workers' organizations in issues related to legislation and labour law reform, ensuring the necessary coordination with relevant ILO technical departments. 6. Draft and review ILO reports and documents in his/her area of work, ensuring that workers views are represented and their concerns and interests reflected. Draft and approve documents, communications and press releases. 7. Undertake missions to Member States to provide training and technical advice to workers' organisations on issues related to international labour standards and the ILO supervisory mechanisms. These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties: 1. Examine reports by governments on ILS. Examine and analyse complaints. Draft comments for presentation to and discussion with high-level committees and/or groups of experts. Provide advice to colleagues on international labour standards under the incumbent's responsibility. 2. Prepare legal opinions on a variety of legal questions or in a specialised field. 3. Prepare notes, reports and documents concerning questions of international law or labour standards, including requests for assessments 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 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 ACTRAV 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 preconference work, including drafting committees. Represent the Office at meetings of other international organisations. 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, upon request and availability, 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 university degree in labour law, industrial relations or other relevant field.
Experience At least eight years of professional experience dealing with issues pertaining to international labour standards and workers' rights or least six years of relevant experience at the international level.
Languages Excellent command of one ILO working language (English, French or Spanish) and good knowledge of another (one of these languages must be English). Knowledge of the three ILO working languages will be an asset.
Competencies  Technical Competencies: In-depth knowledge of the work of the Organization, its policies, programmes and procedures; Excellent knowledge and understanding of workers' organisations and of labour related programmes, issues, practices and policies; Political insight and sound judgement; Discretion and high sense of responsibility, judgement and diplomacy; Ability to present and advocate policy changes in difficult circumstances; Ability to provide advice and guidance to senior-level officials, executive management and constituents and to negotiate and discuss sensitive matters with tact, discretion and authority; Ability to take initiatives, plan and organise work in accordance with the priorities established;; Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; Excellent analytical and problem solving skills, to undertake complex policy analysis and to produce relevant reports; Good working knowledge of standard computer software; Behavioural competencies: Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; Ability to demonstrate gender-sensitive attitude.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR WRITTEN TEST.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.
APPENDIX II CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. - The first contract will be issued for a twelve-month period (for Geneva-based positions) and a twenty-four month period (for non Geneva-based positions) - A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment. - Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance. Grade: P.4 Salary and post adjustment (with dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 73338 rising to Maximum 93868 Post adjustment for Geneva Minimum 63070 Maximum 80726 Salary and post adjustment (without dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 68294 Maximum Maximum 91301 Post adjustment for Geneva Minimum 58732 Maximum 78518
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 (except for the first child if the dependant rate of salary is paid in respect of that child); Children's education grant (per child per year); Pension and Health Insurance schemes; 30 working days' annual leave; Assignment Grant; Entitlement to transport expenses of personal effects; Repatriation Grant; Home-leave travel with eligible dependants every two years; Rental subsidy (if applicable). 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 Geneva, he/she may be assigned to any duty station designated by the Director-General of the ILO.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO's e-Recruitment website at: erecruit.ilo.org. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. 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, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.