Introduction

Since 2013, the ILO has closely collaborated with and supported the Government of Bangladesh in enacting major legal and administrative reforms to uphold labour rights and improve workplace safety. Notable reforms include amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA) in 2013 and 2018 the adoption of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Labour Act (ELA) in 2019, the formulation of the Bangladesh Labour Rules in 2015 and its amendment in 2022, as well as the formulation of the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Rules in 2022. While progress has been made, there is a need for effective institutional mechanisms to support the implementation of the new legislative framework.

To maintain momentum and support Bangladesh’s smooth graduation from LDC status, the CO Dhaka Office is working together with the Government of Bangladesh’s and social partners under its Bangladesh Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for continued support to labour reform as per the ILO GB Road map of actions and Bangladesh National Action Plan (NAP) on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh (2021-2026).

This work is organised under Labour Administration and Working Conditions (LAWC) cluster that is a composite of several individual development cooperation projects and is operated through seven technical work units: International Labour Standards, Labour Administration Reform, Labour Inspection, Occupational Safety and Health, and Industrial Safety, Social Dialogue as well as the Better Work Bangladesh unit. These units are coordinated under the overall leadership of a cluster program manager, with administrative, finance, general, and technical services provided by a Cluster Support unit.

The breadth and depth of work required for this cluster of programmes will require a talented team that is able to grasp the complexities of the cluster approach, work cooperatively and deliver quality technical work as a team.

Objective:

The main purpose of this position is focused on providing strategic input, coordination, and technical support to the LAWC programmes initiatives to advance gender mainstreaming, capacity building, and dialogue among tripartite constituents (workers, employers, and government).  Through effective gender mainstreaming strategies, the incumbent contributes to enhancing collaboration, accountability and guidance while supporting the country’s journey toward achieving decent work in Bangladesh.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the LAWC gender strategy, ensure gender mainstreaming throughout activities and areas of work, and liaise with relevant stakeholders to foster collaboration and synergies. The position will also involve research, analysis, reporting, and participation in meetings and events related to gender equality. . The incumbent will play a vital role in advancing the LAWC Programme’s objectives and ensuring the integration of gender perspectives and international labour standards.

Reporting lines:

Under the guidance of the Programme Manager of the Labour Administration and Working Condition Cluster (LAWC), the managerial supervision by the Chief of Party and the technical supervision of the Operations Manager, the incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the project in the areas of his/her competence. The PO will also work closely with the Gender Specialist, ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia in New Delhi.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1.    Provide input to the LAWC initiatives, ensuring the integration of gender equality considerations, to support tripartite constituents (workers, employers, and government) in implementing a transformative approach towards achieving gender equality.
2.    Conduct research, gathering relevant data, and generating insights to inform and shape gender-responsive strategies and interventions within the LAWC framework.
3.    Collaborate closely with the tripartite constituents and stakeholders to ensure their perspectives and needs are reflected in the development and implementation of gender equality initiatives.
4.    Prepare result-based annual workplan and budget and implement and revise in conformity with the ILO guidelines, ensuring timely delivery of activities in line with identified objectives and outputs
5.    Review and update the gender strategy to ensure a cross cutting approach to LAWC interventions and alignment with the overall Country Office-Dhaka Gender Strategy based on consultations with the ILO constituents and other key stakeholders.
6.    Provide inputs to the application of international labour standards in development cooperation and towards strengthening of gender equality through the promotion of, labour inspection, OSH, dispute resolution, workplace cooperation and social dialogue.
7.    Provide inputs and coordinate activities aiming to build capacities of the related government agencies, workers’ organizations, and employers’ organizations to advance gender equality.
8.    Proactively take lead or assist in planning and organizing conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings as may be required for the successful implementation of the gender strategy of the project.
9.    Liaise with the related government ministries and departments, employers’ organizations, workers’ organizations, and civil society organizations to strengthen synergy for gender equality promotion.
10.    Proactively assist intra-team coordination and contribute to the promotion of teamwork within the project and with other ILO projects and programmes.
11.    Provide input to the project monitoring and progress reports and other kinds of project reports to ensure gender mainstreaming as and when required.
12.    Provide inputs to budget preparation, cost estimates, expenditure control and project revisions with a view to ensure gender equality promotion.
13.    Represent ILO in various fora, under the guidance of supervisor
14.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the LAWC Programme Manager

Required qualifications

Education

University degree in Gender Studies, Social Studies, or related field and strong knowledge of development issues particularly in Bangladesh. Training or orientation to the International Labour Standards, Social Dialogue, and Industrial Relations is an added advantage.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience at the national level in mainstreaming gender to advance gender equality in development cooperation. Proven experience in area of labour rights, workers’ education, workplace cooperation, industrial relations, preferably with an international organization

Languages

Excellent command of English and Bangla

Knowledge and Competencies:

⦁    Ability to carry out review, analysis and data collection of the current state of gender and social trends, workers’ rights and welfare issues, workplace cooperation, compliance of gender related labour law, and the implementation of the international labour standards with a view to understand and be familiar with priorities and actions required
⦁    Ability to develop concepts and strategies to implement and deliver activities related to his/her work including indication of partners, stakeholders and resources as may be needed for implementation.
⦁    Contribute for various project reports, including thematic briefs or technical updates related to gender equality, disability and inclusion and prevention of gender-based violence
⦁    Collect and prepare baseline information on gender, data and documents for meetings, to included Project Advisory /Steering Committee and project evaluation missions as may be assigned by the LAWC Programme Manager.
⦁    Ability to conduct gender policy discussion in high level forums
⦁    Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
⦁    Knowledge of office’s policies, administrative procedures, and practices.
⦁    Knowledge of financial rules and regulations.
⦁    Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
⦁    Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
⦁    Ability to prepare result-based annual workplan and budget and implement in conformity with the ILO guidelines

In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency; Sensitivity to diversity; Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing; Client orientation; Communication; Orientation to change; Ability to take responsibility for performance; Quality orientation; Collaboration], this position requires:

⦁    Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders
⦁    Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
⦁    Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully manage area of responsibility
⦁    Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
⦁    Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
⦁    Ability to work in diversified environments.
⦁    Clear commitment to mainstream gender and disability into project activities.
⦁    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
⦁    Ability to train and guide personnel.
⦁    Establishes high quality standards for own delivery.
⦁    Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
⦁    Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
⦁    Good knowledge about social, economic development, including labour and employment, trends in the country