Director Country Office International Labour Organization Experience: 5 to 10 Years Dhaka, Bangladesh Apply By: 13-03-2025

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Job Description

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the UN agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of its member States to advance efforts to promote decent work throughout the world. The ILO is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment, enhance social protection and strengthen social dialogue in handling work-related issues.

The position is located in the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The CO Director is the ILO representative for this country and as such serves as programme manager of ILO activities and ensures that ILO tripartite constituents are provided with high quality, timely, well-coordinated and integrated services responsive to their needs and tailored to their realities. The Director is responsible for the management of all resources allocated to the office and maintaining the image and reputation of the ILO in the country.

The Director leads the process to promote international labour standards and appropriate follow-up of the supervisory bodies’ recommendations as well as actively promoting tripartism and social dialogue. The Director also plays a critical role as the ILO representative in the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the country to promote the Decent Work Agenda as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), the Global Coalition for Social Justice and other joint initiatives anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes the active engagement in the UNSDCF and other agreed strategy processes, including through the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA), UN results groups and joint work plans, in support to member States to implement the 2030 Agenda and meet the SDGs. The Director reports to the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and is responsible for keeping the Regional Director informed of significant political, policy and technical developments within the country.

The incumbent works in close cooperation with the relevant ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team as well as technical units at headquarters and the Bureaux for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) and Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), as required.

Duties:

Lead efforts to provide support and guidance to constituents in identifying and addressing their country priorities including in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). Guide and support appropriate country specific interventions by providing strong and evidence-based policy recommendations and facilitating the design, implementation and evaluation of national Decent Work Agenda strategies and plans.
Direct the formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the substantive work programme of the Country Office with support from the DWT and technical units at headquarters as necessary. Manage country activities so that visible, measurable results are achieved within the framework of the DWCP as applicable, consistent with the ILO’s Strategic Plan and approved Programme and Budget and aligned with the national sustainable development plans and strategies as well as the UNSDCF. Direct, facilitate and report on programme implementation and resource use against stated outcomes, indicators, targets and quality standards, and cooperate in the completion of ILO evaluations.
Direct the work of the office and ensure the effective management of all financial, human and other resources in accordance with ILO regulations, rules, policies, procedures and the results-based management framework. Ensure that key risks are identified, documented, assessed and managed to contribute to the achievement of agreed results and that risk management is embedded in all core processes and functions. Ensure that all staff under the responsibility of the Director optimizes the use of resources for the achievement of results and that they are held accountable for their performance. Ensure timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and feedback mechanisms.
Identify opportunities for and actively foster strategic innovative partnerships for development cooperation in areas of ILO’s mandate and, in cooperation with the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department (PARTNERSHIPS), mobilize resources to achieve DWCP priority outcomes. Facilitate dialogue between constituents and development partners, including the UNCT(s).
Build and maintain strong relationships with constituents and enhance synergies and collaboration with decision-makers and the wider public to raise the visibility of the ILO. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with the United Nations and multilateral system and facilitate the mainstreaming of the Decent Work Agenda into the development and implementation of the UNDAFs and other joint initiatives anchored in the SDGs.
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Represent ILO and determine the most appropriate form of representation in UNCTs in line with the mutual accountability framework. Share updates on important meetings and discussions with tripartite constituents and other partners. Contribute to the work of the UNCTs by participating in setting annual UNCT priorities and agreeing on UNCT participation priorities in annual work plans as agreed with the Regional Director. Provide feedback on the performance of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) within UNDCO procedures and facilitate feedback from the UNRC on UNCT participation to the Regional Director. Regularly update the UNRCs and UNCTs on the implementation of ILO-related outcomes within the UNSDCF and 2030 Agenda.
Oversee and manage up-to-date information on country-level policy developments under the overall framework of the Decent Work Agenda contributing to the ILO’s centralized knowledge system and in alignment with ILO’s publication policy. Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive communication and knowledge management plans and strategies for the Country Office. Ensure appropriate ILO representation at meetings, seminars and conferences and the delivery of strategically formulated and targeted interventions and messages.
Promote a harmonious working environment which encourages learning and in which all staff can discharge their professional responsibilities in an efficient and effective way and are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy. Encourage knowledge sharing and create linkages and synergies between development cooperation and regular budget activities.
Coordinate the day-to-day response to the safety and security of ILO staff under their supervision and work with the UN Security Management Team at the respective duty stations to ensure that all staff participate in security training exercises and comply with applicable security policies and instructions. Ensure ILO cooperation with the Security Management Teams in the country.
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Regional Director.
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 law, economics, political or social science, management/administration or other relevant field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

At least 12 years of professional experience, including experience at the international level, in the implementation and management of development programmes and/or field operations, and including in the area of labour and social policies. Considerable experience in a managerial role. Experience within the United Nations System would be an advantage.

Languages: