Specialist, Occupational Safety and Health

Introduction

The position is located in the Occupational Safety and Health and Working Environment Branch (OSHE) of the Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE).    GOVERNANCE leads global efforts to advance good governance and the realization of rights in the world of work through effective social dialogue, inclusive labour market institutions and integrated policy approaches. It supports constituents in advancing sound social dialogue and labour relations; developing and implementing labour law reforms and fostering access to labour justice; strengthening labour administration and labour inspection systems; promoting a safe and healthy working environment and respect and realization of fundamental principles and rights at work; as well as in improving working conditions, respect of labour rights and boosting competitiveness in supply chains. 

The OSHE Branch is responsible for leading work related to occupational safety and health (OSH), namely for the promotion, respect, and realization of the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment. The Branch facilitates the development of international standards, guidelines, and tripartite dialogues, promotes global and national awareness of the dimensions and consequences of work-related accidents and diseases, and supports global, regional, and national efforts to improve OSH frameworks and foster a preventative safety and health culture. The Branch provides policy and technical advice to ILO constituents in all aspects of safety and health at work. 

The main role of the position is to develop and contribute to studies, reports, briefs, technical tools, capacity building materials, and provide direct assistance to technical departments at ILO headquarters, field offices and constituents on the implementation of the fundamental OSH conventions, particularly the development and improvement of the diverse elements of national OSH frameworks (OSH policies, programmes, and the different elements of OSH systems). The position will also be responsible for keeping the Branch informed of global, regional, and national policy trends, scientific and technical developments on relevant and pressing OSH issues. The position will also contribute to the design and implementation of global advocacy and awareness raising initiatives, coordinating with other ILO technical departments and field offices.

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the team lead on policy and systems.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.    As primary specialist in the area(s) of OSH systems, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities and actions to support constituents in developing and implementing a comprehensive national OSH framework, as outlined in the fundamental OSH Conventions, mainstream OSH into broader public policies, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at global, regional, subregional and national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, taking into account the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and ensure the effective management of staff and consultants in accordance with ILO standards, the results-based management framework and through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and other feedback mechanisms, as applicable.
2.    Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide expert policy and technical advice in the area of occupational safety and health at work to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.
3.    Support ILO constituents in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of employers’ and workers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects. 
4.    Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Participate in multidisciplinary initiatives and activities with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.
5.    Initiate, design, conduct/commission and/or coordinate innovative and gender-mainstreamed research and analysis that meets the evolving needs of constituents and other key stakeholders in the OSH area and leads to the formulation of policy advice, technical recommendations, guidelines, and the development of new and enhancement of existing methodologies related to the area of safety and health at work.
6.    Develop and lead/coordinate the development of OSH policies, programmes, and other initiatives and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents’ needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the global, regional and country levels and provide advice and technical support to constituents and other stakeholders on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.
7.    Provide technical inputs to, oversee the drafting of/draft, peer review and edit reports, publications and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.

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8.    Support the strengthening of ILO constituents' capacity to design and implement policies and strategies, monitor their impact and identify actions for continual improvement in the area of occupational safety and health at work. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead and/or coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable
9.    Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships in the promotion and realization of the fundamental right to safe and healthy working environments  and related areas and develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners/entities of the UN system and other international organizations; regional and national actors; private institutions; multilateral development banks and international financial institutions; research institutions and academia and other key stakeholders with a view to advancing and advocating ILO’s strategic objectives and standards, ensuring coherent, coordinated and comprehensive multilateral responses, resource mobilization and influencing policy and financing decisions to support the implementation of the ILO global OSH strategy 
10.    Organize, facilitate and make technical contributions at seminars, conferences and other events. Represent and engage the ILO as a key player in meetings, conferences and forums at the international, regional, subregional and national levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of safety and health at work. 
11.    Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account regional, subregional and national priorities on the promotion and realization of the fundamental right to safe and healthy working environment  and the need to position these within relevant cooperation frameworks. Provide technical backstopping for development cooperation projects and promote and facilitate coherence and knowledge sharing among projects. 
12.    Play a key role in resource mobilization efforts to secure funding for new projects and activities in the field of occupational safety and health. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in occupational safety and health, law, medicine, social sciences, engineering,  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 seven years of experience in the area of safety and health at work, including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent command of one working language (English, French, Spanish of the Organization. Working knowledge of a second working language is an advantage.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following are required:

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of safety and health at work, and particularly in relation to formulation and implementation of national OSH policies and programmes and the establishment or strengthening of the elements of national OSHG systems with the ability to plan, coordinate and guide the development and implementation of new concepts policies, techniques and procedures in response to evolving technical needs.

Good knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities and ability to address broader issues outside the field of specialization.

Ability to lead and manage individual and group assignments and to supervise those undertaking the work.

Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance on latest policy developments in the technical area.

Excellent research and analytical skills.

Excellent drafting skills.

Excellent communication skills, excellent presentation skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills. Ability to adapt communication style to diverse audiences.

Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.

Ability to network and build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and to create and promote synergies across the Organization and with external stakeholders.

Ability to represent the Organization and present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO's position on it to partners with a view to gaining their support to advance the desired course of action.

Ability to mobilize resources.

Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.