Technical Officer on Wage Bargaining

Introduction

The position is located in the Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) within the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY).  WORKQUALITY brings together the ILO's technical expertise in the areas of economic and labour market analysis, working conditions, labour relations and collective bargaining, labour migration, disability inclusion, gender and ethnic/racial equality, HIV/AIDS in the workplace, and policy integration. INWORK aims to improve the working conditions and the protection of workers through effective policies, while contributing to achieving an inclusive labour market which provides access to quality employment for all, including sound labour relations. The Branch is in charge of wages and income, working time and work organization, contractual arrangements, employment protection (economic dimension), digital labour platforms and data privacy. INWORK is also leading the ILO activities related to informality in formal enterprises and households and on decent work for domestic workers. The Branch undertakes multi-dimensional analysis of workers’ protection, vulnerability at work and labour market institutions, including the impacts of the latter on labour markets and economic performance and on equality. It develops and, upon request, offers integrated policy advice which is responsive to national needs, priorities, and resources. 

The main role of the position is  to deliver sound technical support to constituents on wage setting through collective bargaining. The incumbent will contribute to policy advice on wage policies, including living wages, on wage-setting through collective bargaining for specific groups such as domestic workers or digital platform workers and on ensuring adequate combination of wages and working time provisions in collective agreements. The incumbent will also contribute to the Branch’s research, analytical and policy development work in these areas. They will contribute to foster inclusivity of collective bargaining processes that include wage determination..
The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Chief of INWORK.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.    Provide technical and policy support to the INWORK Branch in the areas of wage setting through collective bargaining, with the view to improving working and living conditions of workers in a variety of work arrangements and reducing inequalities.
2.    Undertake global, regional, country and sectoral analyses to identify constituent decent work priorities and needs. Review previous impact assessments done on approaches or activities to identify innovative practices and propose adaptations to best address the issue(s) identified. 
3.    Contribute to the formulation of strategies and policies relevant to wage and working time working conditions of specific groups, effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour market institutions, including providing technical inputs to components of ILO Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks, in response to the demand from Member States or field offices. Collect and compile data, statistics and other information that reflect the country or region decent work situation and ILO constituents’ key concerns and priorities. 
4.    Provide technical support to ILO constituents and other relevant stakeholders pertaining to wage setting through collective bargaining, including in the context of the operationalization of living wage, or for specific groups of workers, or in relation to working time with a view to promoting the Decent Work Agenda and fostering a fair distribution of the fruits of progress. Respond to requests for data, information or guidance on wage setting through collective bargaining. Draft policy recommendations and provide support with follow-up actions, as and when appropriate.
5.    Undertake policy-oriented, comparative, qualitative or quantitative research and analysis that takes into account gender and diversity considerations in the area(s) of wage determination through collective bargaining and the effectiveness and inclusiveness of wage bargaining processes. Commission research, draft terms of reference for research consultants and monitor and coordinate their work. 
6.    Identify and maintain up-to-date knowledge on emerging trends and policy developments on wage setting through collective bargaining. 
7.    Draft and/or provide technical input into the development, peer review and editing of policy briefs, working papers, reports, publications and other knowledge products and contribute to their dissemination. Provide evidence-based technical content for social media, digital and other knowledge-sharing tools and platforms, with a view to reaching broad and diverse audiences.
 

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8.    Synthesize and share good practices and lessons learned, taking into account complementarities with other technical areas of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.  
9.    Participate in the identification of capacity development needs of constituents in relation to wage setting through collective bargaining and make proposals on how to address them. Prepare related training and learning materials and activities in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable. Deliver training to diverse audiences using innovative methods and communication tools and leveraging the use of digital technologies. Participate in knowledge sharing activities.
10.    Provide substantive inputs to the design, development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and technical backstopping activities of development cooperation projects. Draft programme and project documents, taking into account priorities on labour market institutions, workers’ protection and working conditions and the need to position these within relevant cooperation frameworks. 
11.    Support resource mobilization efforts for new projects and activities including by leveraging opportunities for collaboration with partners and proposing new initiatives/activities, in the field of wage and working time policies or access to decent work for specific groups.
12.    Participate in national, regional, international and UN inter-agency and other stakeholder working groups, consultations and forums to engage with potential and existing partners to present the ILO approach or discuss joint work or initiatives and share practices on wage bargaining. 
13.    Organize, assist in and/or facilitate meetings and other events in the areas of wage and working time policies, working conditions of specific groups, effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour market institutions, including proposing agenda items, identifying participants, preparing technical materials, proposing facilitation techniques, preparing and delivering presentations, drafting summary reports and monitoring follow-up. 
14.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, social and legal sciences or other relevant field.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned field(s) 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 five years of experience in collective bargaining, including on wage bargaining.

Languages

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

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

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

Good knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of collective bargaining. 

Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities.

Knowledge of IT applications for information collection, management and dissemination.

Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Ability to identify sources and develop methods for data collection.

Good research and analytical skills.

Good drafting skills.

Ability to adapt quickly to new IT software and systems.

Good communication skills, presentation skills. Persuasion and ability to present technical arguments to convince counterparts on a course of action.

Ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and work well in a tripartite context.

Ability to present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO's position on it to partners using a wide range of techniques and technologies.

Ability to assess, adapt and amend individual and group assignments (policies, approaches, models) to meet new or changed needs and situations.

Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance in the technical area.

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