Enterprise Advisor Team Leader

Overview
Duty station: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Grade: NO-B
Contract type: Fixed-term appointment
Duration: One year renewable contract for a period of up to five years subject to funding
Organizational Unit: ILO Better Work Vietnam

Background
Better Work is an innovative partnership program between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It aims to improve labor standards and competitiveness in global supply chains. Better Work involves the development of both global tools and country level programs. The focus is on scalable and sustainable solutions which build cooperation between government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and international buyers.

In Vietnam, Better Work is supported by Finland, IFC, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It will initially focus on the export apparel sector with a view to adapt to other sectors. The program has three components:
1) Enterprise assessments on (a) the principles of the ILO Declaration core international labor standards and Vietnamese labor law, and (b) quality and productivity;
2) Enterprise advisory and training services designed to support practical improvements; and
3) Stakeholder engagement and sustainability.

For more information about the project see www.betterwork.org/vietnam

Function
This position involves supervising staff that are providing professional level enterprise assessment and advisory services, including conducting independent enterprise assessments against labor standards and provisioning enterprise level consultancy services to support remediation and enterprise improvement. The person will play a leadership role in general Better Work Vietnam operations and stakeholder engagement. The work has an impact on enterprise performance and access to markets. 

Supervision and Guidance
The position reports to Better Work Vietnam Operational Manager who is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The position requires a high level of independence. Judgement, initiative and creativity are required in translating project tools and approaches at the enterprise level. The work product is controlled by the supervisor for technical soundness and appropriateness.

Responsibilities
1.Serve as lead and participate in enterprise assessment of labour standards and management systems at the enterprise level.  Analyse the fact-findings and give recommendations within the project contexts.
2. Ensure provision of advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building through classroom based training to national institutions and partner agencies on the improvement of enterprise performance.
3. Prepare periodic progress reports, analytical reports and subject matter related technical reports on the status of Better Work Vietnam activities.
4. Contribute creative ideas for program development and serve as a senior national program advisor to the Program Manager; draft portions of program and budget proposals, objectives, program reviews, and evaluation. Monitor progress of the program by reviewing, verifying and analyzing work plans, progress reports, final reports and other data that is relevant for Better Work Vietnam expansion and sustainability;
5. Plan, organize, and facilitate consultative meetings, seminars and workshops with stakeholders including the Better Work Vietnam Project Advisory Committee, international and local buyer representatives, employer representatives, unions, donors, and others.
6. Provide technical advice and input into the development of Better Work research, products and strategies;
7. Guide and support the project implementation and evaluation strategies.
8. Administer provision of  resources and identify financial problems and develop solutions.
9. Undertake missions on behalf of Better Work Vietnam independently or accompanying other officials
10. Supervise the work of project support staff as required;
11. Other duties as required by the supervisor.

Education
A recognized university degree in human resource management, adult education, international development, law or other relevant fields, or equivalent in experience.

Experience
At least three years of professional experience in social dialogue, capacity building in the private sector in developing countries, corporate social responsibility (particularly in the field of labor standards compliance and remediation) or other relevant field.

Languages
Excellent command of English. A working knowledge of the Vietnamese and/or of one or more of the language spoken by the workers in the export apparel industry would be an advantage.

Required Competencies
1. Good team management skills, with a strong focus on building staff skills through a participatory approach. Ability to solve complex operational problems through negotiation and conflict resolution
2. Good understanding of budget issues, project formulation, and administration.
3. Effective communications skills, both oral and written and an ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy;
4. Good analytical skills;
5. Good knowledge of the Vietnamese labor law and regulations;
6. Good group facilitation, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills and capacity to deliver classroom training. Experience in industrial relations and building of social dialogue between management and worker representatives at the workplace an advantage;
7. Understanding of enterprise level human resource, production and quality systems;
8. Good understanding of corporate social responsibility and labor compliance issues in global supply chains;
9. Ability to monitor the effectiveness of training and capacity building initiatives undertaken by partner organizations/consultants;
10. Good understanding of principles of gender equality and principles of equal opportunity and how these can be promoted as part the responsibilities of the post;
11. Self-motivated and ability to work independently in an outcomes-based work culture as well as contributing to the work of a team; and
12. Capacity to sensitively liaise and network with a range of stakeholders including staff, donors, international buyers, government officials, management, unions and NGOs.

Application instructions
The successful candidate will be contracted by the International Labour Organization. All candidates must submit application documents in English to [email protected], including (a) a competency statement (max. 3 pages) highlighting their skills against each of the listed competencies, (b) a curriculum vitae. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview..

Closing date: May 31, 2011.