National consultant to conduct Compliance Assessment of RMG/Footwear factories

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Better Work Viet Nam (BWV)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Assignment:                         National consultant to conduct Compliance Assessment of RMG/Footwear factories

Contract Type:                     External Collaboration Contract (Individual)

Number of Collaborators:    02 persons 

Timeframe:                          February 2024 – February 2025. (Tentative)

Location:                              Hanoi, Vietnam (with travel to nearby provinces)

Required languages:            English and Vietnamese

Duration of Contract:           Tentatively 115 working days x 2 persons.

Each consultant will conduct and finalize 40 assessments over the period of February 2024 to February 2025 and participate in 05 days for process orientation. (The specific dates will be finalized after completion of recruitment and selection process)

1.    Background

Better Work is an innovative partnership program between the International Labour Organizations and the International Finance Corporation. It aims to improve labour standards and competitiveness in global supply chains. The programme follows an integrated approach which includes assessment, advisory, and training activities at factory level, and industry seminars to promote cross-industry sharing and learning culture. We work with national and industry stakeholders and other relevant organizations to create a spill over impacts to the industries and beyond. In Vietnam, around 490 factories in the apparel and footwear industries are actively in our activities. Our activities are implemented under the guidance or in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

As part of the factory engagement package, Better Work conducts assessments of the factory’s compliance with national labour law and international labour standards annually and forms the basis of a comprehensive improvement plan for each factory. The detailed findings of these factory-level assessments are shared with the factory owner, who may also allow Better Work to share the assessment reports with the factory’s international buyers.

2.    Objective of the assignment

The external collaborator is expected to conduct the assessment of factory’s compliance to labour standards and finalize the reports based on the given assessment tools, template and methodology. 

The Compliance Assessments are conducted strictly based on the approved Compliance Assessment Tool (CAT), and covers the areas of child labour, forced labour, discrimination, and freedom of association and collective bargaining, compensation, contract and workplace relations, occupational safety, and health, and working time.

The assessments should also be in line with the Assessment Guidelines, which outlines the assessment methodology and process required by the Programme.  

3.    Scope of works

• Following BWV assessment guidelines, conduct enterprise social compliance assessment/SLCP assessment based on BWV CAT. The assessment shall be jointly conducted with a BWV Enterprise Advisor (EA);
• Maintain BWV Quality Assurance and Quality Check (QA & QC) standard of assessment and data confidentiality.
• Independently produce high quality reports in English on assessments findings.
• Follow BWV report writing process, guidelines, alignments, and instruction.
• Peer review the reports with assigned team members as part of the Better Work quality assurance system;
• Go through BWV report reviewing process and no report should have three (03) or more drafts on an average.
• All evidence (e.g. documents, photos, interview sheet etc.) supporting the findings should be archived and shared following the BW, ILO procedures, and should be producible when required by the programme.
• The consultant is expected to maintain full confidentiality of Better Work, ILO assignment details, general BW procedure and guidelines, and ensure that the BWV anti-bribery policy is strictly followed. The consultant is also expected to maintain transparency with BWV, ILO, and abide by the Ethical code of conducts of Better Work.

4.    Projected Deliverables

5.    Possible Locations of the Assignment:

Hanoi, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai.

6.    Timeframe

February 2024 – February 2025. (Tentative)

7.    Qualification criteria  

Educational qualification:

University degree in Human Resource management/Business administration/Development Studies/Development Economics, Social Science/Industrial Relations/law or other relevant fields, and/or equivalent in experience.

Experience:

At least 3 years of professional experience  in social compliance assessment/ auditing/verification/factory compliance inspection/Corporate social responsibility, social dialogue, directly involvement in worker & management interview process, producing assessment/audit reports and review reports.

Certification: Certificate in SLCP verification, or social auditing is an added advantage.  

Language:

Excellent command of both Vietnamese and English (spoken and written), with Vietnamese being his/her first language.

8.    Competencies:

• Good communications skills, both oral and written.
• Good analytical skills.
• Good knowledge of the Vietnamese labour-related law and regulations.
• Good understanding of international labour standard (ILS).
• Good knowledge of industrial relation (IR).
• Well conversant and practical experiences in safety and health. Experience in RMG industry is an advantage.
• Understanding of enterprise level human resource, production, and quality systems.
• Good understanding of corporate social responsibility and labour compliance issues in global supply chain.
• Self-motivated and ability to work as a team with existing BWV team members in an outcomes-based work culture as well as contributing to the work of a team.
• Familiar with Social and Labour Convergence programme (SLCP) is an advantage.
• Ability to work on own initiatives as well as a member of a team. Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.
• Understanding of principles of gender equality and principles of gender mainstreaming.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with people in a courteous and cooperative manner, with high standards of ethical conduct.

9.    Reporting:

The consultant will work with Better Work enterprise advisors and report to Core Service Team Leader of Better Work Hanoi Office.

10.  Other logistic support and conditions:

Better Work Viet Nam shall NOT provide office space in Hanoi/other places and logistics (like Laptop, Cell Phone, Printer, internet service, Paper, local travel for home to ILO/BW office to home, etc.) to carry out day-to-day jobs of the consultant.

For the purpose of Q&A, and facilitating the report writing process, the consultant may use the office meeting room of BWV, in line with the Office’s rules and regulations.   

Better Work Viet Nam shall arrange transportation for the consultants to conduct assessment at factories as assigned by the program. In case of overnight stay required by the mission trips, BWV will cover the cost of accommodation and stipend fee in accordance with ILO’s policy.

The consultants must ensure that adequate insurance coverage is available to provide compensation in the event of losses, injury or illness which may occur during the period in which the obligations under this assignment are executed and understands that the ILO/ Better Work Viet Nam accepts no liability for these risks.

11.  Evaluation Criteria:

• Candidates will be shortlisted based on how well they meet the minimum requirements for the position, as demonstrated via the cover letter and CV/resume.
• Evaluation will be based on best value, through a combination of qualifications including qualification, relevant experience, and proposed daily rate.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview, and references may be consulted.

12.  Application Information:

Interested consultants can send their letter of interest and application by on  15 Jan 2023 with the following details:

• CV and details of at least 2 references
• Cover letter
• Sample work that is relevant to this consultancy
• Daily consultancy rate

Address for application: Application should be submitted by email to [email protected] under the subject: “Application for part-time assessor”.