Project Manager - Trade, Labour and FPRW in Southeast Asia (2024)

The 'Trade, Labour and FPRW in Southeast Asia' project is a five-year initiative funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO). With a budget of CAD 7 million, this project is designed to enhance the integration and compliance of ILO fundamental conventions in the Southeast Asian trade sectors, particularly those involved in free trade agreements.

The project aims to strengthen the promotion and enforcement of labour compliance with international labour standards, including Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), especially in export sectors. Aligning with Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy, the project will improve the enforcement of labour provisions, in current and future free trade agreements between Southeast Asia and Canada. Key areas include fostering Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (FOA/CB), irrespective of a convention's ratification status. The project also places a strong emphasis on gender equality and inclusion. The initiative will engage a diverse range of Southeast Asian stakeholders, ranging from the ASEAN Secretariat and ILO constituents—including labour officials, workers and employers' organizations, the judiciary, and policymakers focused on labour rights and trade promotion.

The project activities will include providing technical assistance, capacity building, raising awareness, conducting evidence-based studies, and facilitating inclusive social dialogue mechanisms where possible in the sub-region that are members of CPTPP or are engaged in potential Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

The project will ensure a coherent and synergistic effort across regional initiatives and will align with the Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP) across countries. This strategic approach involves close collaboration with ASEAN Secretariat, fostering a unified effort throughout the sub-region and contributing to ongoing initiatives/roadmaps/actions in the ASEAN region and ASEAN Member States (AMS).

The Project Manager post will be based in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Project Manager (PM) will work under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and technical guidance of the Senior Specialist on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in the ILO Decent Work Team Bangkok (DWT-Bangkok). The project will also receive technical support from FUNDAMENTALS in ILO Headquarters, and additional expertise will be sought from other technical departments and specialists in DWT-Bangkok.

The PM will lead the programme by providing technical and managerial leadership. Specifically, the PM will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Lead effective implementation of the programme through timely provision of inputs, effective backstopping, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and monitoring and evaluation of the programme activities in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures;

2. Guide and supervise the work of the officials recruited under the project, in both administrative and technical aspects, such as administrative coordinating, technical designing, monitoring and evaluation, communications and reporting of project activities, ensure effective co-ordination of action programmes in order to deliver integrated and comprehensive interventions. Create a learning, knowledge sharing, and staff development friendly environment;

3. Responsible for designing, monitoring, evaluation and reporting (in close coordination with the M&E and Communication Officer) of programme activities, and ensure effective coordination in collaboration between individual country programmes for integrated and comprehensive interventions, and ensure 'added value' from the sub-regional approach;

4. Ensure the programme's approaches and interventions are in line with the programme's cross-cutting strategies on gender equality and women's empowerment, and communication and advocacy, both within the ILO and with programme partners; and that progress against these cross-cutting strategies is reported on and visible;

5. Organize national and sub-regional workshops on technical issues, identify and train partner agencies for national and sub-regional activities when necessary; and monitor, backstop, evaluate, and adapt where appropriate;

6. Build partnerships with the concerned ASEAN institutions, and other regional bodies, governments and the employers' and workers' organizations, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, the target groups and the donor, in the planning and implementation of activities under the programme;

7. Coordinate closely with relevant ILO regional and national projects relating to the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW,) with ILO country offices and the DWT-Bangkok, and with various UN agencies, bilateral donors and NGOs, and others with similar programmes or mandates;

8. Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of programme planning and implementation, and establish coordination with concerned ILO departments and programmes;

9. Provide technical expertise and advice to the project team and to the stakeholders of the project, including relevant government agencies and other key institutions. Ensure that technical interventions and decisions are well founded and take into account the specific nature of the project objectives.

10. Promote ILO policies on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and the relevant International Labour Standards;

11. Manage, guide and supervise the work of the M&E and Communication Officer and the Finance and Administrative Assistant recruited under the project, including the recruitment and performance appraisal of staff, and the financial management of the project, ensuring adherence with ILO rules and guidelines.

12. Provide thematic support to FUNDAMENTALS and other ILO units as appropriate;

13. Carry out other duties as may be assigned.

At least seven years of relevant experience, including at the international level. Field experience in programme management and implementation. Proven capacity to initiate and implement technical co-operation programmes and activities with ILO constituents, private sector and NGOs, preferably in Southeast Asia. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures would be an asset. Experience in working on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work is required.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and/or education would be an advantage.