Introduction

The Research, Innovation, and Strategic Engagement Project to Promote Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Globally (RISE) aims to strengthen policies and improve the capacity of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other actors in society to respect, promote, and realize freedom of association and collective bargaining (FACB). The project, funded by the US Department of Labor, will be implemented in overlapping phases and will include activities at the global, regional, and national levels. The project strategy seeks to continuously build and promote the application of critical knowledge needed to inform policy choices, strengthen the implementation of FACB in target countries, regions, and sectors, and communicate the impact and outcomes effectively.

The project seeks to achieve three complementary outcomes:

Outcome 1: Improved knowledge base on freedom of association, collective bargaining, and industrial relations;
Outcome 2: Improved capacity of governments, employers and their organizations, and worker organizations to effectively realize freedom of association and collective bargaining; and
Outcome 3: Global, national, sector, and enterprise-level stakeholders learn about and promote innovative approaches and take action for the realization of FACB.

The project falls under the technical responsibility of the Governance, Rights and Dialogue Cluster of the ILO (ADG/GRD). ADG/GRD encompasses the functions and responsibilities of four policy departments: International Labour Standards (NORMES), Governance and Tripartism (GOVERNANCE), Conditions of Work and Equality (WORKQUALITY) and Sectoral Policies (SECTOR).

The ILO seeks to recruit a Senior Communication and Public Information Officer within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Project. The Senior Communication and Public Information Officer will support the Chief Technical Adviser with the design, development and implementation communication-related activities, products and events to communicate the work of the RISE project and of the ILO more broadly in relation to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The Senior Communication and Public Information Officer will report to the Chief Technical Adviser responsible for the project and will receive overall strategic and policy guidance from the Assistant Director-General of the Governance, Rights and Dialogue Cluster. The Senior Communication and Public Information Officer will receive technical support from the Industrial Relations specialist of the project as well as from other relevant technical specialists in HQ and in the field engaging as appropriate with different Departments, Branches as well as with Regional and Subregional Offices and Decent Work Country Programs.

Description of Duties

1. In close collaboration with colleagues in the RISE team and technical departments at headquarters and field and regional offices, develop and implement strategies for targeted mobilisation campaigns across a variety of platforms, including digital, to strengthen policies and improve the capacity of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other actors in society to respect, promote, and realize rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

2. Conceptualise, design and manage work to create a Knowledge Hub to promote the application of critical knowledge needed to inform policy choices, strengthen the implementation of FACB in target countries, regions, and sectors, and communicate the impact and outcomes. The Knowledge Hub will serve as a repository for practical tools, guides, and case studies that identify challenges, emerging good practices, lessons learned and make recommendations for the future to improve realisation of FACB. It will also house ILO data and research relating to FACB. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination through the Knowledge Hub and in all aspects of the project.

3. Write, edit and revise compelling materials that speak to the work and impact of the project, expand influence, demonstrate how change happens, and inspire others to take action in relation to freedom of association and collective bargaining. This includes briefs drawing out the essence of research findings for policy makers and other target audiences, fact sheets, human interest stories, speeches and talking points, digital news items, and media pitches.

4. Identify opportunities for, conceptualize and oversee the running of RISE public convenings and other public events, identifying and developing marketing opportunities to promote selected priority themes.

5. In coordination with DCOMM, establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with mass media representatives, news services, editors, etc. to encourage accurate and favourable reporting of the project’s activities.

6. Act as spokesperson for the RISE project at public information meetings, conferences and press briefings. Make presentations to various groups on RISE activities.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public interest communications, journalism, or other relevant discipline, or its equivalent. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

Seven years of professional experience in public information or related fields of work, including at the international level. Journalistic or government public affairs experience would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of two working languages of the Organization (English, French, Spanish). One of them must be English. Knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

– Excellent journalistic writing and presentation skills.

– Excellent analytical skills.

– Demonstrated ability to develop and oversee a public information/communication programme of activities.

– Strong project management skills, including managing multiple stakeholders, consultants, and project based teams from concept to execution.

– Sound political judgement. Creativity.

– Good negotiating skills.

– Ability to conduct interviews.

– Ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.

– Very good knowledge of tools and techniques for digital content creation, including social media, blogs and mobile.

– Sound news judgement.

– Experience of writing for the web.

– Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.