Introduction

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It was established in 1919 to promote social justice and brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.

The ILO is expanding its efforts in Turkmenistan to bolster the implementation of Convention No.105, ratified by Turkmenistan in 1997. In collaboration with the Turkmen government, the ILO aims to combat forced and child labour during the cotton harvest and enhance recruitment and working conditions. The 2024-25 ILO-Government Roadmap includes key measures such as prioritizing actions before the next cotton harvest, legislative reforms to fortify protections against child and forced labour, and enhancing recruitment practices and working conditions. Additionally, the roadmap focuses on improving enforcement mechanisms, facilitating access to remedies, supporting evidence-based policy changes through research, and promoting social dialogue. These initiatives, spanning 2024 and 2025, aim to reinforce the application of ratified ILO standards.

This position is located in Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, and reports to the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (DWT/CO-Moscow).

Reporting lines

The National Project Coordinator will report to the International Labour Standards and Labour Law Specialist in the Decent Work Team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The incumbent will be guided by and may receive tasks from the Technical Specialist in the Fundamental Principles and Rights and Work Branch (FUNDAMENTALS) in ILO Headquarters.

The incumbent will also receive technical advice and support from various units and departments in ILO Headquarters as well as the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and the Decent Work Team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Director of DWT/CO-Moscow is the Responsible Chief of the position.

Description of Duties

1. Establish effective partnerships in Turkmenistan with ILO constituents, programme stakeholders and service providers as well as other UN agencies, NGOs and the private sector to support programme implementation including implementation of the Roadmap.
2. Ensure effective coordination of ILO activities with government partners, trade unions and employers and other stakeholders in accordance with the policies, programme strategies, programme guidelines, administrative and financial procedures of the ILO.
3. Engage and consult with the Government of Turkmenistan, social partners, other stakeholders and external partners including UN agencies, as well as ILO technical units and backstopping specialists in the preparation of activities and ensure the timely delivery of activities and outputs and raise any areas of concern regarding progress with backstopping specialists.
4. Identify problems as they arise, propose solutions and action and follow up with relevant departments at headquarters and the backstopping specialists, executing agencies and service providers, government offices, constituents, and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
5. Prepare briefs, background notes, periodic reports in a timely and accurate manner containing pertinent information on programme and technical matters.
6. Organise and support the delivery of seminars, workshops, training sessions, meetings, missions and other activities in line with the 2024-25 Roadmap.
7. Provide support to the ILO pilot complaints mechanism through the provision of information, recording of data and through close coordination with ILO specialists.
8. Undertake missions to support the delivery of programme activities.
9. Assist in the programming and control of resources from all sources of funds, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts and make recommendations to ILO backstopping specialists based on forecasts.
10. Brief ILO specialists, experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on programme matters and support additional resource mobilization efforts with the backstopping technical specialists.
11. Develop and support dissemination of programme information and communication materials and knowledge products in collaboration with relevant units in the Sub-Regional, Regional Office and Headquarters,
12. Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the backstopping specialists and/or Responsible Chief.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in social sciences, economics, law, management, or related fields with demonstrated expertise or equivalent experience.

Experience

Two years of professional experience at the national and local levels related to human rights, labour and employment or social and economic development.

An understanding of the ILO, the United Nations system, and experience in working with officials of government ministries, donors, and workers and employers organizations would be an advantage.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of labour economics, as well as economic developments, poverty reduction, and social policies. Knowledge of the policy making process.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Turkmen or Russian.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position: Customer Orientation, Communications, Collaboration

Technical competencies

• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Capacity to engage in high-level policy dialogue with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of programme management and budget, project administration.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and relevant software packages
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, personal discipline, and impartiality.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
• Ability to work under political and time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.