Introduction

Global expectations from governments, consumers and investors regarding Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and social sustainability - including Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), sound industrial relations and meaningful social dialogue - continue to grow. Thailand, as a major host country in the Asia-Pacific region for the automotive and related electrical and electronics sector manufacturing, is advancing labour reforms, decent work, and HRDD-related initiatives that are reshaping demands and expectations on business. However, many suppliers – particularly SMEs in the lower tiers of the supply chains – encounter persistent constraints that limit the effective adaption of responsible business practices.

The Project - Advancing Responsible Supply Chains and Decent Work is a new innovative project funded by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The Project aims to promote responsible and resilient supply chains and decent work between Japan and Thailand, by advancing HRDD, fostering social dialogue, and enhancing cross-border industry cooperation in the automotive and related electrical and electronics sectors. Using the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) as a framework for action, the Project also aims to strengthen institutional capacity in Japan to support responsible business conduct; enhance enterprise-level HRDD, workplace cooperation, and social dialogue among suppliers in Thailand; and promote cross-border dialogue and collaboration among governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Through these combined efforts, the Project seeks to create an enabling environment for sustainable and responsible business practices and decent work across Japan-Thailand supply chains.

The Project Technical Officer will be responsible for the management and implementation of all aspects of the project and ensure the project objectives are attained within the allocated timeframe and budget. The incumbent will

ensure alignment with ILO standards, policies and recommendations across all project-related technical areas.

Reporting lines

• The Project Technical Officer will be based in Bangkok, Thailand and will work under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, through the Chief Technical Advisor and Overall Coordinator of the ILO-Japan Partnership Programme (hereinafter referred to as CTA-Japan). The Project Technical Officer will receive technical guidance and advice from the Multinational Enterprises and Responsible Business Conduct Unit (MULTI/RBC) and relevant specialists in the Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific (DWT-Bangkok).

• The Project Technical Officer will also liaise and work in close cooperation with DWT-Bangkok and the directors and national programme officers in the ILO country offices covering Thailand as well as ILO Office for Japan to ensure necessary coordination and synergy.

Description of Duties

1. Effectively plan and implement project activities in conformity with the project strategy and logical framework in accordance with ILO development cooperation and programming policies and guidelines as well as administrative and financial procedures.

2. Coordinate and expedite project activities through exchange of information and discussions with technical, substantive and project staff. Monitor, analyse and evaluate expected project outcomes and deliverables, and prepare reporting of project activities including technical progress reports submitted to the Government of Japan. Undertake technical missions in relation to the implementation of project activities. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

3. Liaise on project-related matters with ILO constituents and key stakeholders, including governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, other social partners and international organizations, and the Government of Japan, in close consultation with concerned ILO country directors.

4. Coordinate research and other knowledge development activities in consultation with colleagues in the DWT-Bangkok and in the ILO country offices as well as with the MULTI/RBC specialists and technical specialists at ILO headquarters.

5. Ensure effective coordination, collaboration and alignment with regional and country level programmes to facilitate integrated and comprehensive interventions.

6. Organise and participate in national and sub-regional workshops on technical issues and identify training partner agencies for national and sub-regional activities.

7. Design and maintain project-level tracking tools and contribute to corporate information sytems, produce progress reports, and coordinate with internal teams to share knowledge and results, including communicating success stories to project stakeholders.

8. Under the guidance of the Country Director, maintain close liaison with the concerned governments and employers and worker’s organizations, private sector, civil society organizations, academia, and the donor, in the planning and implementation of activities under the project, including resource mobilisation activities for the development of future activities linked to the project.

9. Promote ILO standards, instruments and policies in the technical areas under the project, especially the fundamental principles and rights at work and the ILO MNE Declaration in collaboration with ILO technical specialists.

10. Draft Terms of Reference for the recruitment of consultants for specific project outputs, assist in preparing related contracts, and monitor implementation.

11. Provide technical guidance and day-to-day coordination to project support staff and consultants engaged in the project, ensuring coherence and quality of technical outputs, under the supervision and in close coordination of the CTA.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international relations, development studies, economics, geography, demography, or a relevant field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience including at the international level in project management and implementation of technical assistant projects in the areas of sustainable enterprise, labour standards, corporate social responsibility, trade and investment, skills, or other relevant area. Experience in the fields of labour standards, corporate social responsibility, economics, trade and investment and skills enterprise development with technical cooperation projects in developing countries would be an advantage. Familiarity with ILO principles and procedures, including experience working with ILO constituents, development partners and international organizations at the global, regional and country level would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of local languages in the region would be advantaged.

Competencies

• Ability to perform a variety of conceptual analyses required for the formulation, administration and evaluation of projects.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative analytical tools to analyse and evaluate complex data sets, addressing a wide range of skills-related and enterprise challenges.
• Proven ability to take ownership of responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments to the expected standard within the prescribed deadline and budget.
• Experience in research work and discussion papers to generate practical findings, and dissemination of these products to ensure effective communication and project visibility.
• Ability to develop and present policy documents and related project materials at high-level meetings.
• Solid understanding of the UN development system, including its roles, mandates, and operational frameworks.
• Ability to negotiate persuasively with donor representatives. Ability to justify requirements and approaches to resolve issues.
• Ability to draft project documents, evaluation reports and communication materials clearly and concisely.
• Ability to formulate concepts and methodologies, and to empirically synthesise research findings and draw conclusions on related subjects.
• Proven ability to contribute technically and collaboratively during field missions.
• Ability to guide, support and help coordinate the work of external collaborators, support staff, interns and young professionals.
• Ability to organise meetings, workshops and events at the national and regional level for ILO tripartite constituents and key project stakeholders.
• Ability to share information and knowledge among ILO colleagues, constituents and key project stakeholders in an efficient, systematic and engaging manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively with ILO headquarters and field offices, ILO constituents, key project stakeholders, the donor and other development partners.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender equality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.