1. Introduction

About Better Work

Better Work is global partnership program between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It aims to improve labour standards and competitiveness in global supply chains. The Programme mobilizes global brands, governments, factory owners and workers to improve working conditions, drive competitiveness and create a more equitable, more prosperous world.  Better Work involves the development of both global tools and country level programs. The focus is on scalable and sustainable solutions which build cooperation between government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and international buyers.

In Vietnam, Better Work works closely with the national tripartite partners including the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to support over 450 apparel and footwear factories with a view to adapt to other sectors. The program has three components:

1) Enterprise assessments on the principles of the ILO Declaration concerning core International Labour Standards and

Vietnamese labour law;

2) Enterprise advisory and training services designed to support practical improvements; and

3) Stakeholder engagement and sustainability.

For more information about the project see https://betterwork.org/vi/vietnam/

A Proven Approach

We create lasting, measurable change by empowering factories to improve the working conditions in their facilities. Our assessments are the global gold standard for rigour and integrity. Our training programs and advisory services change attitudes as well as behaviours.

National Action/ Global Influence

Through our comprehensive, university-led research, and by sharing best practices from our on-the-ground experience, we are able to shape the agenda well beyond the countries in which we work, influencing governments, brands and policy makers to make improving working conditions a top priority.

In Vietnam, the Program has entered its new strategic phase (2023-2027) with significant focus on the Program’s scalability and sustained impact with greater national ownership. The partnership therefore is placed at the centre of the program’s strategic operation in the current phase.

2. Function

This position involves providing professional level enterprise assessment and advisory services, including conducting independent enterprise assessments against labour standards, facilitating labour and management workplace dialogue, and providing enterprise level consultancy services to support remediation and enterprise improvement. The work of enterprise advisors has an impact on enterprise performance and access to markets.

3. Reporting lines

The Better Work Vietnam Enterprise Advisor reports to Better Work Vietnam Enterprise Advisor Team Leaders. Guidance and advice on technical or procedural aspects of the work are received as required. Judgement, initiative and creativity are required in translating project tools and approaches at the enterprise level. The work product is controlled by the supervisor for technical soundness and appropriateness.

4. Main duties and responsibilities

• Independently conduct enterprise assessment of labour standards and management systems at the enterprise level;

• Independently produce high standard reports in English on (i) assessments findings, (ii) recommendations for improvement, (iii) enterprise improvement plans and (iv) progress reports on implementation;

• Review the reports of other advisors as part of the peer review Better Work quality assurance system;

• Provide high quality enterprise level consultancy services designed to improve enterprise performance including coaching, facilitating management and union improvement committees, providing technical advice and conducting classroom based training;

• Select and adapt and contextualise Better Work products for use at the individual enterprise level based on needs;

• Provide technical advice and input into the development of Better Work research, products and strategies;

• Actively contribute to the project’s monitoring and evaluation strategy, research agenda and knowledge management strategy;

• Contribute to the financial sustainability strategy of the project including encouraging the participation of enterprises in project activities, a strong outcome focus, and effective time management of consultancy services;

• Supervise project support staff as required; and

• Other duties as required by the supervisor.

5. Qualifications required

Education: University degree in economics, human resource management, adult education, international development, law or other relevant fields, or equivalent in experience.

Experience: Two years of professional experience in social dialogue, capacity building in the private sector in developing countries, corporate social responsibility (particularly in the field of labour standards compliance and remediation) or other relevant field.

Languages: Excellent command of both Vietnamese and English, Vietnamese being his/her first language. A working knowledge of the Vietnamese and/or of one or more of the language spoken by the workers in the export apparel industry would be an advantage.

Required Competencies:

• Good communications skills, both oral and written;

• Good analytical skills;

• Good knowledge of the Vietnamese labour law and regulations;

• Good group facilitation, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills and capacity to deliver classroom training. Experience in industrial relations and building of social dialogue between management and worker representatives at the workplace 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 chains;

• Good understanding of a range of remediation training and capacity building initiatives including classroom-based training activities for improvement purposes

• Ability to monitor the effectiveness of training and capacity building initiatives undertaken by partner organizations/consultants;

• Good understanding of principles of gender equality and principles of equal opportunity and how these can be promoted as part the responsibilities of the post;

• Self-motivated and ability to work independently in an outcomes-based work culture as well as contributing to the work of a team; and

• Capacity to sensitively liaise and network with a range of stakeholders including staff, donors, international buyers, government officials, management, unions and NGOs.

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

6. Application instruction:

The successful candidate will be contracted by the International Labour Organization. All candidates must submit application documents in English, including (a) a competency statement (max. 3 pages) highlighting their skills against each of the listed competencies, (b) a curriculum vitae. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

ILO staff should complete their profile and submit the application online:

External candidates must create an account for online application