Malaysia's labour legislation governing freedom of association, collective bargaining, trade unions, and various aspects of industrial relations dates from the 1950s and 60s. This legislation has historically provided for a substantial role of government in trade union matters and industrial relations (IR). Some important pieces of legislation have very recently been amended, including the Employment Act and the Industrial Relations Act, as well as other pieces of legislation related to migrant workers, private employment agencies and occupational safety and health. Amendments to the Trade Union Act are still pending before the Parliament. It has also undertaken to strengthen its labour inspection system. The ILO has received funds from the US Department of Labour to provide technical support and training to the government, workers and employers in the field of labour law reform, labour inspection and industrial relations.
Improving workplace compliance through labour inspection in Malaysia has a critical link with work under the revision of legislation and reforms to the industrial relations system. For the inspectorate to fully leverage its role in protecting all workers and ensuring that national laws are respected, it must collaborate with workers', employers' and their organizations to better understand the compliance gaps and to leverage their voice in community outreach and awareness raising, particularly with respect to the new laws and regulations that have been and are expected to be adopted.
Improved industrial relations skills, focused on collective bargaining for workers and employers at different levels, as well as dispute resolution for relevant government agencies, will also be required under the new regulatory framework. Collective bargaining coverage in Malaysia is currently quite low, at less that 2% of employees; the understanding of, and capacity to engage in bargaining, is low among workers and employers, and government has not provided sufficient space for workers and employers to negotiate. Addressing this gap will need a coordinated effort among all the DC projects in Malaysia, with support from relevant specialists in Bangkok and HQ.
The Project Manager (PM) will report to the Deputy Regional Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia Pacific (ROAP) and receive technical guidance and supervision from relevant specialists in DWT Bangkok, including ILS and labour law; labour inspection and administration; and industrial relations. He/she will also receive technical support from LABOURLAW at HQ. The PM will oversee the work of international experts, national officers and project staff, and any other international and local consultants hired during the course of the project.
Description of Duties:
Project management:
Ensure effective coordination, planning and implementation of the project through timely provision of inputs, effective backstopping, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and monitoring and evaluation of the project, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO and USDOL programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures, in consultation with ROAP. Identify inconsistencies and delays and when necessary, propose corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
Draft and finalize the project implementation plan and annual work plans, regular progress reports. and means of verification of project achievements and other data for clarity, consistency, and completeness.
Direct the work of the project, and supervise and provide technical guidance to project staff and consultants responsible for implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on project activities;
Maintain close working relationships with all project's stakeholders in the identified regions to ensure the smooth and efficient planning and execution of activities.
Coordinate and participate in the Project Advisory Committee established under the project.
Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying other ILO officials and experts, as and when required for purpose of supporting planning and monitoring of the project.
Take responsibility for the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project.
Manage efficiently the human resources of the project, including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects.
Prepare technical and financial reports in accordance with the ILO and USDOL guidelines and procedures.
Technical leadership and advice:
Provide technical support and advice to the Ministry of Human Resources and other government agencies on the reform of labour legislation and development of associated regulations; on the development of a new industrial relations framework; and on development and strengthened implementation of new labour inspection strategies and techniques.
Provide technical support and advice to other stakeholders of the project including relevant government agencies and other key institutions, and organizations of works and employers.
Coordinate with other DC projects to promote tripartite and bipartite social dialogue and collective bargaining, as appropriate, in project activities and outputs.
Advocacy, networking and partnership:
Foster contacts and relations with governments, ministries, the employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of the project activities.
Liaise with the other UN agency counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling up of the project's interventions. Ensure a more effective coordination with a range of relevant national policies and the strategies of various projects, including those being undertaken by other agencies or in complementary fields of activity.
Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project/program, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists.
Knowledge management:
Develop and review and disseminate project information materials.
Represent the project in meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks of government policymakers, workers and employers organizations and civil society organizations.
Other duties as may be requested by ROAP.
Required qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in labour law, labour dispute resolution, labour inspection or another related field.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience:
At least seven years of relevant experience in the oversight of development cooperation activities and/or delivery of technical advisory services, including at the international level. Proven management experience, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of a project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in partnership building, networking and donor relations. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and/or education would be an advantage.
