Programme Manager

Grade: P5

Vacancy no.: DC/DHAKA/P/2025/01
Publication date: 29 May 2025
Application deadline (midnight Dhaka time): 15 June 2025

Job ID: 12617
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Dhaka
Location: Dhaka
Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: 1 year, renewable subject to funding

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to

About Better Work
We mobilize global brands, governments, factory owners and workers to improve working conditions, drive competitiveness and create a more equitable, more prosperous world.

The Power of Convening
As a partnership between the UN's International Labour Organization and the World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation, we know how to bring diverse groups together to create positive action that improves working conditions while stimulating productivity and competitiveness.

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 programmess 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

Better Work is a joint programme of the International Labour Organization and the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, currently operating in 13 countries. Better Work is a branch in the Governance and Tripartism Department of the ILO.

Better Work Bangladesh was launched in 2014 and is today part of the ILO Dhaka Labour Law and Working Conditions Cluster (LAWC). Better Work Bangladesh aims to have lasting impact in the RMG sector by working with public institutions and private companies towards a sustainable and scalable transition of tools, frameworks and mindset to programme constituents.

For more information about Better Work please see

The incumbent will manage all aspects of the Better Work Bangladesh programme within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Better Work global programme. A specific focus will be the implementation of the programme sustainability strategy, which will see the transition of the programme model from one based on factory-by-factory compliance to one based on national collective ownership of a compliant and productive RMG sector.

Supervision

Under the Direction of the Better Work Branch Chief, the Programme Manager falls under the direct supervision of the ILO's Country Director with respect to political and administrative matters of the Programme. A member of the Better Work Senior Management team will be the Technical Reviewing Chief.

Direct leadership of the Better Work Bangladesh programme with a specific focus on change management and transition to the next phase of the Programme:

1. In collaboration with other Better Work Country Programmes and with support from the Better Work Global team, lead the effective implementation and technical oversight of all programme components including enterprise compliance assessments, advisory services, training, stakeholder engagement and policy influencing work. Ensure a high degree of programme transparency, accountability and credibility, both internally and externally, in accordance with ILO's policies, procedures and values.

2. Further develop and lead the programme's institutional sustainability plans to achieve lasting outcomes working in tandem with other branches and units within the ILO. Articulate, trial and implement a country sustainability strategy that draws on existing partnerships with national constituents and other stakeholders and the work of the Office.
Effectively manage human resources including recruitment, mainstreaming gender equality and the principles of equal opportunity, staff development and performance management with a particular focus on increasing management and leadership skills of senior national staff to enable them to independently manage factory services and expand their responsibilities for policy influencing and stakeholder engagement.. Develop and execute a comprehensive HR transformation roadmap in line with ILO guidelines on managing change and restructuring.

4. In accordance with donor agreements, take responsibility for the maintenance of effective and efficient administrative and financial systems for the programme, including the administration of revenue collection, in compliance with the ILO financial rules and regulations.

5. Oversee the development of robust internal systems to support quality delivery of services, with a specific focus on delivering through partners. This includes the collection, management and analysis of data as appropriate in order to inform monitoring, evaluation, quality control and operational efficiency as well as to support the programme's policy and research portfolio.

6. Ensure active engagement with the tripartite country Project Advisory Committee (PAC), including providing secretariat and technical support to the PAC. Manage and facilitate regular engagement and forums with buyers and other industry stakeholders.

7. Take the lead to develop and implement a local resource mobilization strategy and maintain strong relationships with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for resource mobilisation, project development and effective management of donor funds and critically assess the value of potential funding opportunities.

8. Lead the programme's convening and facilitating role to address industry wide issues, through multi-stakeholder dialogues and partnerships. Provide authoritative policy and strategic advice to the ILO, the IFC, national partners, and other stakeholders.

9. Maintain and further expand strong collaboration with the ILO CO Dhaka Office, the Regional Office and other components of the ILO to support the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme and particularly work through the joint one ILO LAWC Cluster programme.

10. As a member of Better Work's global Operational Management Team, actively collaborate with other Better Work country programme managers to contribute to and support the development and implementation of the global Better Work programme. Ensure that the programmes uses Better Work global policies, strategies and tools to help ensure consistency in and effective delivery of all Better Work country programmes.

11. Support the ILO Dhaka Country Office in meeting expectations of national and global stakeholders within the overall context of improving working conditions and workers' rights in the garment industry in Bangladesh

Advanced university degree with demonstrated experience in international development, social sciences or other relevant field. First-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

At least ten years of professional experience in social dialogue; working with the private sector in developing countries; business and human rights; change management; project management or related fields in a senior level position, including at the international level. Experience of working with key constituents and stakeholders, is essential and experience of working with the garment sector is highly desirable.

Excellent command of English. A good working knowledge of another official ILO language (French or Spanish) would be an advantage.

1. Excellent management and leadership skills, including proven leadership ability to build respectful and harmonious working environments, to coach, motivate and train staff for continuous improvement of performance and transform team performance and commitment.
Strong experience in managing change processes and transition of teams, particularly within a developing country and UN context.
Ability to build partnerships between stakeholders to influence policy making for increased impact.
High level communications skills, both oral and written including capacity to represent the organisation, work with the media, and operate in a multi-cultural environment;
Excellent administrative, financial, project and human resource managerial skills. High level knowledge of project formulation, administration and evaluation techniques and ability to mobilise resources.
Strong strategy setting and execution skills with ability to adapt them to different challenges.
Excellent analytical skills and ability to apply them in the design and evaluation of programmes and interventions taking account of a complex operating context and political environment.
High level technical knowledge of current issues and practices in the field of responsible business conduct and business and human rights, as well such as compliance needs assessments, remediation, capacity building and training. Proven capacity to liaise with and to influence international buyers.
Experience working with the private sector development, preferably in the apparel sector, including a good understanding of the functioning of the global apparel value.
Good understanding of the key tenets and dynamics of industrial relations, as well as a foundational understanding of industrial relations at the global level in the garment industry.
High level of understanding of gender equality, diversity and inclusion, gender mainstreaming and equal opportunity principles and approaches. Experience in mainstreaming gender and promoting inclusive and diverse workplaces in a project and among staff.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit:

Important Information

Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO People. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

Applicants may only attach one document to their application. This should include a cover letter, and must also include a two page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. In doing this you should have a heading for each competency, and explain in two to three paragraphs how your skills and experience show that you meet this. Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview.

Better Work, as part of the ILO, values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities.

For more information please contact