Consultant as a Technical Specialist for the Project “Trade Unions in Transition and the Empowerment of Workers: Developing the Rule of Law and Social Partnerships in Labour Relations”
1. General Background
The project titled “Trade Unions in Transition and the Empowerment of Workers: Developing the Rule of Law and Social Partnerships in Labour Relations” is a co-funded project by the European Union (EU) and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). It is part of the EU programme “European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)”.
Similar to other socialist countries embracing market economy, the Vietnamese trade unions are currently facing the challenge of redefining their roles within an ever changing market economy. The transition from state-socialist command economy to a socialist market economy, accompanied by the pressures of globalisation and increasing labour unrest in the country, force the trade unions to adapt their structures and practices to new labour relations. This implies a range of changes in the legal system regulating the employment relationship while at the same time this same legal system must maintain and widen its ability to solve legal conflicts in labour relations, although currently insufficiently developed.
Through this project the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is committed to support the trade unions in this critical transition period. Giving the historically close relationship of the FES to the German democratic labour movement and its rich experience in cooperating with national and international trade union organisations around the world, its knowledge and expertise is of special value for the Vietnamese trade unions. Therefore, the FES in this project is partnering with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) to address these challenges and to support the workers’ legal protection, but also to enhance the social partnerships between all stakeholders.
As representatives of the interests and aspirations of employees, trade unions have the potential to play a very positive role in the construction of a more inclusive and plural civil society in Vietnam by supporting the workers in the enforcement of their rights – among others, tripartite consultation, employment security, social policy and security, fair wages and working time, maternity protection, and the special needs of migrant workers – and by integrating this under-represented group’s interests into the policy process.
This project aims at enhancing the capacities of already established legal advice centres that are facilitated by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL). These legal advice centres represent and assert workers rights and, based on their case work, provide input for policy development on the national level, which both furthers the development of the rule of law in labour relations.
The overall objective is to enhance the inclusiveness and pluralism of Vietnamese civil society and the development of the rule of law in the field of labour relations including the support of social peace and social partnership.
The specific objectives are: A) enhancing political participation, representation and assertion of rights and interests of industrial workers, especially female and migrant workers; B) assisting in consensus-building and building of social partnerships in labour relations; C) supporting and facilitating policy development and policy dialogue between trade unions and the Vietnamese National Assembly.
2. Objectives of the Assignment
The objective of the assignment is to:
- Provide expertise and support FES and VGCL around selected matters related to the proper implementation of the project
3. Scope of Work
The consultant will review and assess:
- the logistical planning and implementation of the project,
- activities during the project implementation,
- the reporting system,
- capacity building for VGCL and FES on EU project management cycle,
- the quality management system for the project,
- the monitoring and evaluation system for the project,
- the baseline information for the project,
- the implementation of the communication plan for the project,
- draft all relevant reports during the project implementation
4. Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and expected places of travel
In order to fulfil the entire scope of work, the consultant agrees to a framework service contract starting on 15th March 201 until March 31st, 2016 when the project has to be concluded and the final report has to be delivered to the EU. He/she will work on request of the implementing agency as deemed necessary to fulfil the tasks but not exceeding a fulltime employment of a month. He/She will work at the project office in Hanoi or at specifically assigned duty stations.
5. Final Products
The project will be implemented properly with the support of the consultant, including the interim and final report.
6. Provision of Monitoring and progress control
The project will be monitored and controlled by Senior Advisor at FES and Project Steering Committee Member and FES Vietnam country representative Erwin Schweisshelm as representatives of the implementing agency.
7. Degree of expertise and Qualifications
The consultant should have the minimum expertise and qualifications:
- University degree or higher
- at least 3 years of experience in project cycle management
- at least 3 years of experience working with international organizations or non-governmental organizations
- knowledge on legal advice systems of trade unions as well as the industrial relations system in other countries in Vietnam or other countries is a benefit
- fluent in English and German, especially demonstrated writing skills in English and German, working knowledge of Vietnamese for coordination with VGCL
8. Admin Support and References
The organization and financial compensation of travel arrangements for the consultant to assigned duty stations and the corresponding accommodation costs and per diem costs and the provision of relevant documents will be done by the FES office Vietnam in accordance with FES standard regulations.
9. Review time required and payment term
The consultant fee will be paid upon approval of the monthly timesheet of the consultant. The timesheet includes a description of the daily activities.
The respective amount is payable after the consultant submits the invoice and the signed timesheet to FES Hanoi Office.
10. Deadline for submission of application
The Deadline for submission of application is 01.4.2014 to [email protected] [1] or sealed envelope to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, No.7 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi.