Introduction

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 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.

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Purpose

Our work and our research have demonstrated – to employers, unions, global brands and governments – that improving working conditions and defending the rights of workers benefits all of us. We’ve improved the lives of more than 3 million workers, and millions more family members, while enhancing the profitability of their employers. There is no trade-off between better work and better business.

For more information about Better Work please see www.betterwork.org.

The Better Work Pakistan Programme

The textile and ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Pakistan is the second largest contributor to Pakistan’s GDP (after agriculture) and is a beneficiary of the EU GSP+ concessionary trade arrangements with Europe. The industry is largely centred in Karachi, Sindh and the cities of Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot in Punjab. The industry is a large employer and exporting units tend to be large scale and male dominated.

It is generally considered though those national problems related to a lack of skilled workers, infrastructure, social compliance and labour-management interaction hamper growth. There continues to be significant problems in many factories around occupational health and safety (OHS), working conditions, wage payments, freedom of association, and the lack of effective human resource management. In addition, weaknesses in national and provincial labour administration, industrial relations and social dialogue systems exacerbate and prolong non-compliance with provincial laws and regulations.

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In order to address these challenges, in 2022, the ILO and Better Work Global reached agreement with the federal Ministries of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and Commerce, and the provincial governments of Sindh, Punjab, to launch a Better Work programme in Pakistan to support the textile and RMG sector. In addition, the programme reached agreement with the Export Development Fund to provide funding for the programme, in addition to funds from other donors. Better Work Pakistan has established a 3-year pilot, which aims to cover 120 enterprises, and has established an office in Karachi. Further staff will be based in a soon-to-be-opened office in Lahore, Punjab.

The programme will operate on two levels: (1) Factory-level: build in-factory capacity to improve working conditions and establish management systems in participating factories, and (2) National and provincial structural level: assist in building constituent capacity to achieve structural, sustainable change in labour administration, industrial relations and social dialogue systems.

Function

This position involves supervising support staff that are providing administrative, financial and operational support to Better Work Pakistan staff. Reporting to the BWP CTA, this position holds key responsibility for ensuring that all BWP management and professional employees have timely and accurate financial information on which to base their decisions. It also holds key responsibility for ensuring that the finances of BWP are managed in compliance with ILO rules, regulations, procedures, directives and donors’ requirements.

Supervision

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, ILO Country Office for Pakistan, The BWP Finance and Administrative officer reports to the BWP CTA who is based in Karachi, Pakistan. The supervisor provides general instructions and operational objectives for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches and controls the work for technical soundness and for the achievement of operational goals.

Description of Duties

1. Act as part of BWP team, helping to implement operational decisions and strategic decisions regarding program’s financial operations. Will especially provide guidance on financial implications of decision making and provide input hiring and HR, budget, services development and expansion, programmatic targets, and other.
2. Assist management to ensure that revenues are being managed in compliance with ILO regulations, rules procedures and directives and according to Better Work principles and used to fund operational expenses of the programme maintaining internal financial controls.
3. Act as certifying officer for Better Work Pakistan Programme to ensure efficient and effective processing of financial transactions, compliance with ILO procedures and conformity with approved allocations. Review and approve financial transactions identifying anomalies or errors and implementing corrective actions.
4. Perform financial year end close activities; monitor commitments and expenditures, ensure that all receipts have been processed in agreement with financial rules on accrual accounting.
5. Responsible for implementing, operationalizing and maintaining internal systems, procedures, policies and structures to ensure sound financial practices, including ethical, effective and efficient use of money.
6. Ensure accurate office management, including availability of office supplies, management of inventory, approval processes, payment systems, petty cash etc.

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1. Take a leading role in monitoring operational cost recovery and in proposing recommendations for meeting cost recovery targets. Actively contributes to implementation of the sustainability strategy of the programme
2. Recruit, supervise and coach support staff performing financial, administrative and operational support to BWP in both the Karachi and Lahore offices as required.
3. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

University Degree in an accounting or finance related field

Experience

At least one or two years of progressively responsible finance/general accounting experience.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Urdu

Competencies

1. Excellent communications skills, both oral and written; Ability to work as part of a team, to cooperate, and collaborate with others and deal with diplomacy;
2. Thorough knowledge of ILO and national financial rules and regulations, and accounting principles and practice and ability to apply those rules and principles in the national context.
3. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to reason and make sound judgments; Must have good attention to detail;
4. Ability to work with confidential material and maintain high standards of ethical conduct;
5. Capacity to liaise and network with a range of stakeholders including staff, buyers, government officials, management, unions and NGOs;
6. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
7. Ability to analyse financial information from several sources, examining documentation; to resolve any apparent anomalies. Ability to plan and coordinate moderately complex projects or programmes.

optional section (if needed)

Ability to use common office computer applications, familiarity with computerized accounting packages.
Ability to systematise information, procedures, processes for future use.
Must display a high standard of ethical conduct and exhibit honesty and integrity.
Ability to deal with confidential matters with discretion.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes

Note

All applicants must attach a 2-page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. In doing this you should have a heading for each competency and explain in 2 -3 paragraphs to the selection committee how your skills and experience show that meet this.

Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview.

Better Work values diversity among its staff.

We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. All applicants must be entitled to live and work in Pakistan.