Recruitment Consultant – Study on the greening of labor law texts and the most important commercial sectors in Ivory Coast At International Labor Organization

Context and justifications

With the need to transition to a low-carbon economy, there are opportunities in many sectors (green jobs, health, etc.) but also challenges (social transformation and economic restructuring) that present themselves to society and the economy. . This is particularly the case for developing states, like Côte d’Ivoire, which are the most vulnerable to climate change, and therefore for whom this transition will only be possible and sustainable provided that it does not increase inequalities in the world of work. As a result, policies for adapting to climate change and those for mitigating its consequences are expected to experience substantial upheavals.

Aware of this reality, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and its constituents are committed to bringing about a just transition and a sustainable future that meets the imperatives of decent work. This is what motivated the adoption of the Principles guidelines for a just transition towards ecologically sustainable economies and societies for all .

The concept of just transition is an invitation to take into consideration the social dimension and the use of climate action policies in order to leave no one behind in the fight against global warming and the greening of the economy. that it induces. These include effective social dialogue between all relevant groups and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work with a view to maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate action, while minimizing and carefully managing challenges possible [1] .

The notion of just transition appeared a few decades ago at the instigation of worker organizations. Later, it was taken up in various agreements and Declarations, notably the Cancun Agreement on the occasion of COP 16, the Silesian Declaration on Solidarity and Just Transition and, more recently, the Paris Agreement on climate change of 2015. This latest agreement specifically mentions “the imperatives of a just transition for the active population and the creation of decent and quality jobs in accordance with development priorities defined at the national level ”. The implications of the ecological transition in the world of work give full meaning to the just transition.

At the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, 46 countries – including Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Senegal – committed to supporting a just ecological transition by formulating just transition policies alongside an intensification of their climate action. To do this, Côte d’Ivoire adopted a National Strategy for the Creation and Promotion of Green Jobs in Côte d’Ivoire (SNCPEVCI) which should subsequently contribute to the formulation of a national Just Transition plan, the objective ultimately being to adopt a national strategy and a framework for promoting green jobs and professions.

Under its strategic axis 1, the SNCPEVCI provides for the strengthening of institutional and regulatory frameworks which requires in particular the greening of legislative and regulatory texts relating to employment. Indeed, the substantial and in certain cases procedural changes induced by the just transition cannot be made outside of a legal framework favoring it. This reform of the texts, here called greening of the texts, will consist in particular of:

• The integration of International Labor Standards and resolutions that may be relevant for a just transition framework [2] and the guiding principles relating to the just transition to the green economy as well as decent work in legislative and regulatory texts (Update of the labor code (2015) with the integration of the specificity of green professions and jobs taking into account the characteristics of decent work,
• Update the inter-professional collective agreement (1977) with the integration of green professions and jobs, taking into account the characteristics of decent work;
• Greening sectoral legislative and regulatory texts with the integration of the principles of just transition to the green economy.

International labor standards are part of the basic framework for meeting the challenges of a just transition for all. A better understanding of international labor standards is a key element in the formulation and implementation of just transition policies.

The legal and normative angles are part of the different axes of the “ Trade for Decent Work ” project financed by Finland and the European Commission. Its objective is to improve the effective application of the fundamental ILO conventions in Côte d’Ivoire, thus contributing to the link between trade and decent work. This project aims, among other things, to promote international labor standards and just transition. It is in this context that this project initiates the recruitment of a consultant to carry out a study on greening texts relating to labor law and the most important commercial sectors in Côte d’Ivoire.

II- Objectives

II-A General Objective

Contribute to integrating into Ivorian legislation the guiding principles for a just transition towards ecologically sustainable economies and societies for all

II-B Specific objectives

• Define the objectives of greening legislative and regulatory texts such as reducing the carbon footprint in workplaces or promoting sustainable work practices, taking into account workers in polluting industries who will be affected by the ecological transition;
• Determine specific areas of labor law and business sectors whose legal framework should be amended to include environmental elements, such as environment-related safety standards or employee benefits; continuing training with a view to retraining in green industry sectors for workers involved in polluting industries with a view to promoting the emergence of a green economy;
• Drafting of provisions : Draft legislative and regulatory provisions in a clear and precise manner guaranteeing a just ecological transition.

III-expected products

The expected products are:

• Drafts of legislative and regulatory texts relating to green labor rights and integrating the guiding principles for a just transition towards ecologically sustainable economies and societies for all.
• Drafts of legislative and regulatory texts relating to the most important commercial sectors (previously determined) greened and integrating the guiding principles for a just transition towards ecologically sustainable economies and societies for all)

IV- Working method

The working method will consist of a permanent exchange between the consultant and the ILO team which will support him. It will align with the specific objectives which in this framework require an approach in a chronological approach. So the successive stages will be:

• Step N°1: A clear definition of the objectives of greening the texts. It will be done between the Consultant and the ILO team. At this stage, it will be a question of the consultant, drawing on his previous experiences and documentary research, to propose the detailed objectives that this greening of texts will pursue. These objectives must respond to the inadequacies of the texts in terms of greening and just transition.
• Step 2: Determining specific areas of labor law and commercial sectors whose legislation needs to be amended. The texts determined must be submitted to the ILO team for validation. The choices must be motivated.
• Step No. 3: Drafting legislative and regulatory texts relating to labor rights and the most important commercial sectors (previously determined) green and integrating the guiding principles for a just transition towards ecologically sustainable economies and societies for all ). For this phase, the ILO team and the consultant will be able to agree on a working method.

V- Consultant profile

The consultant must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Higher education diploma in law (bac +5 at least);
• Experience in drafting/reforming legislative and/or regulatory texts;
• Knowledge of issues related to the just ecological transition.

VI- Supervision and coordination

The consultant will be supervised mainly by the Just Transition Specialist. Coordination will be ensured by the Coordinators of the Trade for Decent Work project in Côte d’Ivoire.

VII- Application procedure

This consultation is open to individual consultants (natural and legal persons).

Interested candidates are required to submit their proposal which must include: (i) a CV which describes the previous experiences and the qualifications necessary to carry out the mission, (ii) a financial offer and (iii) a technical offer including a proposed timeline.

[1] To find out more, consult the ILO’s frequently asked questions on just transition via the following link: Frequently asked questions on just transition (ilo.org)

[2] See annex 6 of the Guiding Principles for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All