Dear Kinan,

Hope you are doing good!

Could you please tell me it’s possible to have the example of the written test questions and interview assessment methodology?

I thank you,

Best,

Lika

Dear Lika,

Thank you, and Happy Easter to you and the Ministry’s colleagues!

I will work on an example of the written test questions and interview assessment methodology so that you can utilize in the selection process. Please allow until the end of the week to send you the examples.

Best regards,

Kinan   

Dear Kinan,

This is to inform you that we’ve decided to go with the following scenario:

-         Call for candidatures (based on the document you shared we identified the requirements);

-         When short-listed, candidates will be asked to have a written exercise (in this case we rely on you, as  you promised you will help us elaborate an exercise in the form of a case/casus);

-         We interview them (admission commission will be officially set up).

Subsequently, we would like to ask you to share your experience in identifying the possible case/casus and interview scenario as well. That would be very much appreciated.

Thank you once again!

Wish you a good health!

Regards,

Lika

Dear Lika,

Reference to our meeting today on the purpose of your request to the mediators’ selection criteria, please find attached a detailed description that would help you to undertake the following tasks:

-          Renewing the licence of the current roaster mediators for the next 2 to 3 years based on criteria

-          Selecting additional mediators based on decisive measures such as experience, skills, education and training

-          Designing mediators’ role profile, requirements and job description

-          Drafting public or targeted call for applications or candidatures, including submission requirements

-          Designing a competency-based assessment through interview questions and written tests

Let us know if you require clarification on the content in the document. I would be happy to schedule another meeting next week, if necessary, to discuss the material in details and answer your questions.

Best regards,

Kinan

Dear Lika,

Thanks for your kind wishes and I wish you to stay safe and healthy too. I find being in Georgia now is more sheltered than elsewhere. Thanks to the government’s response in applying serious measures that are making us all feel safe.

We are pleased to hear that the Ministry has the interest to take timely action on the development of a new mediation system – considering the high-risk potential of socio-economic repercussions from the current crisis on the labour market.  

The report shared by Lejo carries findings that could set the stage for comprehensive reform to the existing mediation mechanisms. Should the Ministry decides to endorse its recommendations particularly, we stand ready to support the reform process through a joint approach with the social partners by developing an action plan with a series of activities and timeframe.   

On the mediators’ selection criteria: do I understand that the Ministry is aiming currently to increase the number of mediators?

If yes, I would suggest then, along with the selection criteria, we discuss the establishment of a national certification system of labour disputes mediators.

The certification process doesn’t have to be complex, rather consists of four steps:

1)      Selection and interview: ILO will propose criteria to help you choose candidates and interview them;

2)       Training & testing: mediator training programs involve between 25-40 hours of classroom time and include lectures and role-playing exercises. Testing can be conducted on the last day of the training and evaluated by the trainers—those who pass the test are qualified for the next and final step (comparable to the training we delivered in April last year);

3)      Probationary period: it takes practice to mediate well; thus, to receive the certificate as a roaster mediator, the candidates have to undertake at least 2-3 cases within a period of time to demonstrate adequate experience and commitment to mediate cases.

I understand that this process can be lengthy, and you might want to have additional mediators asap in response to Covid-19 crisis. In this case, we could think of a way to accelerate the program by advancing Step 3 to Step 2 to allow candidates to start mediating cases immediately after the Selection, while being practising under a Probation Period—not as roaster mediators. They still need to go through the training and testing to get certified. The overall purpose of these Steps is to ensure high standard provision and commitment of mediation practice; transparency in the selection process and certification; to re-image the perception of the “position of a mediator” as a competitive process—not as effortlessly achievable.

Please, have an internal discussion on the above proposal and let us know what you think. In the meantime, I will develop a proposal on the selection criteria and share it with you early next week.

Best wishes,

Kinan

Dear Lejo,

All is good here, trying to be optimistic J

Thank you for your  quick reply, we would go through the assessment you sent. As to the social partners, we’ve already addressed them and asked for their views on the development of the mediation system. Your feedback on our joint concept on the development of the system, would  definitely be beneficial for us.

Dear Lika,

I trust you and the colleagues at the Ministry are well, in spite of the challenging tasks you are facing.

Further to your queries, I am pleased to be able to provide you with the attached report containing an assessment of the mediation system. As you may recall, the assessment was undertaken by an ILO consultant late last year. We hope it will provide the Ministry with the guidance sought. We would be more than happy to provide any further info you may require.​

During my last meeting with the Deputy Minister we discussed the mediation system and possible next steps to be taken to improve the system. At that time, the Deputy Minister requested the ILO discuss relevant issues with the social partners in order to informally gauge their views on the development of the mediation system. The ILO would still be willing to do this, although obviously it would have to be done remotely at this time. Please, let us know if this is still required.

As for the development of selection criteria, I suggest Kinan provides the Ministry with relevant inputs as he has been engaged in the delivery of trainings concerning mediation.

Best,

Lejo

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