Introduction

Jordan has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1956 and has actively engaged in improving labour standards. It has ratified 26 ILO conventions, including 7 Fundamental Conventions, 3 Governance Conventions, and 16 Technical Conventions. These commitments reflect Jordan's focus on promoting decent work, social dialogue, and labour rights. Key labour market issues in Jordan include high unemployment, especially among youth and women, and challenges related to the employment of Syrian refugees. The ILO supports Jordanian nationals and non-Jordanians including refugees and migrant workers, enhancing social and labour protections, promoting equitable employment conditions and strengthening their equitable participation in the labour markets. The ILO has been a crucial partner in addressing these concerns, working on initiatives aimed at enhancing social protection and creating sustainable jobs.

The EU funded joint UNESCO–ILO TVET for Decent Work project aims to strengthen Jordan’s TVET system over three years by improving governance, training quality, and pathways to decent work for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups. Responding to persistent challenges such as fragmented institutions, weak labour market alignment, limited work-based learning, and social barriers to participation, the project will support stronger coordination among key TVET actors, improve quality assurance and labour market intelligence systems, and expand inclusive, competency-based and work-based training opportunities in priority sectors including tourism, ICT, and agri-business. Through enhanced employer engagement, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approaches, strengthened career guidance, and improved transition-to-work mechanisms, the initiative seeks to make TVET more relevant, accessible, and employment-oriented while contributing to Jordan’s broader economic modernization and social inclusion agenda.

The Project Manager will work under the direct supervision of the ILO Jordan Country Coordinator, in close collaboration with UNESCO counterparts, and will receive technical guidance, support and collaboration from the ILO Skills and Employability Specialist of the Decent Work Team (DWT) for Arab States, as well as other relevant technical specialists in DWT and at HQ. The Project Manager will oversee the work of national officers and administrative and other support staff of the Project/Programme as well as any other international or local consultant hired during the course of the project.

The commencement of this position will be subject to funding availability.

Description of Duties

Project management:

1. Ensure effective implementation of the Project/Programme through: the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. The project implementation must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and the Decent Work Country Programme, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the responsible Field Office, if applicable.

2. Responsible for the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the project.

3. Manage the human resources of the project/programme efficiently, including recruitment and performance management.

Technical leadership and advice:

4. Provide technical advice to relevant governments, ministries, workers’ and employers’ organisations, and other key partners, in close collaboration with the Jordan Country Coordinator.

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

5. Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with governments, ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of project /programme activities.

6. Liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO social justice mandate and decent wok agenda, International Labour Standards, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO's interventions.

7.  Provide ILO evidence based technical guidance in the related technical areas of the project/programme. Promote the inclusion of gender equality diversity inclusion (GEDI) and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

Mobilization of resources:

8. Undertake local resource mobilization activities with the multi- and bi-lateral donors, philanthropies, and the private sector for the development of future activities linked to the project/programme in coordination with the Country Coordinator.

Knowledge management:

9. Document systematically the process and results of project implementation; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports, in collaboration with UNESCO and the relevant specialists, on the implementation status; and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programs.

10. Write and disseminate information through project/programme promotional materials in close collaboration with relevant technical specialists.

11. Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for tripartite partners, other agencies and NGOs, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce their individual and institutional capabilities.

12. Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics, education and TVET, development studies or other relevant fields.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of professional experience in TVET reform and skills development interventions, including at international level.

Familiarity with International Labour Standards relevant to skills development and employability would be considered an asset.

Direct experience working with ILO policies and procedures, experience working with officials of ministries of labour and/or education would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of written and oral English; working knowledge of Arabic would be considered an advantage.

Competencies

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy and procedural matters, and to present them at high-level meetings.
• Ability to understand and promote competency-based, blended, and learner-centred approaches to inclusive training, including work-based learning, within a lifelong learning framework.
• Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments and social partners, and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.