Job Description
Project Manager P4

 

Grade: P4 

Vacancy no.: DC/INWORK/P/2025/04
Publication date: 23 December 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 19 january 2026

 

Job ID: 13452 
Department: WORKQUALITY 
Organization Unit: INWORK 
Location: Geneva   
Contract type: Fixed Term 

Contract duration: 12 months 


 

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

 

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

 

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

 

The following are eligible to apply:

  • ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
  • External candidates.

 

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Introduction

The position is located in the Inclusive Labour Markets, Wages and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) within the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY). WORKQUALITY leads the ILO’s efforts to promote quality employment and equality for all in the world of work. The Department’s ambition is that all workers, women and men alike, benefit from decent working conditions, fair treatment and inclusive labour protection. To achieve this, WORKQUALITY supports the strengthening of labour market institutions and the effective implementation of inclusive policies that uphold workers’ rights and foster equal opportunities. The Department is composed of: the Inclusive Labour Markets, Wages and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) supporting fair wages, sound working conditions and inclusive labour markets policies; Labour Migration Branch (MIGRANT) promoting fair and rights-based labour migration governance and protection of migrant workers; as well as Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) advancing gender equality and inclusion of all workers.

 

INWORK provides technical assistance to constituents and expands the knowledge base on wages and labour incomes, working time, work organisation, contractual arrangements and employment protection, the transition to formality for workers in informal employment, the protection workers’ data and workers at risk of being excluded from labour protection, taking into account the needs of workers and their families as well as economic factors. INWORK also leads two transversal policy areas in the Office: decent work in the platform economy and decent work for domestic workers. To carry out its mandate, INWORK undertakes high quality research and, upon request, provides evidence-based policy advice which is responsive to national needs, priorities and resource.

cont./

The position is covered by a DC Project “Setting adequate wages: a focus on agriculture” (GLO/23/30/DEU) implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and financed by Government of the Federal Republic of Germany represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project promotes the setting of adequate wages in agriculture through statutory minimum wages and/or collective bargaining as a means to enable decent living standards for workers and their families, while at the same time ensuring the sustainability of enterprises which create the jobs for these workers. As many workers in agriculture are independent workers, the project also seeks to explore how interventions on different economic factors, including measures to increase productivity, might be combined to raise their labour incomes. The project engages with existing living wage initiatives, inviting them to take into account evidence on both needs of workers and their families and economic factors. It also undertakes research on the question of living income and explores what the concept of a living income could mean for self-employed workers, like smallholder farmers, who do not earn a wage, but seek to cover their needs by selling their goods and services on the market. The project management is centralised in ILO HQ with field operations in three countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Colombia).

 

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the “Setting Adequate Wages: a focus on agriculture (SAW-A)” project, the Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the programme implementation and provide technical advisory services towards the development and execution of future programs to be developed in the Project sector. He/she will ensure that the objectives stated in the project document are attained within the stated time frame and budget, and ensure compliance with the ILO and the Project's financial and operating procedures. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

 

Reporting lines: The Project Manager will report to the Senior Economist, Wage Specialist, who himself reports directly to the ILO responsible official, who is the Chief of INWORK Branch. The Senior economist will supervise the project, approve workplans and budgets, monitor progress and activities, provide technical guidance to the Project Manager, and – if needed - help to resolve conflicts or disagreements that may arise. 

The Project Manager may also oversee the work of administrative and other support staff of the Project/Programme, national officers and any other international or local consultant hired during the course of the project.

Description of Duties

Project management:

  • Ensure effective implementation of the Project through: the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Deliveries and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the responsible Field Office, if applicable. This includes the preparation of all the reports for the duration of the activity, including annual plans, the inception report, and the narrative reports, as well as ensuring the preparation of the financial reports as per the schedule of the Agreement. It also includes identifying possible risks and challenges that could prevent the project objectives from being reached and identifying alternative strategies to tackle these challenges. 
  • Responsible for the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the project. More specifically, prepare the budgets in conformity with ILO administrative and financial procedures, monitor budget delivery, prepare requests for the second, third and fourth payment from the donor as per the payment schedule established in the signed Arrangement 
  • Manage the human resources of the project efficiently, including recruitment and performance management. More specifically, supervise the work of the Administrative Assistant (30%) and provide guidance to the national officers hired by the project at country level. Prepare terms-of-references for consultants and partners to implement global or regional activities in line with the project document and oversee the quality of their work.

Technical leadership and advice:

  • Provide technical advice and secretariat support to relevant governments, ministries and other key partners, in close collaboration with the Responsible Chief. 

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

  • 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. Facilitate/organise exchanges of experiences between countries and regions. Provide policy advice and undertake consultations through missions at national level, in collaboration with national officers and field specialists. 
  • Liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO's interventions. 
  • Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project/programme, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards, in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

optional section (if needed)

Mobilization of resources:

  • Undertake local resource mobilization activities with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the development of future activities linked to the project/programme in coordination with the responsible Country Office and PARDEV. Maintain a regular exchange of information and a good relationship with the donor and its partners, and engage in local resource mobilisation efforts with a view to expand the donor base of the project with a view to transforming the project into a multi-donor effort.

Knowledge management:

  • Write and disseminate information on project/programme materials in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists at HQ.  Oversee the development of a dissemination strategy for the project and its publications through the ILO website, a specific webpage dedicated to the project, a communication plan with the ILO Department of Communication and Public Information (DCOMM), and through possible forthcoming editions of the Global Wage Report. Participate in national, regional and/or global meetings, workshops, seminars or training activities to disseminate products and lessons learned from the project. 
  • Ensure the development of information databases covering project/programme activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programs. Carry out and/or commission research on indicators of the needs of workers and their families and economic factors for wage setting, and for contributing to a better understanding of living wages and living incomes. Contribute, in collaboration with other members of the Branch, to the development of integrated approaches and policies aiming to foster the setting of adequate wage and progressing toward living wage. 
  • Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.
  • Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics or another relevant field.

 

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field 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 relevant professional experience, including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of one working language of the Office (English, French or Spanish), and good working knowledge of another.

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 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.Ability to: focus on results, synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; 
  • Ability to provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; formulate new concepts and methodologies; 
  • Ability to design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; 
  • Ability to produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and ILC, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects.

 

Conditions of employment

  • Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
  • Any extension of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

 

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

 

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

 

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse. 
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

 

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.