Grade: P5
Vacancy no.: RBC/P/PARTNERSHIPS/2025/2
Publication date: 31 January 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 3 March 2025
Job ID: 12707
Department: PARTNERSHIPS
Organization Unit: DCSU
Location: Geneva
Contract type: Fixed Term
The following are eligible to apply:
Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.
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.
The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers’ and business membership organizations, and workers’ organizations).
Applicants from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States
In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.
Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.
The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, external candidates applying for the professional category vacancies and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed, they will be expected to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.
The position is located in the Development Cooperation Support Unit (DCSU) within the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department (PARTNERSHIPS). PARTNERSHIPS is responsible for establishing, developing, and maintaining strategic partnerships to contribute to Social Justice in close interaction with other ILO portfolios at ILO headquarters and with the regions. The Department is responsible for developing the ILO’s strategy for development cooperation and contributes to consultations and negotiations with development partners and groupings for the promotion of greater policy coherence around social justice and decent work. PARTNERSHIPS leads consultations and negotiations with development cooperation partners and is responsible for mobilizing voluntary contributions for the ILO’s programme, as well as coordinating technical and financial reporting to partners. PARTNERSHIPS facilitates streamlining of work processes and procedures and provides assistance to enhance service delivery in the regions.
PARTNERSHIPS comprises: the UN, International Financial Institutions, Economic Organizations and Civil Society Branch (UNIFICS); the Development Cooperation Support Unit (DCSU); the Development Partner Relations Unit (DPRU); the Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit (ESPU); and one direct report on Public-Private Partnerships.
DCSU deals with development cooperation policies and Office-wide business processes related to partnerships and project cycle management. The Unit supports the design and quality assurance of development cooperation programmes and project proposals and ensures internal and external communication on data and results regarding ILO’s development cooperation portfolio. The Unit delivers staff training and facilitates knowledge sharing in the area of development cooperation. In delivering cross-departmental services, the Unit also supports the management of the Department.
The Head of DCSU reports to the Director of PARTNERSHIPS.
1. Plan, lead, manage and coordinate the work of the DCSU, encompassing the establishment, implementation and monitoring of workplans and identifying priorities in alignment with the Strategic Plan and Programme and Budget outcomes. Ensure that staff in the Unit optimize the use of resources for the achievement of results and ensure timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF).
2. Develop, recommend and contribute to the effective management and oversight of ILO's development cooperation portfolio by mainstreaming policy recommendations, streamlining business processes, and promoting compliance with international as well as ILO standards and requirements for programme and project management, such as audit and evaluation recommendations, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policies, international transparency standards, environmental and social sustainability standards and information technology standards.
3. Prepare, coordinate and review contributions to papers and reports related to trends and strategies in development cooperation and partnerships for the Governing Body, the International Labour Conference, as well as briefs on an ad hoc basis for the Department.
4. Support the Department’s discussions and negotiations with development partners during formal review meetings and evaluations; and in donor reviews and other assessments (e.g. MOPAN). Provide strategic advice in ad hoc meetings and consultations held in Geneva and in the Regions including on international development effectiveness and global partnerships (e.g. OECD-DAC, GPEDC).
5. Ensure programmatic alignment and quality assurance of project design through the oversight of the appraisal mechanism and procedure, as well as through the design support helpdesk, tools, ILO staff development and knowledge-sharing.
6. Initiate, coordinate and leverage ILO communication efforts related to development cooperation projects, results and partnerships for internal and external audiences.
7. Ensure contributions to the ILO transparency and data coordinated by FINANCE on the ILO development cooperation portfolio for internal and external purposes (e.g. International Aid Transparency Initiative, UN, OECD-DAC) and the continuous improvement of ILO tools such as the Development Cooperation Dashboard, in close cooperation with FINANCE, PROGRAM and INFOTEC.
8. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:
1. Review, analyse and interpret economic, social and political trends in selected countries. Identify trends or developments for which further research and programme development work is required to adequately respond to growing and changing needs. Provide analysis and recommendations to senior management on development cooperation activities and formulate and set priorities.
2. Plan, organise, supervise and monitor the work of a unit providing development cooperation services. Allocate work to staff, assign staff to particular programmes, control the quality of output, and evaluate the work performed by the staff of the unit. Provide new staff with guidance and training.
3. Supervise the administrative operations for financial and personnel management of the organization's country-related programmes, as well as project development and monitoring, and approve related administrative and programme actions.
4. Establish and coordinate the consultation and cooperation processes between the Organization and the officials of other organisations, institutions, donor agencies and governments for the formulation and operation of country-related development cooperation programmes. Resolve difficulties in the achievement of programme objectives.
5. Coordinate and guide the preparation of operational plans for the implementation and evaluation of country-related programmes and projects. Control the utilisation, and propose the allocation of, the financial resources available to the country-related programme.
6. Formulate and develop conceptual approaches, policy framework for development cooperation activities. Assess and improve methods for the design and evaluation of projects. Review and approve project summaries and feasibility studies. Approve project design and the revision of project documents.
7. Mobilise resources in support of the Organization's objectives and development cooperation activities. Negotiate conditions and terms, justify financing inputs, and follow up until agreement is reached. Initiate resource mobilisation approaches for the acceptance, funding and implementation of projects and programmes.
8. Represent the unit and the Organization at inter-agency, governing body and donor and other meetings of development partners; present reports, policy documents and project proposals in the areas of competence.
9. Recommend action on personnel, budgetary and procedural matters relating to the efficient operations of the unit.
10. Maintain close relations with donor agencies and other international agencies and provide advice on policies and procedures.
Advanced university degree in economics, social science, international studies or other relevant field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
At least ten years of professional experience in the management of development cooperation activities in a senior level position, including at the international level.
Excellent command of one working language (English, French Spanish) of the Organization and a working knowledge of a second working language of the Organization.
In addition to competencies required at P4 level job specific competencies include the following: Excellent knowledge of administrative policies, procedures, practices and programmes of the Organization. Excellent knowledge of development concerns and needs in various countries. Demonstrated ability to define and resolve problems in a manner that reflects the interests of various different participants in development cooperation projects and activities, as well as those of recipients. Demonstrated ability to conduct socio-economic research and analysis and write reports. Ability to represent the organization and to provide authoritative (both policy and technical) advice and guidance. Proven ability to provide leadership and to motivate and train staff. Excellent managerial skills. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Conditions of employment
For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.
Important Information
Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.
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 assessment centres, 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
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