Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/2025/23
Publication date: 28 November 2025
Application deadline (midnight local time): 12 December 2025
Job ID: 13389
Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Location: Erbil
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: One year
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 above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.
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 recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.
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.
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.
*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade. The entry level salary for this position is 45742 (USD) yearly.
In March 2023, Iraq ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 102 on Minimum Standards of Social Security and in November 2023 the Federal Government enacted Law No. 18 of 2023 on Retirement and Social Security for workers in the private sector. The new law replaces the previous Retirement and Social Security Law No. 39 of 1971, which had been in effect in Iraq for five decades and expands the legal purview of the social security system to ensure comprehensive coverage for all workers, including those in the informal economy, the self-employed, and contributing family workers. Additionally, the law introduces new entitlements such as maternity and unemployment benefits. A similar law was drafted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and is awaiting to be reviewed by the Parliament. In the meanwhile only Law No. 39 of 1971 and an amendment to it, Law No. 4, that was passed in 2012 define private social security in KRI. Despite delays in updating the legal framework in KRI, the region is leading effective private social security enrolment across Iraq. The latter has increased from 11 per cent of the private sector workforce in 2021 to almost 20 per cent in 2024.
The ILO has been supporting the process through the EU funded UN joint project on Social Protection: Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform. It aims at supporting the Government of Iraq to catalyse more effective social protection response in the short-term and to support Iraq to accelerate social protection reform in the medium- and longer-term. The project in KRI includes capacity development interventions with the Social Security Administration with a significant digitalisation component, implementing an awareness raising campaign to increase access and enrolment and support for a new Labour Force Survey and a Labour Market Information System.
Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the national project coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day effective management of the project’s activities including the implementation of the project and realization its outputs at the national level by promoting the work of the ILO and ensuring the synergy in the work with the UN project partner agencies.
Reporting lines:
The National Project Officer will be based in Erbil and will work in close collaboration with ILO’s Iraq Country Coordinator, under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) in charge of the project, and the overall technical guidance of the regional Social Protection Specialist.
The incumbent will be responsible for the day to day coordination and management of the project activities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and will liaise with the project’s partners (government, employer’s and worker’s representatives) among others, to ensure the timely delivery of activities according to the project’s work plan.
First level University degree in economics, public law, public administration, social sciences, development studies or a related field.
At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the field of social protection and social policy.
Technical requirements: Good knowledge and experience in automating public services through digital solutions or reviewing labour statistics will be considered as an advantage.
Demonstrated experience in supporting social security and/or social protection reforms would be an advantage.
Excellent command of English and Kurdish. Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.
Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position: Customer Orientation, Communications, Collaboration
Technical competencies
Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies and to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research. Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation. Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation. Good analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques. Good computer skills. Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise. Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation. Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required. Proven ability to take ownership of 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 and design training material. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders. Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.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.
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.
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.