Vacancy no.: DC/ENTERPRISES/P/2026/01
Publication date: 21 January 2026
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 04 February 2026
Job ID: 13478
Department: ENTERPRISES
Organization Unit: MSME
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.
The position is located in the Inclusive Markets and Entrepreneurship team in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Branch of the Enterprise Department. The team focuses on developing and testing market-based solutions specifically tailored for fragile and forced displacement contexts to support the livelihoods and self-resilience of both refugees and vulnerable host communities in a sustainable and systemic manner.
The ILO’s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) has first been developed in 2014 to apply the market systems development approach to the context of fragility and forced displacement. The approach is now used in over 20 countries to develop sectors and value chains with potential and promote decent job creation for refugees and other vulnerable groups.
The main role of the position is to lead the technical backstopping and coordination of inputs of the Inclusive Markets and Entrepreneurship team to different ongoing programmes and initiatives that use AIMS to promote job creation for refugees and other vulnerable groups. This includes a newly established ADA-funded global programme on AIMS that foresees intervention streams in Kenya and Lebanon, in combination with a strong global knowledge generation and management component (launch expected in December 2025) as well as AIMS initiatives in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso where the AfDB-funded SOLEIL project (launch expected in early 2026) seeks to promote livelihoods of youth at risk in selected agri-industry and agri-food sectors, and AIMS initiatives in Jordan under the RDPP-funded ‘Manzouma’ project that conducts research and analyses of selected value chains to design strategies for refugee-inclusive growth and job creation in Jordan. The role will also support work on Entrepreneurship Ecosystem development.
This position will be located in MSME/ENTERPRISES at ILO HQ in Geneva for the duration of one year. Any extension of this position will include a transfer to relevant ILO field offices.
Note: Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.
Reporting lines: The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Technical Specialist on Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Markets and the overall guidance of the ILO Global Coordinator on Value Chains and Entrepreneurship, ILO Geneva. The work will be closely coordinated with ILO field offices and DC staff of supported projects.
Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics, business or public administration, social science or other related field with demonstrated expertise in the field of small enterprise development and of economic inclusion.
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.
At least five years of relevant professional experience in the field of market system development and/or private sector development, of which at least two years at international level . Concrete experience in project implementation in the field is an advantage.
Excellent command of English and of another ILO language (French and/or Spanish), including excellent drafting skills.
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.