Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/P/2025/17
Publication date: 11 November 2025
Application deadline (midnight local time): 26 November 2025
Job ID: 13371
Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Location: Beirut
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: Two years as of January 2026
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 two-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 ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crises, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.
A second phase of the partnership started in 2024 and will last until end 2027, building on strategic areas of intervention and maximizing impact from phase one. In the Arab States, PROSPECTS operates in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.
In Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, the ILO is launching multiple interventions across the programme’s three pillars, guided by emerging priorities of the social partners and needs of the beneficiaries. In parallel, the latest political and economic developments in Syria are shaping new dynamics in Lebanon and the region at large and creating real prospects for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their country. In this context, the ILO is engaged in developing several new initiatives to promote durable solutions for Syrian refugees, including under the PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund and a complementary new EU-funded programme, under which it is joining forces with UNHCR and IOM.
Within the framework of the PROSPECTS partnership in the Arab States region, ILO’s focus is on contributing to rebuilding livelihoods, strengthening labour market institutions, enhancing skills systems, and revitalizing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Syria and in the host countries. They are implemented in close coordination to ensure a coherent, cross-border approach to return and reintegration, aligned with the ILO’s Programme of Support for Syria and its broader mandate to promote decent work, social justice, and inclusive recovery.
Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the programme, the Technical Specialist, based in Beirut, will be responsible for providing direct technical support to the programmes activities related to enterprise development, with focus on entrepreneurship and access to finance in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon and contribute to the expected outcomes, in consultation with the DWT to ensure alignment with the regional priorities and in coordination with national counterparts, partners, and the UN Country Team.. The incumbent will promote ILO approaches and policies in the programme’ related technical areas and other components of the Decent Work Agenda.
Reporting lines:
The incumbent will report to the Regional Chief Technical Adviser of PROSPECTS responsible for the project implementation and will receive technical guidance and backstopping support from the DWT Beirut Enterprise Specialist as well as from the concerned colleagues in the MSMEs Branch and the Social Finance and Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy Units in the ENTERPRISES department. He/she will work closely with other technical specialists in the DWT and in HQ.
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, business administration, finance, development studies, or another relevant field.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the above fields, combined with two additional years of relevant experience, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
At least seven years of relevant professional experience, including at the international level, in the fields of enterprise development, entrepreneurship promotion, access to finance, or financial inclusion.
Proven experience in designing and implementing technical cooperation projects related to MSME development, financial systems strengthening, inclusive finance, market systems development or private sector engagement in development settings.
Experience working in fragile, crisis, or displacement contexts—particularly in the Arab States region—would be a strong advantage.
Familiarity with ILO policies, procedures, and programming approaches, including work with ministries of labour, economic development, or financial institutions, would be an asset.
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.
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.