Specialist in Workers' Activities

Vacancy no.: CALL/P/2026/4
Publication date: 26 March 2026
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 27 April 2026

Job ID: 13586
Department: ACTRAV
Organization Unit: ACTRAV
Location: Addis Ababa
Contract type: Fixed Term

The ILO is issuing a call for expression of interest for the above position. The selection process is not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.

The following are eligible to apply:
• 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. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Applications from qualified candidates 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

Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.
Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, and for the Special Representative to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa (CO-Addis Ababa) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The CO-Addis Ababa provides high quality, timely and integrated technical support in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) within the framework of outcome-based work plans. The Bureau for Workers Activities (ACTRAV) specialists are part of global teams with a presence at both ILO headquarters and in the regions. Worker specialists are integral members of Regional Offices, Decent Work Technical Support Teams and Country Offices, and the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO).
The Specialist in Workers’ Activities is responsible for providing technical advisory services in the field of workers’ activities in the sub-region and assisting workers’ organizations in their efforts to provide their members with new/improved services, thus extending their representation and their capacity to become strong, relevant, independent and representative organizations, able to fulfil their roles and responsibilities in the promotion of workers’ interests, in line with the principles of ILO standards. The incumbent keeps the ILO informed of concerns, interests and perspectives of workers’ organizations and keeps the workers’ organizations informed of the work of the ILO, as well as promoting their participation in tripartite and/or bipartite initiatives in line with the 2002 International Labour Conference Resolution concerning tripartism and social dialogue.
The Specialist is responsible for encouraging the involvement and active participation of workers and their organizations in all ILO activities while ensuring that ILO projects and programmes address the needs of workers and their organizations. The Specialist in Workers’ Activities advises and assists on technical questions concerning development cooperation projects including project formulation, technical backstopping and evaluation. The Specialist also advises and assists trade unions in policy discussions with government and employers’ organizations regarding ILO matters (ratification and application of ILO instruments; formulation and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP); regional cooperation, the UN Reform process, particularly the Cooperation Framework and the role of trade unions, etc.).
The incumbent has double reporting responsibilities, reporting to the Director of the Bureau for Workers Activities (ACTRAV), through the ACTRAV Regional Desk Officer at ILO headquarters, for policy, technical and operational aspects and to the Director of CO-Addis Ababa for administrative matters.
The Specialist works in collaboration with the other specialists in the DWT/CO teams, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the country and regional levels.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. As primary specialist in the area of workers’ activities, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities for assisting workers’ organizations in their efforts to provide their members with new/improved services and influence employment and other macroeconomic policies, develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at subregional and national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, taking into account the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and ensure the effective management of staff and consultants in accordance with ILO standards, the results-based management framework and through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and other feedback mechanisms, as applicable.
2. Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide expert policy and technical advice in the area of economic and social policy to workers organizations with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.
3. Support workers organizations in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of workers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects.
4. Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Participate in multidisciplinary initiatives, efforts, developments, plans, reviews and activities with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.
5. Initiate, design, conduct/commission and/or coordinate innovative and gender-mainstreamed research and analysis that meets the evolving needs of constituents and other key stakeholders in the world of work and leads to the formulation of research and knowledge sharing activities aimed at enhancing awareness and understanding of the changing and evolving world of work and shaping measures that address decent work and social justice.
6. Develop and lead/coordinate the development of policies, initiatives, strategies and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents’ needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the regional and country levels and provide advice and technical support to workers organizations on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.
7. Provide technical inputs to, oversee the drafting of/draft, peer review and edit reports, publications and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.

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8. Support the strengthening of workers organizations' capacity to design and implement policies and measures, monitor their impact and refine and improve them as required and build the capacities of unions in the area of labour, social and economic issues, union organizational development and inclusive structures. Contribute to policy advice and training to increase trade union capacity to influence economic and sustainable development policies in social dialogue mechanisms. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead and/or coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable.
9. Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships in the area of workers and their organizations and related areas and develop new or reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners/entities of the UN system, other international organizations, regional and national actors, private institutions, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, research institutions, academia, civil society and other key stakeholders with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives and ensuring policy coherence, joint programme design and implementation, promoting awareness of ILO’s values and strategic objectives, resource mobilization, influencing policy and financing decisions in support of decent work objectives and workers activities.
10. Organize, facilitate and make technical contributions at seminars, conferences and other events. Represent and engage the ILO as a key player in meetings, conferences and forums at the international, regional, subregional, national and subnational levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of ACTRAV’s work in the areas of technological change, macroeconomic, employment and development policies as well as labour statistics.
11. Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account regional, subregional and national priorities on workers’ organizations and their members interests and concerns and the need to position these within relevant cooperation frameworks. Provide technical backstopping for development cooperation projects and promote and facilitate coherence and knowledge sharing among projects.
12. Play a key role in resource mobilization efforts to secure funding for new projects and activities in the field of strengthening social dialogue and the defence and promotion of workers’ rights. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, labour law, public administration, industrial relations, political science or other 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 experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of experience, including at the international level, in workers’ activities and in dealing with the issues pertaining to programmes of workers’ organizations and trade unions.

Languages

Excellent command of English and a working knowledge of French.

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of economic and social policies and trade union organizations, with the ability to plan, coordinate and guide the development and implementation of new concepts policies, techniques and procedures in response to evolving technical needs.
Good knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities and ability to address broader issues outside the field of specialization.
Ability to lead and manage individual and group assignments and to supervise those undertaking the work.
Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance on latest policy developments in the technical area.
Excellent research and analytical skills.
Excellent drafting skills.
Excellent communication skills, excellent presentation skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills. Ability to adapt communication style to diverse audiences.
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to network and build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and to create and promote synergies across the Organization and with external stakeholders.
Ability to represent the Organization and present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO's position on it to partners with a view to gaining their support to advance the desired course of action.
Ability to mobilize resources.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.

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.

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 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.

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.

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