Vacancy no.: CAIRO/DC/G/2025/09
Publication date: 19 September 2025
Application deadline (midnight Cairo local time): 2 October 2025
Job ID: 13291
Department: RO-Africa
Organization Unit: DWT/CO-Cairo
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: 12 months
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.
Development 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. Extensions of development 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.
Introduction
The position is located in the EU-funded Mainstreaming Employment into Trade and Investment (METI), Phase II project (www.ilo.org/meti) in Cairo, which is part of the of the Investment, Sectoral Strategies and Transitions (IST) Team of the Employment in Investment (EMPINVEST) branch of the Employment, Policy, Jobs Creation and Livelihoods Department. EMPINVEST mainstreams employment and decent work into investments, trade and sectoral strategies from policies to the operational programmatic level. A major work area of the IST team is the promotion of employment considerations into trade, investment, industrial and general sector policies.
The METI phase II project builds on the foundational analysis and studies carried out under phase I but focusses on the implementation of the derived recommendations. The overall objective of METI II is to design and implement trade and investment policies and measures that optimise the quantity and quality of employment created, in particular for women and youth, and MSMEs.
The National Project Officer (NPO) will coordinate the implementation of the METI project in Egypt and support the overall project management, in particular with its monitoring and evaluation activities.
The incumbent will provide comprehensive and professional services for the efficient, effective, and client-oriented delivery and administration of METIโs programming activities. These services cover development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of interventions in of the area of entrepreneurship, business development services, market systems development, decent work, skilling of workers, and activities related to regional integration. The NPO will also coordinate the rigorous impact evaluation of selected interventions in Egypt. The incumbent will facilitate the identification of training needs of national stakeholders and design and conduct respective training workshops. On regional level, the incumbent will contribute to the development and execution of knowledge-sharing workshops for policymakers.
The work will be governed by established rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines. The incumbent will apply and play a key role in promoting the principles of results-based management (RBM) and support the project manager in general monitoring and evaluation exercises of the project on both national and regional level.
The NPO will provide technical support to the implementing partners, coordinate, and collaborate with other actors. The incumbent will monitor, track and compile data on beneficiaries, including those targeted by implementing partners, and will develop and update project progress records. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas.
The incumbent will be based in the CO-Cairo and will work in close collaboration with other members of the METI team and ILO staff members in the Country Office. If required, the NPO will travel to the target provinces and municipalities for implementation of activities and close monitoring.
Reporting lines
Under the overall responsibility of the ILO Country Director for Egypt, the NPO will directly report to the Project Manager located in the DWT/CO-Cairo. The incumbent might also receive additional technical support from relevant DWT specialists, HQ branches and departments, and ILO-ROAF as required.
Description of Duties
Support the timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities in Egypt through management functions in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan. Develop and implement interventions in of the area of entrepreneurship, business development services, market systems development, decent work, skilling of workers, and activities related to regional integration, under the guidance of the Project Manager and aligned to the overall project approach. Identify problems in the project implementation, propose solutions and action and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets. Support the assessment of training needs and the organisation of targeted national and regional training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding of the projectโs intervention logic, including on fundamental principles and rights at work. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on fundamental rights at work. Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations in the planning and implementation of activities under the project. Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical activities under the project, including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project. Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in Cairo, and other colleagues in the field and HQ, on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions. Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all projectโs components according to the projectโs document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor. Ensure high-level communications to increase projectโs visibility at the national and regional levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with the UN country team, and other key stakeholders, to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance of the respective communications department, maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole. Contribute proposals for project development and draft portions of programme and budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, country strategy papers, objectives and project reviews and evaluation. Monitor progress of ILO programmes, projects and activities, by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project. Other related duties as assigned.Required qualifications
Education
First level university degree in economics, social sciences, or related field, and strong knowledge on development issues particularly in Egypt.
Experience
At least three years of experience in project planning, administration, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation of grant/cooperative agreement requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to the project donor).
Technical requirements: Good knowledge of issues related to labour markets, economic development, market systems. Knowledge of value chain development, the nexus between trade, investment and employment, as well as knowledge of impact evaluations would be an asset.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic. Knowledge of another official language of the Organization (in particular French) would be an asset.
Knowledge and Competencies (technical and behavioural)
In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:
โข Good knowledge about political, social and economic development, including labour and employment trends in Egypt
โข Solid knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts.
โข Knowledge of programming cycles (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
โข Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
โข Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
โข Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workersโ and employersโ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
โข Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical reports in English.
โข Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
โข Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
โข Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
โข Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
โข Ability to train and guide personnel.
โข Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
โข Ability to work in diversified environments.
โข Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
โข Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
โข Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
We at the ILO are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, gender, religion, or disability, and are dedicated to promoting disability inclusion across all our practices and policies.
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.
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.
Disclaimer:
The contract and its continuity is subject to the availibility of funds. Only those candidates that are short-listed for assessment will be contacted. Candidates who pass the interview and have good capabilities as may be recommended by the panel, may get selected for similar positions. The Office reserves to itself the right to appoint candidates at a level below the level of the advertised post depending on their experience. Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable for this position can also be offered to be assigned on a TEMPORARY position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position.