Medical Adviser

Grade: P5

Vacancy no.: RAPS/2/2024/HRD/02
Publication date: 6th May 2024
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 6th June 2024

Job ID: 11942
Department: HRD
Organization Unit: MEDSERV
Location: Geneva
Contract type: Fixed Term

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply.

Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.

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

The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers' and business membership organizations, and workers' organizations).

Applicants 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

In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.

Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.

The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, candidates applying for the professional category vacancies who have not already successfully completed their probationary period within the ILO and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed they may be required to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.

This position is located in the ILO Medical Service (MEDSERV) within the Human Resources Development Department (HRD). Under the ADG/CS portfolio, HRD is the central authority on human resource matters in the ILO. The Department seeks to align the Offices' human resources capacity with the strategic objectives of the Organization to ensure that it can carry out its mission effectively.

MEDSERV provides services to promote, protect and safeguard the physical and mental health in the workplace. MEDSERV provides preventive medical and psychosocial care, first aid and emergency care for staff and advises on staff insurance and disability matters.

The position manages the Medical Service and the Staff Welfare Office and is responsible for ensuring that services are provided in an optimal, confidential, caring and cost-effective manner. The incumbent advises management on measures to ensure a safe and healthy work environment across the ILO through the development and implementation of efficient physical and mental health policies and programmes.

The position reports to the Director of HRD.

1. Supervise all the activities of MEDSERV including: psychosocial support (stress management for cumulative and critical incident stress) and counselling, medical examinations, consultations, treatment of episodic ailments, first aid and emergency treatment, first aid training, preparation for duty travel and deployment, immunization programmes, investigations of occupational accidents and diseases, and other medical aspects related to occupational safety and health, health promotion activities and medico-administrative functions.

2. Provide support to HRD staff and other statutory bodies on matters requiring medical advice or clearance (entry/exit medical examinations, sick leave monitoring, invalidity, compensation for service incurred accidents, pension entitlements, medical evacuation, etc). Act as Adviser to the ILO Staff Pension Committee and the Compensation Claims Committee

3. Manage the inventory and maintenance of medical equipment, supplies, the maintenance of medical records and associated databases.

4. Ensure the effective management of all financial, human and other resources of MEDSERV 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.

5. Prepare surveys, statistics and reports on staff health and work environment related issues for HRD and identify the need to develop, implement and monitor health policies, standards and guidelines in consultation with HRD to protect and promote staff health.

6. Represent the Organization on medical boards and at UN inter-agency level. Support field offices with staff medical issues concerning staff, evaluate medical facilities and provide advice to physicians in field duty stations, as required.

7. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

A Medical Degree. A board-certified specialization in a medical field (e.g. internal medicine, occupational health, or other).

At least 10 years of clinical experience in general or internal medicine, some of which in an international context, either in private practice or in a hospital or institutional setting (including in an organisation or an enterprise). Must not have interrupted medical practice for more than one year.

Excellent command of one working language (English, French, Spanish) of the Organization and a working knowledge of another working language. Knowledge of a third working language would be an advantage

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

Training in medicine. Ability to interact with medical personnel in countries and with staff. Analytical skills and ability to make timely and appropriate decisions in any

medical situation. Excellent inter-personal and spoken and written communication skills. A high degree of tact, diplomacy and discretion and proven ability to maintain confidentiality Time management skills and the ability to plan and execute assigned duties. Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office. The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.

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.
• The first contract will be issued for a twenty-four month period.
• A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment.
• Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Important Information

Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at

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.

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 Skype, 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.

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 - - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.