Development Cooperation Officer

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Vacancy no.: TEMP/DCSU/P/2025/01
Publication date: 7 January 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 20 January 2025

Job ID: 12647
Department: PARTNERSHIPS
Organization Unit: DCSU
Location: Geneva
Contract type: Temporary mobility assignment

This is a temporary assignment with a duration of 6 months.

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. The Office will facilitate the temporary re-assignment of a selected internal candidate to this position.
• External candidates.

Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stage.

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.

*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.

The temporary position is located in the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department (PARTNERSHIPS). PARTNERSHIPS is responsible for establishing, developing, and maintaining strategic partnerships to contribute to Social Justice in close interaction with other ILO portfolios at ILO headquarters and with the Regions. The Department is responsible for developing the ILO’s strategy for development cooperation and contributes to consultations and negotiations with development partners and groupings for the promotion of greater policy coherence around social justice and decent work. PARTNERSHIPS leads consultations and negotiations with development cooperation partners and is responsible for mobilizing voluntary contributions for the ILO’s programme, as well as coordinating technical and financial reporting to partners. PARTNERSHIPS facilitates streamlining of work processes and procedures and provides assistance to enhance service delivery in the regions.

PARTNERSHIPS comprises: The UN, International Financial Institutions, Economic Organizations and Civil Society (UNIFICS) Branch; the Development Cooperation Support Unit (DCSU); the Development Partner Relations Unit (DPRU); and the Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit (ESPU). In addition, two separate positions with direct reporting to the Director oversee and coordinate the ILO’s support to the Second World Summit for Social Development and Public-Private Partnerships respectively.

DCSU deals with development cooperation policies and Office-wide business processes related to partnerships and project cycle management, and their alignment with policies and standards of the United Nations in areas such as social and environmental sustainability. The Unit supports the design of development cooperation programmes and project proposals, and coordinates the appraisal of the proposals. The Unit supports the reporting on data and results regarding ILO’s development cooperation portfolio and ensures internal and external communication on development cooperation and partnerships. The Unit delivers staff training and facilitates knowledge sharing on development cooperation. By delivering cross-departmental services, the Unit also supports the management of the Department.

• Responsible for the coordination of the appraisals of development cooperation programmes/projects proposals against established quality and compliance criteria. Participate in and support the further development of PARTNERSHIPS’ appraisal mechanism. Participate in the quality assurance mechanism of DWCPs and RBSA proposals.
• Provide support to ILO staff at HQ and in the Regions on the design of development cooperation project and programme proposals, through the Design help desk and the development of tools.
• Contribute to the drafting and review of policies, procedures and guidelines on development cooperation.
• Initiate and contribute to communication and knowledge sharing strategies and their implementation related to ILO results, lessons to be learned and news in development cooperation and partnerships related to Development Cooperation and Partnerships for internal and external audiences including through the ILO’s development cooperation community, websites and social media.
• Participate in the development and delivery of the ILO staff development activities in collaboration with the Turin Centre and HRD.
• Prepare briefings and information notes for management on issues that are considered important for programme/project development, implementation and decision making. Contribute to the development of Governing Body and other strategy documents and reports, and their follow-up.
• Carry out any other job-related duties as may be required by the management.

University degree in economics, development economics, international relations, social sciences or another relevant field. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields 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. Knowledge of project management is required. Knowledge of statistical and quantitative methods would be beneficial.

At least five years of professional experience in international cooperation and project cycle management, in particular in areas such as design, formulation, management or evaluation of development cooperation programmes and projects and the use of results-based management methods. In-country experience in a development cooperation project would be an asset.

Proficiency in English and proven English drafting skills. Good working knowledge of either French or Spanish.

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

Technical

Solid knowledge of Results-Based Management principles and project cycle management and ability to develop and draft methodological materials, guidelines and training materials, and to present them at various meetings and workshops; ability to develop and support the development of project proposals; ability to appraise development cooperation proposals and to synthesise and design strategies for programme development and good knowledge of the programmes and operations of the ILO; ability to carry out analysis of trends and statistics on development cooperation and to address broader issues of development and development cooperation policy; ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques; ability to draft in English high quality and technically sound reports; proficiency in using applications software, including presentations, spreadsheet, word processing, data base and project management tools.

Behavioural

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to work on own initiative as well as a member team and ability to deal with people with diplomacy; ability to conceptualize, plan and organize work and to provide guidance to other staff members; ability to take action, accomplish objectives, take initiatives and suggest alternative course of action; ability to resolve complex problems; ability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators and young professionals; excellent time management skills and ability to participate effectively in training activities and meetings.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO People and open the ILO Jobs module from the home page menu. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the week 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 Microsoft Teams, e-mail, etc for the evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including 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.