Project Manager Forced Displacement and Durable Solutions

Grade: P4

Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/P/2025/13

Publication date: 18 July 2025

Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 04 August 2025

Job ID: 13151

Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut

Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut

Location: Beirut

Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: Two years, subject to availability of funds, Expected start date: 01 September 2025

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 one-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 .

Introduction

Since 2011, with the onset of the Syria crisis, the ILO has played a critical role in supporting countries hosting Syrian refugees, including Lebanon, to address the labour market impacts of large-scale displacement, strengthen resilience, and prevent the erosion of labour standards. Through several complementary development cooperation (DC) projects, ILO’s response to forced displacement in Lebanon has focused on enhancing resilience of the crisis-distress labour market and creating better livelihoods and employment opportunities for both Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees. It has been doing so by promoting the development of market relevant skills; enhancing employment placement services and labour market governance, and promoting micro, small and medium sized enterprises, as well as sectors with potential for decent job creation; and strengthening social protection schemes.

As of early 2025, the ILO has been expanding its efforts in Lebanon to work on systems strengthening and adapting its direct interventions on the ground to be aligned with the reform agenda of the new Government, priorities of its social partners, and evolving 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 response, the ILO is engaged in developing several new initiatives in Lebanon and Syria to promote durable solutions, including through enhancing access to decent work for refugees and returnees. Two key Durable Solutions initiatives proposed are under the Opportunity Fund of the Netherlands-funded PROSPECTS Partnership, implemented by ILO, IFC, UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank response to forced displacement; and a new EU-funded programme, to be jointly implemented with UNHCR and IOM.

The EU-funded joint programme supports voluntary returns and inclusive recovery in Syria, while helping Lebanon manage return dynamics and strengthen labour governance. Within this framework, the ILO leads on labour market and decent work components, with tailored interventions in each country. In Lebanon, the ILO supports efforts to reduce informality, address skills mismatches, and expand access to decent work, while supporting strengthening labour market governance. In Syria, the focus is on labour market governance, skills development and active labour market interventions to support the reintegration of returnees and vulnerable groups.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Project Manager will be responsible for the EU-funded programme, overseeing the day-to-day implementation of ILO interventions in Lebanon and Syria, while providing technical guidance for future programming. S/he will also be responsible for managing the project team, comprising both international and national staff, as well as any international and local consultants engaged in the programme. For the Syria component of the programme, the Project Manager will be closely coordinating with the Syria Country Coordinator.

Reporting lines: The Project Manager will be based in the ILO Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) and will report to the Regional Chief Technical Adviser for PROSPECTS and related DC programmes on Displaced Persons and Durable Solutions. The Project Manager will also benefit from technical backstopping provided by the relevant specialists within the Decent Work Team in ROAS and HQ. S/He will also closely liaise with the ILO Syria Country Coordinator on all durable solutions interventions inside Syria.

Description of Duties

Project management:

Ensure effective implementation of the Project through the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Deliveries and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the responsible Field Office, if applicable.

Responsible for the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the project.

Manage the human resources of the project efficiently, including recruitment and performance management.

Technical leadership and advice:

Provide technical advice and secretariat support to relevant governments, ministries and other key partners, in close collaboration with the Responsible Chief.

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with governments, ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of project activities.

Liaise with UNHCR and IOM and other UN counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO's interventions.

Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards, in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

Mobilization of resources:

Undertake local resource mobilization activities with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the development of future activities linked to the project in coordination with the responsible Country Office and PARTNERSHIPS.

Knowledge management:

Write and disseminate information on project materials in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists at HQ.

Ensure the development of information databases covering project activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programs.

Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

Produce policy briefs, lessons learned, and synthesis reports based on project outcomes to inform ILO programming and partner strategies.

Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics, development studies, social sciences, management, or a 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 required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant professional experience, including at the international level, in all aspects of project cycle: design, management, coordination, and implementation of large and complex development cooperation projects in the areas of labour market, forced displacement, skills development or employment-related programmes. Proven experience with the ILO or a UN agency is an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Arabic will be an advantage.

Competencies

Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.

Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.

Strong policy advocacy and capacity to promote decent work and inclusive labour market policies.

Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy and procedural matters, and to present them at high-level meetings.

Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.

Ability to develop training materials, draft project proposals and procedural documents, and effectively present them in high-level and inter-agency forums.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments and social partners, and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.

Ability to plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.

Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.

Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

optional section (if needed)

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.