Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote social justice and fair labor practices. Established in 1919, the ILO has a mission to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The organization operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 3,300 employees. The ILO is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce, welcoming applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, disability, or other factors.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer position is based in the ILO Office for Japan (ILO-Tokyo) and is primarily responsible for supporting the implementation of two key projects aimed at fostering responsible business conduct and decent work in value chains. The incumbent will play a crucial role in coordinating with various stakeholders, including government ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, and financial institutions, to ensure the effective execution of project activities. The role requires a strong understanding of the ILO's mandate and the ability to engage with diverse partners to promote sustainable business practices. The incumbent will also be responsible for drafting reports, proposals, and communication materials, as well as providing training and capacity-building initiatives. This position is expected to allocate approximately 50% of the time to each project, ensuring that both initiatives are aligned with the ILO's objectives and the needs of its constituents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support project managers in expediting project implementation and liaise with relevant counterparts from government departments, trade unions, business and employers’ organizations, industrial associations, financial institutions, research entities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to support program implementation as necessary.
• Ensure effective management including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Projects’ activities in accordance with the policies, program strategies, program guidelines, administrative and financial procedures of the ILO.
• Assist project managers in program-related work such as drafting briefing documents, concept notes, reports, terms of reference, and supporting project evaluations.
• Draft technical progress reports and other ad hoc reports in coordination with colleagues in the target countries.
• Draft proposals and project documents in consultation with relevant headquarters units, country offices, and internal colleagues for new funding.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver a range of training, awareness-raising, and capacity-building initiatives, including with external collaborators and implementing partners.
• Provide interpretation and translation in English and Japanese as required for the program and the donor, ensuring the quality of translations undertaken by external service providers.
• Monitor the quality of deliverables by external partners and provide regular feedback to the service provider.
• Contribute to disseminating the activities and learnings from project activities through preparing communication materials and briefings for external audiences, including media. 1
• Collaborate with colleagues in the ILO Office for Tokyo and technical specialists from relevant ILO branches. 1
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the project managers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in fields such as laws, economics, public policies, development studies, or a relevant area. An advanced degree in labor standards, corporate social responsibility, economics, trade and investment, or skills enterprise development would be considered a strong advantage. Candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of the ILO's principles and procedures, particularly in relation to labor standards and corporate social responsibility.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree in relevant fields such as laws, economics, public policies, or development studies. An advanced degree in related areas, particularly those focusing on labor standards and corporate social responsibility, is highly desirable and would significantly enhance a candidate's profile.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of professional work experience in program and/or project planning, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation activities is required. Experience in labor standards, corporate social responsibility, economics, trade and investment, and skills enterprise development, particularly in technical cooperation projects, is advantageous. Familiarity with ILO principles and procedures, as well as experience working with ILO constituents and international organizations, is also beneficial.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of written and verbal Japanese and English. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication and reporting within the role. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is a short-term contract with a duration of 10 months. The recruitment process is open to both internal and external candidates, with specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria applicable for external candidates. The ILO emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities. The appointment of an external candidate will typically be made at the first step of the grade, and the position does not carry an expectation of renewal or conversion to a permanent role within the organization. Candidates are advised that the ILO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.