About the opportunity
The International Labour Organization (ILO), under its Regional Office for Arab States, is seeking a National Project Coordinator based in Kuwait for the UN Joint Programme on Promoting Inclusive Employment and Empowerment. Financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the joint programme aims to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labor market in alignment with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. The coordinator will manage project interventions, collaborate with government bodies and social partners, provide technical assistance, and coordinate closely with participating UN agencies and national counterparts under the supervision of the ILO Kuwait Country Coordinator and technical guidance from Beirut.
Salary and benefits
- Annual entry-level salary of 27,119 KWD for external candidates appointed at the first step of grade NOA
- One-year fixed-term appointment under technical cooperation, with possibility of extension based on funding, need, and satisfactory performance
Who can apply?
- First-level university degree in human rights, public policies, development studies, or a relevant field (an advanced degree is a strong advantage)
- At least one year of professional experience at the national level, preferably in Kuwait, in project management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation
- Proven experience conducting research and collaborating effectively with government policymaking bodies as well as workers' and employers' organizations
- Demonstrated knowledge of disability inclusion and gender equality in the world of work, labor economics, policymaking processes, and social dialogue
- Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic
- Open to ILO internal candidates and external candidates subject to local recruitment and eligibility criteria for National Officer positions
Required documents
- Completed online application submitted through the ILO Jobs portal
When to apply
- Application deadline: October 28, 2026 at midnight local time
- Position published on October 14, 2026
How to apply
- Access the official vacancy announcement on the ILO Jobs website (Job ID: 13844)
- Complete and submit the online application form before the stated closing date
- Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation with the online application form should email ilojobs@ilo.org
Additional information
- The position is classified at the NOA grade under technical cooperation and filled by direct selection by the Director-General under Staff Regulations Article 4.2(e)
- Appointments on technical cooperation projects carry no expectation of career conversion or permanent renewal in the organization
- Candidates assessed as qualified by the interview panel but not appointed may be considered for similar positions at the same or lower grade
- The ILO does not charge application fees at any stage of the recruitment process
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Early-career development and human rights professionals with strong project management backgrounds and verified familiarity with Kuwait's institutional and labor policy landscape.
- Bilingual practitioners fluent in both Arabic and English who have hands-on experience driving disability inclusion or gender equity programs with government entities and tripartite constituents.
- Candidates seeking operational experience within the UN system who thrive in multi-stakeholder, inter-agency coordination environments.
What should you think carefully about?
- The appointment is offered as a one-year fixed-term technical cooperation contract without an inherent pathway to a continuing career appointment at the ILO.
- Eligibility is governed by specific National Officer local recruitment rules, restricting candidacy to individuals eligible for local appointment in Kuwait.
- The scope requires frequent inter-agency diplomacy and mission travel across Kuwait intervention sites under dual administrative and technical reporting lines.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position offers an immediate opportunity for an early-career policy or development specialist to spearhead a visible UN Joint Programme directly supporting Kuwait's Vision 2035 objectives. It serves as an excellent vehicle for professionals looking to establish operational UN credentials, deepen expertise in labor economics and social dialogue, and lead high-impact technical cooperation on disability inclusion.
Our take
Locally eligible national professionals with at least one year of project management and disability inclusion expertise who desire an impactful, competitive UN role in Kuwait should prioritize this application before the fixed October 28, 2026 deadline.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verified
