About the opportunity
The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for the Arab States (DWT-Beirut), covering Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The Senior Specialist is responsible for planning, providing, developing, and coordinating technical advisory services in workers’ activities, supporting workers’ organizations in strengthening institutional capacity, representativeness, democratic governance, social dialogue, collective bargaining, and labour market governance. The incumbent has double reporting responsibilities to the Director of ACTRAV at ILO headquarters for policy and technical aspects and to the Deputy Regional Director of DWT-Beirut for administrative matters.
Salary and benefits
- Fixed-term contract position at Grade P5, providing a professional international salary and benefits package in accordance with ILO standards.
Who can apply?
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in economics, labour law, public administration, industrial relations, political science, social sciences, or a related field (or a first-level university degree with an additional two years of relevant experience).
- At least ten years of experience, including at the international level, working with workers' organizations and trade unions in areas such as social dialogue, collective bargaining, trade union development, organizing, workers' education, labour policy, and institutional capacity development.
- Excellent command of English and Arabic; working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an advantage.
- Open to internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations, and external candidates.
Required documents
- Online application form completed via ILO Jobs
When to apply
- Publication date: 10 August 2026
- Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 10 September 2026
- Evaluation and interviews tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline.
How to apply
- Visit ILO Jobs and complete the online application form.
- Follow the system instructions for online application procedures.
Additional information
- The selection process is not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
- Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.
- The ILO values diversity and welcomes applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities.
- Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented member States are particularly welcome.
- The ILO does not charge any fee 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…
- Holds an advanced university degree in economics, labour law, public administration, industrial relations, political science, social sciences, or a related field.
- Brings at least ten years of relevant experience working with workers' organizations and trade unions at the international level.
- Possesses an excellent command of both English and Arabic.
What should you think carefully about?
- Involves on-site work based in Beirut, Lebanon, with a coverage scope spanning multiple countries across the Arab States.
- Recruitment is subject to the availability of funding for this fixed-term P5 grade contract.
- Involves double reporting responsibilities to both headquarters and regional administrative leadership.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This senior-level position fits a seasoned labor relations and public policy expert aiming to shape regional technical advisory services and strengthen workers' organizations at an international level. It provides a platform to drive impactful social dialogue, collective bargaining, and institutional capacity development across a diverse multi-country region.
Our take
Senior labor professionals with extensive international trade union experience and fluency in English and Arabic should seriously consider applying. Candidates without the required decade of specialized experience or those seeking remote or non-relocation options will find this role less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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