National Project Coordinator

Grade: NOB

Vacancy no.: DC/Tarawa/NOB/2026/05
Publication date: 18 May 2026

Application deadline (midnight local time): 16 August 2026 (Position Readvertised)

Job ID: 13638
Department: RO - Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Suva
Location: Tarawa, Kiribati
Contract type: FT

Contract duration: 12 Months with possibility of extension

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 above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

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 recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.

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 ilojobs@ilo.org.

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.

*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.

Background:

The ILO is leading Mwakuri Aika a Raraoi Ibukimi (“Decent Work for All”) Activity 2 (MARI 2), as part of Mwakuri Aika Nakoraoi Ibukin Maeuraoimi “Decent Employment for Everyone’s Development” (MANIM Project), funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The overall MANIM Project objective is to facilitate decent and inclusive employment for I-Kiribati.

It aims to enhance protection and family resilience in Kiribati for existing, aspiring and returnee migrant workers, members of their families, and their advocates, across three key areas: workers’ rights and wellbeing, including facilitating the establishment of Kiribati’s first Overseas Worker Resource Centre (OWRC); pre-departure training and community outreach, in complement to existing pre-departure programs, which will equip workers and their families to maximise the benefits, and manage the impacts of, labour migration; and reintegration support to sustain the benefits of labour migration. The ILO will work closely with the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources (MEHR) across all results areas. In addition to leading Activity 2 (MARI 2) of the MANIM Project, ILO is responsible for implementing the Counter-Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Risk Management Plan for the MANIM Project as a whole.

Reporting Line

The National Programme Coordinator (NPC) will work under the technical supervision of the Programme Manager (PM), and the administrative supervision of the Director of the ILO Country Office for ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries. The NPC will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the programme and realization of the programme’s outputs at the national and sub-national level, particularly by prompting and coordinating the work of implementing partners; providing advice and technical support to the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources (MEHR) and Overseas Worker Resource Centre (OWRC); and through the coordination and implementation of workshops, consultations, and training activities. In coordination with the ILO Programme Manager, the National Programme Coordinator (NPC) will provide regular updates and seek project implementation advice from the Secretary of the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources.

Specifically, the NPC will undertake the following duties and responsibilities, under the supervision of the PM:

Description of Duties

Programme implementation and monitoring:

1. Monitor progress of programme activities with implementing partners by reviewing, verifying and analysing workplans, progress reports, final reports and other data. Identify problems, recommend solutions, and follow-up with implementing partners to ensure timeliness and quality of results, including to ensure the programme is fulfilling its commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.
2. Prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts to ensure sufficient resources are available for the achievement of planned results and fulfilment of workplans. Anticipate delays and recommend solutions to rectify implementation challenges.
3. Ensure adherence to the ILO rules and regulations for financial and administrative matters and ensure timely fulfilment of all obligations. Act as the primary focal point for partners’ enquiries about administrative procedures and requirements.
4. Assist in the development and maintenance of information systems for use in monitoring and reporting on activities and performance.

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5. Undertake missions and site visits, independently or accompanying other officials, to support programme implementation, monitoring and reporting.

6. In coordination with the Programme Manager, develop concept notes, terms of reference and implementation agreements required to ensure activities are planned and implemented successfully. Organize, participate as a resource person, and represent the programme in consultative meetings, seminars and training workshops as required.

7. Supervise the work of the programme’s Administrative and Financial Assistant and national consultants, and the ability to contribute to a positive and collaborative working environment.

8. Act as the focal point for M&E and prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly progress reports for the ILO and the Donor.

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Stakeholder engagement, communications and visibility:

9. Establish and maintain close and positive links with the relevant national and local stakeholders, such as national and local authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector actors and the media that are active in the area of migration, economic development, gender equality and social inclusion, and trafficking in persons.

10. Serve as a focal point within the ILO project team for selected technical subjects and prepare speeches, make presentations and address meetings at the national and regional level on behalf of the programme. Provide interpretation to other ILO staff and consultants where appropriate.

11. Draft, edit in, or translate into local language(s) key news releases, media statements, communication materials, official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information material to communicate programme activities.

12. Ensure visibility of the programme and its donor by using the relevant identifiers on all materials and publications, and at workshops and events. Liaise with the donor in line with guidance provided by programme management.

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Research and information management:

13. Provide inputs to and draft portions of policy briefs, research, tools, guidelines and other materials developed by the programme. Prepare background information, reports and statistical data on status of programme activities and relevant developments in the country.

14. Identify, review and analyse country specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information.

15. Assemble and edit basic data required for planning, reporting and negotiation of programme activities, considering different approaches and alternative methods for programme design, management, problem identification and problem resolution.

16. Brief ILO specialists, programme staff and consultants, and visiting officials, academics, UN and NGO partners and provide relevant information on programme-related matters.

17. Identify and document good practices, lessons learned and relevant experiences that may be shared with other countries covered by the programme, or at the regional or global level.

18. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisors

Required qualifications

Education

University Degree in law, political science, economics, management or a relevant field; or equivalent in experience.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience in project or programme management and implementation at the national level. Experience working on labour migration, or a related field such as economic development, trafficking or gender equality, is preferred.

Languages

Excellent command of English and a national language

Competencies

• Experience leading or supporting the monitoring and implementation of development projects or programmes, including administration, procurement, workplanning, budgeting, and monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret programme information in order to identify challenges and propose solutions
• Ability to cultivate and develop partnerships and coordinate stakeholders
• Ability to negotiate with impartiality and diplomacy while maintaining constructive working relationships
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Clear understanding of principles of gender equality and social inclusion, and ability to communicate these principles with partners.
• Demonstrated capacity to understand, apply and adhere to financial rules and regulations.
• Good computer applications skills, including a command of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Organizational skills

optional section (if needed)

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to supervise staff.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO People. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

The panel concluded that none of the applications received met the requirements of the post to the standard required. The vacancy has been republished with the same terms of reference and requirements. As the requirements will remain unchanged, candidates who have already applied are unlikely to be assessed differently unless their circumstances or qualifications have materially changed since the original submission.

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.