Programme Manager - P5

Grade: P5

Vacancy no.: DC/OSHE/P/2026/01
Publication date: 13 July 2026
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 26 July 2026

Job ID: 13709
Department: GOVERNANCE
Organization Unit: OSHE
Location: Geneva
Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: One year

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 ilojobs@ilo.org.

Introduction

The position is located in the Occupational Safety and health and Working Environment (OSHE) Branch within the Labour Governance and Sectoral Policies Department. The Vision Zero Fund (VZF) is part of the ILO global Programme Safety & Health for All that aims to improve the health and safety of workers worldwide, and is implemented within the Programme’s Results Based Management Framework, contributing to the implementation of the ILO’s Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health and its Plan of Action 2024-2030. For more information see https://vzf.ilo.org/.

The Vision Zero Fund (VZF) is an initiative launched by the G7 and endorsed by the G20, with the aim of preventing work-related deaths, injuries, and diseases in supply chains. The Fund supports national appropriate action across regions, particularly in low-income and least developed producing countries by governments, business, social partners, and NGOs. Its main objective is to increase collective public and private efforts aimed at fostering and enhancing concrete prevention activities in supply chains.

Striving to achieve the vision of zero work-related injuries and diseases, the Fund’s approach is to focus exclusively on the prevention of workplace accidents and protection from work-related injuries and diseases in sectors operating in supply chains and the building of needed public sector programmes in countries linked to such supply chains. Supported actions focus on bringing together public and private approaches necessary to achieve zero work-related injuries and disease and enhancing comprehensive joint efforts. It leads to changes and improvement in working conditions and sector and company level practices necessary to achieve the vision zero goal (e.g. sourcing practices, infrastructure and equipment procurement and maintenance, development of occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems, training of workers on safety and health procedures, implementation of OSH standards and assessment requirements, creation of company-based bilateral safety and health committees and provision of occupational health services) as well as public capacity (e.g. capacity building for OSH regulatory frameworks and labour inspection institutions, skills development for workers and managers, and know-how for the establishment of national work-related injury insurance schemes).

In the framework of Safety + Health for All, the Programme Manager will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of all aspects of the Vision Zero Fund. The incumbent will support the promotion of ILO standards and policies in relevant technical areas, namely OSH, in full alignment and respect for ILO policies and approaches in the technical areas covered by the Fund, and applicable internal rules and procedures.

Reporting lines:

The Programme Manager will work under the supervision of the Chief, Occupational Safety and Health and Working Environment Branch (OSHE) in ILO HQ and in close collaboration and consultation with the Branch Partnerships, Programme and Operations Team Lead. She/ He will receive technical guidance and support from relevant technical specialists at the HQ and in the regions.

Description of Duties

The Programme Manager is responsible for the overall management of the VZF, including its operational, financial, administrative and human resource management (including staff recruitment and performance management), resource mobilization, country and global operations, alignment with ILO standards and policies, and public statements on behalf of the Fund.

Within the framework of Branch operations, the main responsibilities of the Programme Manager will be to:

1. Ensure effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programme activities, in conformity with the framework of Safety + Health for All and ILO policies programming rules and guidelines and administrative and financial procedures.
2. Provide policy advice, in coordination and collaboration with ILO HQ and field specialists, in the technical areas covered by the Fund, ensuring technical quality and coherence with other ILO activities on OSH.
3. Manage efficiently funds/budget assigned to the programme and the human resources of the fund including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects.
4. Lead Secretarial support to the VZF governance structure, namely the Steering Committee and Advisory Committee, including preparation of meetings and regular reports, and the development of technically accurate concept notes and project documents for submission to the Steering Committee, following ILO policies and procedures.
5. Ensure the VZF effectively contributes to achieving the objectives of the Safety + Health for All Programme Strategy, the overarching Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health (2024–2030), and the ILO strategy on decent work in supply chains.
6. Assess the technical quality and degree of implementation of programme activities and resources. Identify problems and resource or financial deficiencies, propose corrective action to management, and explore and report on inter-agency cooperation possibilities. Develop and review programme information materials, including knowledge products.
7. Foster contacts and relations with governments, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of programme activities.
8. Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the programme in collaboration with technical specialists.
9. Promote relationships with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community and oversee and monitor resource mobilization proposals in coordination with PARTNERSHIPS.
10. Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of programme planning and implementation and establish coordination with concerned ILO departments and programmes, notably within the Governance department.
11. Represent the Fund at relevant meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships with government policymakers, worker’s and employer’s organizations and civil society organizations.
12. Any other duties assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in a relevant field such as international development, law, occupational safety and health, public administration, social sciences, medicine, engineering, economics or other relevant fields.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned field with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years’ experience in the management of development cooperation activities, including at the international level. This includes experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects. Proven management experience, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with the donor community, officials of ministries of labour and social partners, and experience on OSH will be a distinct advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of one working language (English, French, Spanish) of the Organization. Working knowledge of one or more additional working languages would be considered an advantage.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

• Management and leadership skills
• Strategic planning, decision-making, policy formulation and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to apply operational, administrative and financial procedures, practices and rules in organizations of similar size and complexity.
• Demonstrated skills and ability in advising and leading work teams and motivating and engaging staff.
• Strong integrity, interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy.
• Facility with public debate around complex, evidence-based policy issues.
• Ability to deal effectively with constituents and donor agencies.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Ability to mobilize support of Governments, social partners, and other relevant key partners (such as international and local companies, NGOs, international and/or national agencies), manage stakeholder relations and build consensus.

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.