Introduction

The position is located in the Inclusive Markets and Entrepreneurship team in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Branch of the Enterprise Department. The team focuses on developing and testing market-based solutions specifically tailored for fragile and forced displacement contexts to support the livelihoods and self-resilience of both refugees and vulnerable host communities in a sustainable and systemic manner.

The ILO’s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) has first been developed in 2014 to apply the market systems development approach to the context of fragility and forced displacement. The approach is now used in over 20 countries to develop sectors and value chains with potential and promote decent job creation for refugees and other vulnerable groups.

The main role of the position is to lead the technical backstopping and coordination of inputs of the Inclusive Markets and Entrepreneurship team to different ongoing programmes and initiatives that use AIMS to promote job creation for refugees and other vulnerable groups. This includes a newly established ADA-funded global programme on AIMS that foresees intervention streams in Kenya and Lebanon, in combination with a strong global knowledge generation and management component (launch expected in December 2025) as well as AIMS initiatives in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso where the AfDB-funded SOLEIL project (launch expected in early 2026) seeks to promote livelihoods of youth at risk in selected agri-industry and agri-food sectors, and AIMS initiatives in Jordan under the RDPP-funded ‘Manzouma’ project that conducts research and analyses of selected value chains to design strategies for refugee-inclusive growth and job creation in Jordan. The role will also support work on Entrepreneurship Ecosystem development.

This position will be located in MSME/ENTERPRISES at ILO HQ in Geneva for the duration of one year. Any extension of this position will include a transfer to relevant ILO field offices.

Note: Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.

Reporting lines: The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Technical Specialist on Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Markets and the overall guidance of the ILO Global Coordinator on Value Chains and Entrepreneurship, ILO Geneva. The work will be closely coordinated with ILO field offices and DC staff of supported projects.

Description of Duties

1. Assist the Programme Managers, CTAs and National Coordinators of the Manzouma project in Jordan, the SOLEIL project in the Sahel region and the initiatives implemented in Kenya and Lebanon under the ADA’s contribution to the global AIMS programme by providing global knowledge management support, extract lessons learned, provide technical support in specialized systems driven implementation, planning, monitoring and evaluation of project activities. Ensure conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and Office procedures and practices.
2. Conduct gender- and conflict-sensitive research and integrate technical inputs for regional and country analyses, sectoral analyses, reports and publications related to the above-mentioned projects. Extract lessons for global knowledge management.
3. Conduct research on best practices and lessons learnt regarding the application of systemic approaches in fragile and forced displacement contexts, support the development of knowledge products, briefs and case studies and present these at relevant events and practitioner exchanges. 
4. Develop training materials and conduct seminars and workshops, particularly on systemic approaches in fragile and forced displacement settings s well as on Entrepreneurship Ecosystems and their support, using innovative methods and communication tools and leveraging the use of digital technologies.
5. Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor, maintain close liaison with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, and UN/non-governmental organizations, to discuss matters and follow up on a broad range of country programmes and projects. Maintain working contacts and collaboration with multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies at the global and regional level and draft proposals for funding.
6. Promote ILO policies and approaches, including on fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards through coordination with a range of relevant national policies and the strategies of various projects, including those being undertaken by other agencies or in complementary fields of activity around the globe. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.
7. Provide technical support to ILO constituents and other relevant stakeholders pertaining to the use of market-led approaches and systemic approaches in fragile and forced displacement contexts at the global level, with a view to promoting the Decent Work Agenda.
8. Liaise with other teams in the MSME Branch as well as with other policy and administrative units and branches within the ILO as to support the wider objective of promoting inclusive and resilient market-driven and entrepreneurship interventions as to create more and better jobs, also linked to a Just Transition for all.
9. Undertake action-oriented and comparative research on emerging trends and policy developments on the humanitarian-development nexus, resilience and climate change, social protection and entrepreneurship ecosystems, specifically in relation to inclusive market systems, and the use of private sector development tools in forced displacement settings.
10. Undertake missions in relation to project implementation.
11. Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in economics, business or public administration, social science or other related field with demonstrated expertise in the field of small enterprise development and of economic inclusion.

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

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience in the field of market system development and/or private sector development, of which at least two years at international level . Concrete experience in project implementation in the field is an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English and of another ILO language (French and/or Spanish), including excellent drafting skills.

Competencies

• Good knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the areas of market system development and private sector development in displacement contexts.
• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.