ILO Vacancy 2026 – Senior Programme Officer (Enterprise Development)

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is recruiting a Senior Programme Officer (Enterprise Development) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The position supports enterprise development, market-based interventions, livelihoods, programme implementation, and socio-economic inclusion of host communities and refugees under the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme.

Job Summary

The Senior Programme Officer (Enterprise Development) will provide technical and programme support for enterprise development and small business promotion, market systems development, livelihoods interventions, and inclusive socio-economic opportunities for host communities and refugees.

The position will work under the overall responsibility and guidance of the Director of the ILO Country Office in Addis Ababa and report directly to the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) on operational, technical, and administrative matters.

Position Details

Programme Context

The position is part of the ILO's work under the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme, an initiative involving the Government of the Netherlands, International Finance Corporation (IFC), ILO, UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank.

The programme aims to strengthen socio-economic inclusion and resilience in countries affected by forced displacement, including through improved access to labour markets, inclusive economic development, education and child protection, and support for host communities and forcibly displaced populations.

For the ILO, the programme focuses on strengthening decent work, labour markets, employment creation, improved working conditions, and socio-economic opportunities. Its activities include employment-intensive investment, local economic and business development, and promotion of value chains and market systems.

The Horn of Africa programme region includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Development

• Provide advice on economic and labour market trends in host communities and refugee settlements to support enterprise development, small business promotion, and market-system interventions.
• Provide inputs to knowledge products and tools supporting local economic development assessments, including market systems analysis.
• Support the design and implementation of inclusive labour market and market systems development interventions.
• Facilitate participation of employers' organizations and trade unions in enterprise development initiatives and local economic development opportunities.
• Provide inputs, advice, and capacity-building support for local partners, including training providers, business development service providers, and social partners.
• Support the design and operationalization of competitive grant schemes for entrepreneurship and business start-ups targeting refugee host communities and refugees.
• Support initiatives, including local media activities, aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between host communities and refugees.
• Design sustainable livelihood interventions for vulnerable households to support their participation in the labour market through partnerships, capacity development, and institutionalization of innovative approaches.

Programme Management and Implementation

• Participate in inter-agency coordination, review, planning, and coordination processes relating to programme inclusion and other programme pillars.
• Support monitoring and evaluation of project interventions.
• Undertake periodic monitoring and evaluation at project field sites.
• Support project partners in using tools and methodologies for planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Plan, monitor, and coordinate enterprise activities by reviewing, monitoring, verifying, and analyzing work plans, progress reports, final reports, and other project data.
• Draft activities and provide technical inputs to progress reports, highlighting progress toward programme targets.
• Contribute to documenting and disseminating project successes and lessons learned.
• Prepare terms of reference for consultants and participate in sourcing and evaluating local service providers and consultants as appropriate.
• Participate in, and where appropriate lead, the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and other project events.
• Represent the ILO at field-level project meetings and relevant meetings with UN agencies, donors, field visits, thematic donor meetings, district and regional forums, and sector meetings of tripartite partners.
• Assist with programming and control of project resources.
• Prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts based on planned activities.
• Collaborate with other programmes within and outside the ILO to strengthen programme synergies and outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CTA.

Education

A first-level university degree (bachelor's or equivalent) in one of the following or a related discipline:

• Development
• Business Management
• Social Science
• Economics
• Labour
• Technical and Vocational Education
• Related field

Experience Required

• At least 3 years of experience in the design, management, and implementation of projects involving:
  • Enterprise development
  • Market-based interventions
  • Livelihoods support for host communities and refugees
• Experience working with the United Nations, ministries of labour, or other government ministries, departments, and agencies is an added advantage.
• Experience working in development responses to crisis or refugee settings is an advantage.

Language Requirements

• Excellent knowledge and command of English.
• Working knowledge of Amharic.

Competencies and Skills

• Ability to take ownership of responsibilities and act with integrity and transparency.
• Ability to meet commitments within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.
• Good knowledge of the market systems approach and entrepreneurship promotion tools.
• Ability to develop strategic goals consistent with programme objectives.
• Ability to design and synthesize strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate, provide policy advice, and work effectively in a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions using qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare accurate reports and build networks with partners.
• Excellent computer and information-application skills, including word processing, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness during significant changes in work tasks or the working environment.
• Ability to adapt to new work structures, processes, requirements, and cultures.
• Ability to seek and encourage innovative approaches to organizational challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.
• Good knowledge of ILO programme and budget, project formulation, and evaluation techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of ILO social partners.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs.
• Negotiation skills with governments and social partners.
• Ability to mobilize support from international donor agencies and provide quality services.
• Ability to support the development of individuals' skills and abilities for effective fulfilment of job responsibilities.

Eligibility and Appointment Information

Both ILO internal candidates and external candidates are eligible to apply, subject to the applicable requirements.

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

For external candidates, the appointment will normally be made at the first step of the applicable grade, in accordance with existing ILO practice.

The ILO states that technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and do not carry an expectation of renewal or conversion to another type of appointment. Extensions are subject to factors including availability of funds, continuing need for the functions, and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The ILO welcomes applications from qualified female candidates and encourages applicants with disabilities.

How to Apply

Candidates must complete the ILO online application form.

Apply online:
https://jobs.ilo.org/talentcommunity/apply/13811/?locale=en_GB

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

The ILO states that candidates should follow the instructions provided through its online application system.

Fraud Warning

The ILO states that it does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process, including application, interview, processing, or training.

Applicants should disregard messages claiming to originate from the ILO that do not come from an @ilo.org email address. The ILO also states that it does not require applicants' bank account details.

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