Senior Specialist in Workers' Activities - Beirut

Grade: [[filter4]] Vacancy no.: [[positionNumber]] Publication date: 10 August 2026 Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 10 September 2026 Job ID: [[id]] Department: [[newdepartment]] Organization Unit: [[orgunit]] Location: [[dutystation]] Contract type: [[filter3]] The ILO is issuing a call for expression of interest for the above position. The selection process is not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations. The following are eligible to apply: 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. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org . Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future, would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding. Introduction The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for the Arab States (DWT-Beirut). DWT-Beirut covers the following countries and territories: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. DWT-Beirut provides technical support in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and other ILO country support activities within the framework of outcome-based work plans. [OD1.1]This technical support covers a wide range of specific subjects within the four core areas of the ILO’s mandate; rights at work, employment, social protection and social dialogue. The Bureau for Workers Activities (ACTRAV) specialists are part of global teams with a presence at both ILO headquarters and in the regions. Worker specialists are integral members of Regional Offices, Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs) and Country Offices, and the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO). The Senior Workers’ Activities Specialist is responsible for planning, providing, developing and coordinating technical advisory services in the field of workers' activities in the region as specified by the Director of ACTRAV at ILO headquarters, and assisting workers’ organizations in their efforts to provide their members with improved/new services, thus extending their representation and their capacity to become strong, relevant, independent and representative organizations, able to fulfil their roles and responsibilities in the promotion of workers’ interests, in line with the principles of ILO standards. In carrying out these responsibilities, the incumbent supports workers’ organizations in strengthening their institutional capacity, representativeness, democratic governance, coordination and cooperation, and ability to effectively engage in social dialogue, collective bargaining and labour market governance processes. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening independent and representative workers’ organizations and, where appropriate, supporting cooperation and unity of action among workers’ organizations, particularly in contexts marked by fragmentation, plurality or competing trade union structures. The incumbent will also support their engagement on emerging labour and socio-economic challenges in the Arab States region, including informality, labour migration, economic transformation, just transition and other issues affecting workers and their organizations. The incumbent has double reporting responsibilities, reporting to the Director of ACTRAV at ILO headquarters for policy, technical and operational aspects and to the Deputy Regional Director of DWT-Beirut for administrative matters. The Senior Specialist works in close coordination with ACTRAV’s Regional Desk Officer at ILO headquarters and in collaboration with the other specialists in the DWT/CO team, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the country and regional levels. Key duties and responsibilities 1. Lead the work of the Bureau of Workers Activities (ACTRAV) as per the country and regional coverage as specified by the Director of ACTRAV and ensure the effective management of all financial, human, and other resources in accordance with ILO standards, the results-based management framework and through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and other feedback mechanisms at the field level. Plan, manage and coordinate a broad programme of work within ILO and multilateral programmes in the area of workers’ activities in designated countries. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and manage staff and consultants as applicable. 2. Lead the design, development, implementation, monitoring and promotion of related programmes, strategies, approaches, and policies with a view to enhancing and positioning the Organization’s technical leadership in the area of workers’ activities, in designated countries. Lead, manage and coordinate high-level advocacy and technical and policy advisory services on workers’ activities to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, fostering the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies. 3. Provide thought leadership in the area of workers’ activities to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders, including through the continuous strategic positioning of the Organization and its mandate within the United Nations system. Act as a catalyst in formulating policies on critical issues related to the promotion of workers’ activities relating to decent work across ILO’s strategic objectives and build bridges and synergies between strategic policy areas. Coordinate cross-organizational teams/initiatives to ensure integration and policy coherence to advance broad programme development on workers’ activities. 4. Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks in relation to workers’ activities. Provide authoritative policy and technical advice in the area of workers’ activities to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards. 5. Support ILO workers’ constituency in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Provide technical advice and support to workers’ organizations on trade union development, organizing strategies, collective bargaining, institutional strengthening, democratic governance, representativeness, coordination and cooperation, and service delivery to members. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of workers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects at the regional/sub-regional and national Level. 6. Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Build and stimulate multidisciplinary initiatives and efforts with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Dece