The International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean vacancy is now open for qualified candidates interested in a senior international labour relations position at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean position is a P5-level fixed-term position within the ACTRAV department. The vacancy is open to both eligible internal candidates and external candidates.
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If you are searching for the ILO Regional Desk Officer vacancy 2026, ILO jobs in Geneva, ILO jobs 2026, or International Labour Organization jobs, this guide provides the key vacancy information, qualifications, responsibilities and official application details.
ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean 2026
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean will be based at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and will work under the supervision of the Director of ACTRAV.
The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring ACTRAV’s relations work in the Latin America and Caribbean region, with particular emphasis on activities involving workers’ organisations.
The position involves senior-level policy advice, coordination, representation, development cooperation, project management and engagement with workers’ organisations and other ILO constituents.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Job Details
| Vacancy Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean |
| Grade | P5 |
| Vacancy Number | CALL/P/2026/8 |
| Job ID | 13733 |
| Department | ACTRAV |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Contract Type | Fixed Term |
| Publication Date | 10 August 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 10 September 2026 |
| Deadline Time | Midnight Geneva time |
| Eligible Candidates | Internal and External Candidates |
ILO Regional Desk Officer Application Deadline 2026
The ILO Regional Desk Officer application deadline is 10 September 2026 at midnight Geneva time.
Applicants should complete the online application before the deadline. Candidates are encouraged to review the vacancy requirements carefully and ensure that their application demonstrates the required senior-level experience, education, language ability and technical competencies.
Important: Recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.
Who Can Apply for the ILO Regional Desk Officer Position?
The ILO states that the following candidates are eligible to apply:
- Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
- External candidates.
The ILO also welcomes applications from qualified women and men, including qualified candidates with disabilities.
Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented ILO Member States are particularly welcome, as are applications from Member States that staffing forecasts indicate may become non- or under-represented.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Job Responsibilities
The Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean will have a broad range of strategic, managerial, policy and coordination responsibilities.
1. Coordinate ACTRAV Relations Work
The officer will work with the Director of ACTRAV to plan, organise, coordinate and monitor ACTRAV’s relations work in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
The position will help determine regional priorities and ensure that these priorities are consistent with ILO and ACTRAV plans and priorities, as well as priorities identified with trade union organisations in the region.
2. Manage and Coordinate Regional Activities
The Regional Desk Officer will support the Director in planning, managing and monitoring work assigned to Workers’ Activities Specialists in regional, DWT/CO and ILO offices.
The officer will also liaise with the Programme Officer for Workers’ Activities at the Turin Centre to ensure objectives and deadlines are achieved.
3. Provide Senior-Level Policy Advice
The position requires providing advice to the ACTRAV Director, teams at headquarters and in the field, and senior officials on issues concerning relevant constituent groups.
The officer may also represent the ILO at official events and conferences.
4. Advise on Workers’ Organisations and Labour Policies
The officer will provide advice on current policies and views concerning workers’ organisations and contribute to the development of policies governing relations with workers’ and employers’ organisations.
This includes preparing policy briefs, documents and related materials.
5. Coordinate Workers’ Group Meetings
The Regional Desk Officer will coordinate services for members of the Workers’ Group in the region, including participation in:
- The ILO Governing Body
- The International Labour Conference
- Regional meetings
- Sectoral meetings
- Official meetings
- Specialised meetings
The officer will also coordinate ILO representation at official meetings in the region and brief representatives participating in those meetings.
6. Review ILO Reports and Documents
The position requires reviewing major ILO reports and documents and providing comments and recommendations that reflect the concerns and interests of workers in the region.
The officer may also draft and approve documents, communications and press releases.
7. Undertake Missions to Member States
The successful candidate will undertake missions to ILO Member States to develop and improve relationships with relevant organisations.
These missions may involve discussing situations in Member States and providing advice and information about ILO policies and activities.
8. Support Personnel and Budgetary Matters
The Regional Desk Officer will recommend action relating to personnel, budgetary, procedural and other matters necessary for the efficient operation of the Desk.
9. Develop International Cooperation Projects
Working closely with the ACTRAV Director and development cooperation team, the officer will conceptualise, formulate and prepare development cooperation projects for submission to donors.
Responsibilities include discussing potential projects with donors, negotiating project objectives and design, managing implementation, ensuring quality and preparing donor reports.
10. Provide Technical and Policy Guidance
The officer will provide policy and technical advice to Decent Work Support Team specialists and external consultants.
The role also involves monitoring work plans, coordinating technical reports and annual reports, documenting successful results and lessons learned, and undertaking technical cooperation missions.
11. Contribute to ILO Strategic Work
The Regional Desk Officer will contribute to ACTRAV work teams dealing with major ILO priorities and frameworks, including:
- Programme and Budget
- ILO Strategic Plan
- Decent Work Country Programmes
- Global Jobs Pact
- Social Justice Declaration
- Sustainable Development Goals
ILO Regional Desk Officer Requirements
Applicants for the ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean position must meet the stated education, experience, language and competency requirements.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Education Requirements
Applicants should have an advanced university degree in one of the following fields or another relevant field:
- Economics
- Labour law
- Public administration
- Industrial relations
- Political science
- Another relevant discipline
A first-level university degree, such as a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in one of the relevant fields may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree if the candidate has an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience otherwise required.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Experience Requirements
The position requires:
- At least 10 years of professional experience at the national level dealing with issues related to relations, actions and programmes of workers’ organisations.
- At least 7 years of experience at the international level in a senior position.
Candidates should therefore have substantial senior-level experience involving workers’ organisations, labour relations, international programmes and related policy issues.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Language Requirements
The successful candidate must have an excellent command of one ILO working language:
- English
- French
- Spanish
The candidate must also have a working knowledge of another ILO working language, with the requirement that one of the languages must be English.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Technical Competencies
The vacancy calls for extensive technical and professional competencies, including:
- In-depth knowledge of ILO work, policies, programmes and procedures.
- Excellent understanding of workers’ organisations.
- Excellent knowledge of labour-related programmes, policies, issues and practices.
- Strong understanding of development concerns and needs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Political insight and sound judgement.
- Diplomacy, discretion and a strong sense of responsibility.
- Ability to advocate policy changes in difficult circumstances.
- Ability to develop relationships with major donors.
- Strong resource mobilisation capabilities.
- Managerial, financial, administrative and supervisory judgement.
- Ability to advise senior officials and executive management.
- Ability to negotiate and discuss sensitive issues with tact and authority.
- Strong planning and organisational skills.
- Ability to represent the organisation at a high level.
- Ability to deliver speeches in a tripartite environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent leadership and management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to conduct complex policy analysis.
- Ability to produce high-quality reports.
- Good working knowledge of standard computer software.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Behavioural Competencies
The role also requires the ability to:
- Work effectively as part of a team.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Work successfully in a multicultural environment.
- Demonstrate gender-sensitive behaviour.
- Demonstrate non-discriminatory attitudes and behaviour.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Recruitment Process
All candidates must complete an online ILO application form.
The recruitment process may include:
- Application screening.
- Written tests.
- A pre-interview competency-based assessment centre.
- Interviews.
- Further evaluation where applicable.
According to the vacancy announcement, evaluation and interviews are tentatively expected to take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline.
Shortlisted candidates should therefore be prepared to remain available for further assessment.
The ILO may use communication technologies such as video conferencing, teleconferencing and email during different stages of the recruitment and assessment process, depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Location
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean position is based at:
International Labour Organization Headquarters
Geneva, Switzerland
Although the position focuses on the Latin America and Caribbean region, the role is located at ILO Headquarters in Geneva.
The officer will work closely with regional offices, DWT/CO and ILO offices, the Turin Centre, ACTRAV teams and workers’ organisations.
Why This ILO Job Is Important
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean is a senior international position with significant responsibilities relating to workers’ organisations and labour policies.
The role combines:
- International labour relations
- Regional policy coordination
- Workers’ organisation engagement
- Strategic planning
- Development cooperation
- Donor relations
- Project management
- Senior-level representation
- Policy analysis
- Technical advice
- Team leadership
Because of its P5 grade, senior experience requirements and international scope, this is a position aimed at experienced professionals with substantial expertise in labour relations and workers’ organisations.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Application Tips
Applicants interested in the ILO Regional Desk Officer 2026 vacancy should carefully tailor their application to the requirements listed in the official vacancy announcement.
Highlight Senior-Level Experience
Clearly demonstrate your experience with workers’ organisations, labour relations, international programmes and senior-level responsibilities.
Demonstrate International Experience
The vacancy specifically requires significant international-level experience. Candidates should make their international responsibilities, regional assignments and cross-border work clear.
Emphasise Policy Experience
Applicants should demonstrate experience providing policy advice, conducting analysis, preparing reports and advising senior-level officials.
Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Because this is a P5 position, applicants should highlight experience managing teams, coordinating specialists, supervising projects and taking responsibility for complex programmes.
Highlight Donor and Project Experience
Experience in development cooperation, donor engagement, resource mobilisation, project design, implementation and reporting is particularly relevant to this position.
Show Language Proficiency
Applicants should clearly demonstrate their proficiency in the required ILO working languages, particularly English together with French or Spanish where applicable.
ILO Jobs 2026 – Important Information
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean recruitment is subject to the availability of funding.
The ILO also states that it does not charge applicants any fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, processing or training.
Applicants should be cautious of fraudulent recruitment messages. The ILO advises candidates to disregard messages originating from non-ILO email accounts when they claim to represent the organisation.
The ILO also does not require applicants to provide bank account details as part of the recruitment process.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ILO Regional Desk Officer Job
What is the ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean vacancy number?
The vacancy number is CALL/P/2026/8.
What is the ILO Regional Desk Officer job ID?
The Job ID is 13733.
What is the grade of the ILO Regional Desk Officer position?
The position is classified at P5.
Where is the ILO Regional Desk Officer position based?
The position is based at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
When is the ILO Regional Desk Officer application deadline?
The application deadline is 10 September 2026 at midnight Geneva time.
Can external candidates apply for the ILO Regional Desk Officer position?
Yes. The vacancy announcement states that external candidates are eligible to apply, alongside eligible internal candidates.
What degree is required for the ILO Regional Desk Officer job?
An advanced university degree in economics, labour law, public administration, industrial relations, political science or another relevant field is required, subject to the alternative first-degree and additional-experience provision stated in the vacancy announcement.
How much experience is required?
Candidates need at least 10 years of relevant professional experience at national level, including at least 7 years at international level in a senior position.
Which languages are required?
Candidates need excellent command of one ILO working language—English, French or Spanish—and working knowledge of another, with English required as one of the languages.
Final Summary: ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean 2026
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean is a senior P5 fixed-term position based in Geneva and focused on coordinating ACTRAV’s work and relations with workers’ organisations across the Latin America and Caribbean region.
The position requires advanced academic qualifications, extensive professional experience, international senior-level experience, strong labour relations expertise, excellent policy and leadership capabilities, and proficiency in ILO working languages.
Qualified internal and external candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the 10 September 2026 deadline.
Official Application Link
Applicants should apply through the official ILO recruitment system:
Apply Now – ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean
Official vacancy: Job ID 13733 | Vacancy CALL/P/2026/8 | Grade P5 | Location Geneva | Deadline 10 September 2026.
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