The International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is globally recognized for its mandate to promote decent work, social justice, and internationally recognized human and labour rights. Through close collaboration with governments, employers, and workers’ organizations, the ILO plays a central role in shaping labour policies that are inclusive, sustainable, and fair. For professionals dedicated to social impact, inclusion, and employment policy, the ILO offers a meaningful platform to contribute to transformative change.
The ILO is currently inviting applications for the position of Inclusive Employment Officer at the National Officer level (NOB), based in Ankara, Türkiye. This is a short-term technical cooperation appointment, running until 31 December 2026, with a possibility of extension subject to funding and performance. The role is part of a major development cooperation initiative focused on promoting decent work and formal employment for Syrian refugees and host communities in Türkiye.
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About the Project: Promoting Decent Work for Syrian Refugees
The Inclusive Employment Officer position is embedded within the development cooperation project titled “Promoting Decent Work for Syrian Refugees in Host Communities.” Funded by the KfW Development Bank, the project aligns with the ILO Programme and Budget 2026–2027, specifically Outcome 6, and Country Programme Outcome CPO TUR 159. Its central objective is to enhance formal employment opportunities for Syrian refugees under temporary protection (SuTP) as well as Turkish citizens in host communities.
Türkiye has hosted millions of Syrian refugees since 2014, and the ILO has been actively supporting the country’s response through employment-rich strategies that promote inclusion, skills development, and access to formal labour markets. This project builds on more than a decade of ILO engagement, contributing to Türkiye’s broader national response and the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP).
Implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoFLSS), national authorities, and social partners, the project covers multiple provinces including Ankara, Sanliurfa, Hatay, Gaziantep, Adana, Mersin, Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, and Konya.
Project Outcomes and Strategic Focus
The project is structured around three key outcomes:
- Outcome A: Syrian refugees under temporary protection are qualified to participate in the formal labour market.
- Outcome B: Turkish public employment services are strengthened to support refugees and disadvantaged Turkish citizens in accessing formal employment.
- Outcome C: Transition to formality is facilitated for both Syrian refugees and Turkish citizens.
The current phase of the project places increased emphasis on gender equality and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, ensuring that employment policies and programmes address intersectional vulnerabilities. The Inclusive Employment Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring that inclusion is effectively mainstreamed across all project activities.
Role Overview: Inclusive Employment Officer
The Inclusive Employment Officer will work as a core member of the KfW Project Team under the supervision of the Project Manager and the overall guidance of the Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye. The position requires strong technical expertise in inclusive employment, labour market policies, and programme implementation, with a particular focus on refugees, women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
This role combines policy-oriented work with practical field engagement, offering a dynamic opportunity to influence employment outcomes at both strategic and operational levels.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Inclusive Employment Officer will be responsible for a wide range of technical and coordination tasks, including:
- Leading the timely and effective implementation of project activities related to inclusive employment, with a strong focus on refugees and other vulnerable groups.
- Providing specialized technical input on mainstreaming inclusion into employment policies and programmes, ensuring alignment with decent work principles.
- Supporting government institutions and social partners with legal and policy advice related to formal employment and labour market inclusion.
- Identifying and leading research initiatives on inclusion and employment, particularly focusing on intersectionality among refugees, women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
- Organizing and facilitating awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing events on inclusive and formal employment in Türkiye.
- Monitoring developments related to refugee employment and identifying bottlenecks, while advising on corrective actions to achieve project outcomes.
- Analysing data, statistics, and research produced by the project and external institutions, and preparing analytical reports for management.
- Liaising with government agencies, social partners, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to support data collection and evidence-based policymaking.
- Briefing ILO specialists, project experts, and visiting officials on project-related activities.
- Undertaking regular field missions to project locations and maintaining close engagement with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
- Performing additional duties as assigned by project leadership.
Required Qualifications
Education
Candidates must hold a first-level university degree in economics, administrative sciences, social sciences, or a related technical field. An advanced degree in labour economics, industrial relations, or a master’s in business administration is considered a strong advantage.
Experience
Applicants should have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, particularly in:
- Project management related to employment policies and programmes
- Refugee employment, gender mainstreaming, and disability inclusion
- Research design and analytical work
Experience working with government institutions, workers’ and employers’ organizations, or international development partners is highly desirable.
Languages
Excellent written and spoken English and Turkish are mandatory for this position.
Core Competencies and Skills
Among the ILO’s core competencies, the following are particularly important for this role:
- Communication and collaboration
- Sensitivity to diversity and inclusion
- Client orientation
- Strong organizational and planning skills
In addition, candidates should demonstrate:
- Solid understanding of refugee employment challenges in Türkiye
- Knowledge of the ILO’s mandate and decent work agenda
- Strong analytical, research, and drafting skills
- Political awareness and stakeholder engagement capacity
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments
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Commitment to Diversity and Fair Recruitment
The ILO values diversity and encourages applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for candidates who may face challenges completing the online application process. The ILO maintains a strict no-fee recruitment policy and warns applicants to remain vigilant against fraudulent job offers.
It is important to note that technical cooperation appointments do not carry an expectation of long-term employment with the ILO and are subject to funding availability and project needs.
Application Deadline and How to Apply
- Publication Date: 06 January 2026
- Application Deadline: 27 January 2026 (midnight local time)
- Location: Ankara, Türkiye
- Contract Type: Short Term (until 31 December 2026, with possible extension)
All applicants must complete the online application form through the official ILO recruitment system.
