The International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, has announced an exciting senior-level opportunity for an experienced professional to join its headquarters in Geneva.
The position of Project Manager (P4), published on 23 December 2025 with an application deadline of 19 January 2026 (midnight Geneva time), offers a unique chance to contribute directly to global efforts aimed at improving wages, working conditions, and living standards in the agricultural sector.
This role is embedded within the Inclusive Labour Markets, Wages and Working Conditions Branch (INWORK) of the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY)—a department at the heart of the ILO’s mission to ensure that all women and men enjoy decent work, fair treatment, and inclusive labour protection.
The Strategic Importance of WORKQUALITY and INWORK
WORKQUALITY leads the ILO’s global work on promoting quality employment and equality in the world of work. Its ambition is clear: to ensure that workers everywhere benefit from fair wages, decent working conditions, and strong labour market institutions that uphold rights and foster equal opportunities.
Within this department, INWORK plays a critical role. The branch provides technical assistance and develops knowledge on wages and labour incomes, working time, employment protection, contractual arrangements, work organisation, and the transition from informal to formal employment.
INWORK also addresses emerging and cross-cutting areas such as decent work in the platform economy and decent work for domestic workers. Through rigorous research and evidence-based policy advice, INWORK supports governments, employers, and workers’ organizations in designing labour market policies that respond to national needs while aligning with international labour standards.
About the Project: Setting Adequate Wages in Agriculture
The Project Manager (P4) position is linked to a development cooperation (DC) project titled “Setting Adequate Wages: A Focus on Agriculture (SAW-A)”, financed by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
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Agriculture remains one of the largest sources of employment globally, yet it is also one of the sectors most affected by low pay, informality, and vulnerability. The SAW-A project addresses these challenges by promoting adequate wage-setting mechanisms—such as statutory minimum wages and collective bargaining—to ensure decent living standards for agricultural workers and their families, while maintaining the sustainability of enterprises.
Importantly, the project goes beyond wage employment. Recognizing that many agricultural workers are self-employed or smallholder farmers, it explores the concept of living income and examines how productivity measures and economic interventions can raise labour incomes for those who do not earn wages in the traditional sense.
The project collaborates with existing living wage initiatives and undertakes research to better understand how workers’ needs and economic realities can be balanced.
Project management is centralized at ILO headquarters in Geneva, with field operations in Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Colombia, making this a truly global and impactful assignment.
Key Responsibilities of the Project Manager (P4)
The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and technical leadership of the SAW-A project. Working under the supervision of a Senior Economist and Wage Specialist, and ultimately reporting to the Chief of the INWORK Branch, the incumbent will ensure that project objectives are delivered on time, within budget, and in full compliance with ILO policies and procedures.
Project Management and Oversight
The role involves planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating project activities. This includes preparing work plans, budgets, inception and narrative reports, and ensuring accurate financial reporting in line with donor agreements. The Project Manager will also identify risks and challenges, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure the effective use of project resources.
Human and Financial Resource Management
The incumbent will manage project budgets, oversee fund disbursement requests, and ensure compliance with ILO financial rules. In addition, they will supervise project staff, including an Administrative Assistant and national officers, and oversee the recruitment and performance of consultants and partners.
Technical Leadership and Policy Advice
A key aspect of the role is providing high-level technical advice and secretariat support to governments, ministries, and social partners. The Project Manager will contribute to shaping policies on wage-setting, living wages, and living incomes, ensuring alignment with the ILO Decent Work Agenda and international labour standards.
Advocacy, Partnerships, and Visibility
The Project Manager will strengthen partnerships with governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, NGOs, donors, and other UN agencies. By facilitating exchanges of experience across countries and regions, the role supports learning, innovation, and the scaling-up of effective interventions. Promoting gender equality, non-discrimination, and inclusion is a cross-cutting responsibility throughout all project activities.
Knowledge Management and Dissemination
The position also involves overseeing research, publications, and dissemination strategies. This includes contributing to global knowledge products, supporting communication through ILO platforms, and participating in national, regional, and global events to share lessons learned and best practices.
Qualifications and Competencies
The ILO is seeking a highly qualified professional with an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics or a related field, or a first-level degree combined with additional relevant experience. Candidates must have at least seven years of relevant professional experience, including experience at the international level.
Fluency in one of the ILO’s working languages (English, French, or Spanish) and a good working knowledge of another are essential.
Beyond formal qualifications, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, strategic thinking, and policy advisory skills. The role requires excellent communication abilities, a results-oriented mindset, and the capacity to work effectively in multicultural environments while promoting gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory practices.
Conditions of Employment and Recruitment Process
The position is a P4-grade fixed-term appointment for 12 months under a technical cooperation project. While such appointments do not automatically lead to a long-term career with the ILO, extensions may be possible depending on funding availability, organizational needs, and performance.
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All applications must be submitted online through the ILO Jobs platform. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to written assessments and interviews, which may be conducted virtually. The ILO maintains strict standards of integrity, including zero tolerance for fraud, sexual exploitation, and abuse.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This Project Manager role offers more than a professional advancement—it provides an opportunity to shape global policy discussions on wages, living standards, and decent work in agriculture. For professionals passionate about social justice, labour rights, and evidence-based policy-making, this position represents a chance to make a tangible impact on the lives of workers and their families across multiple regions of the world.
