The International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced a new Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean opportunity for qualified professionals interested in senior-level international labour relations, workers’ organisations, development cooperation and regional policy coordination.
The position is based at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and is offered on a fixed-term contract at Grade P5.
If you are looking for an ILO job in Geneva, an ILO P5 position, or an international career focused on workers’ organisations and labour relations in Latin America and the Caribbean, this vacancy may be relevant to your professional background.
ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean 2026: Quick Details
| Vacancy Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean |
| Grade | P5 |
| Vacancy Number | CALL/P/2026/8 |
| Job ID | 13733 |
| Department | ACTRAV |
| Organization Unit | ACTRAV |
| Duty Station | 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 – Latin America and Caribbean Job 2026
The ILO is issuing a call for expression of interest for the Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean position.
The successful candidate will work within ACTRAV, the ILO department responsible for workers’ activities, and will be based at ILO Headquarters in Geneva.
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The role focuses on planning, coordinating and monitoring ACTRAV activities in the Latin America and Caribbean region, particularly activities involving workers’ organisations.
The position also involves providing strategic advice to senior ILO officials, supporting regional Workers’ Group representatives, coordinating meetings and missions, and developing development cooperation projects.
What Will the ILO Regional Desk Officer Do?
The Regional Desk Officer will have a senior coordination and advisory role covering the Latin America and Caribbean region.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Coordinate ACTRAV Activities
The officer will work with the Director of ACTRAV to:
- Plan and coordinate ACTRAV relations work in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
- Determine regional priorities.
- Monitor implementation of regional activities.
- Ensure regional priorities align with ILO and ACTRAV plans.
- Work closely with trade union organisations and other relevant constituents.
2. Support Regional Specialists
The officer will support the planning and monitoring of work assigned to Specialists in Workers’ Activities across Regional, DWT/CO and ILO offices.
The position also requires coordination with the Programme Officer for Workers’ Activities at the Turin Centre to ensure activities meet agreed objectives and deadlines.
3. Provide Strategic Advice
The Regional Desk Officer will provide advice to:
- The Director of ACTRAV.
- ACTRAV teams at headquarters and in the field.
- Senior ILO officials.
- Relevant constituent groups.
The officer may also represent the ILO at official events and conferences.
4. Develop Labour and Workers’ Organisation Policies
The position requires strong knowledge of workers’ organisations and labour-related policies.
The officer will advise senior officials on current policies and views concerning workers’ organisations and help develop policies relating to relations with workers’ and employers’ organisations.
5. Coordinate Official Meetings
The Regional Desk Officer will coordinate services for members of the Workers’ Group participating in:
- The ILO Governing Body.
- The International Labour Conference.
- Regional meetings.
- Sectoral meetings.
- Other official and specialised meetings.
The officer will also coordinate ILO representation at official meetings in the region.
6. Review ILO Reports and Documents
The officer will review major ILO reports and documents and provide comments to ensure that the concerns and interests of workers in the region are appropriately reflected.
The role also includes drafting and approving documents, communications and press releases.
7. Undertake Missions to Member States
The Regional Desk Officer will undertake missions to ILO Member States to:
- Build relationships with relevant organisations.
- Improve existing relations.
- Review national situations.
- Discuss workers’ organisations and labour-related issues.
- Provide information and advice regarding ILO policies and activities.
8. Support Personnel and Budget Management
The officer will recommend appropriate action concerning personnel, budgetary, procedural and other matters necessary for the effective operation of the regional desk.
9. Develop Development Cooperation Projects
Working with ACTRAV and the development cooperation team, the officer will conceptualise, formulate and prepare projects for submission to donors.
Responsibilities include:
- Discussing proposed projects with donors.
- Securing donor approval.
- Negotiating project objectives and design.
- Managing project implementation.
- Monitoring quality.
- Ensuring appropriate donor reporting.
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 includes reviewing work plans, coordinating technical reports, preparing annual reports and undertaking missions connected with technical cooperation.
11. Contribute to Major ILO Programmes
The Regional Desk Officer will contribute to ACTRAV work teams dealing with areas such as:
- 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 required education, professional experience, language and competency requirements.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Education Requirements
Applicants should have an advanced university degree in one of the following areas:
- Economics.
- Labour law.
- Public administration.
- Industrial relations.
- Political science.
- Another relevant field.
A first-level university degree, such as a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, may be accepted instead of an advanced degree if the candidate has an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Experience Requirements
Candidates must have:
- At least 10 years of professional experience at national level dealing with issues related to relations, actions and programmes of workers’ organisations.
- At least 7 years of international-level experience in a senior position.
This makes the position a senior professional opportunity rather than an entry-level or graduate ILO job.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Language Requirements
Applicants need an excellent command of one ILO working language:
- English
- French
- Spanish
Candidates must also have a working knowledge of another ILO working language, and English must be one of the languages.
Therefore, applicants should carefully review their language qualifications before applying for the ILO Regional Desk Officer vacancy.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate advanced technical, managerial, analytical and interpersonal abilities.
Important competencies include:
- In-depth knowledge of the ILO and its policies, programmes and procedures.
- Excellent understanding of workers’ organisations.
- Strong knowledge of labour programmes, issues, practices and policies.
- Understanding of development concerns and regional needs.
- Political insight and sound judgement.
- Diplomacy and discretion.
- Ability to advocate policy changes in difficult circumstances.
- Donor engagement and resource mobilisation skills.
- Strong managerial, financial and administrative judgement.
- Ability to advise senior officials and executive management.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Excellent planning and organisational abilities.
- Ability to represent the ILO at a high level.
- Strong public speaking and communication skills.
- Excellent leadership and management skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good working knowledge of standard computer software.
Behavioural Competencies
The ILO also requires candidates to demonstrate:
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
- Gender-sensitive behaviour.
- Non-discriminatory attitudes and professional conduct.
Who Can Apply for the ILO Regional Desk Officer Job?
Both internal and external candidates are eligible to apply.
The ILO specifically welcomes qualified women and men, including qualified candidates with disabilities.
Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented ILO Member States are particularly welcome.
The ILO also notes that recruitment for this vacancy is subject to the availability of funding.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Recruitment Process
Candidates must complete the online ILO application form.
The recruitment process may include:
- Online application.
- Candidate evaluation.
- Written test or tests.
- Pre-interview competency-based assessment centre, where applicable.
- Interview.
- Final selection.
The ILO indicates that 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 during this period.
Depending on circumstances, the ILO may use video conferencing, teleconferencing, email and other communication technologies during different stages of assessment.
ILO Regional Desk Officer Application Deadline
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean application deadline is:
10 September 2026 at midnight Geneva time.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
How to Apply for the ILO Regional Desk Officer Job
To apply for the ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean position, candidates must complete the official online ILO application.
Applicants should carefully review the vacancy requirements and ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their relevant education, international experience, language abilities, knowledge of workers’ organisations, leadership skills and policy experience.
The ILO states that candidates must use the online application system and follow the instructions provided there.
ILO Jobs Fraud Warning
The ILO does not charge applicants any fee at any stage of recruitment.
Applicants should be cautious of individuals or organisations requesting payment for:
- Application processing.
- Interviews.
- Recruitment.
- Training.
- Employment offers.
- Visa processing.
- Other recruitment-related services.
The ILO also warns that messages originating from addresses other than the official @ilo.org domain should be disregarded.
The ILO does not require applicants to provide bank account details as part of its recruitment process.
ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean 2026: Summary
The ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean vacancy is a senior P5 fixed-term position in Geneva for experienced professionals with substantial national and international experience relating to workers’ organisations and labour issues.
The role combines regional coordination, policy advice, workers’ organisation relations, international representation, development cooperation, donor engagement, project management and senior-level leadership.
Candidates should ensure that they meet the education, experience and language requirements before submitting their application.
Key Vacancy Facts
Position: Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean
ILO Grade: P5
Job ID: 13733
Vacancy Number: CALL/P/2026/8
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Contract: Fixed Term
Department: ACTRAV
Published: 10 August 2026
Deadline: 10 September 2026, midnight Geneva time
Experience: 10 years national experience, including 7 years international experience in a senior position
Languages: Excellent English, French or Spanish plus working knowledge of another ILO working language, with English required among the languages
Official ILO Regional Desk Officer Application Link
Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the official ILO online recruitment system:
Apply Now – ILO Regional Desk Officer – Latin America and Caribbean
For the official vacancy information, candidates should rely on the ILO Jobs recruitment platform and the instructions provided in the official application system.
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