National Project Officer - Skills Development

Grade: NOA 

Vacancy no.: DC/SUDAN/NO/2026/09
Publication date: 05 August 2026
Application deadline (midnight local time): 25 August 2026

Job ID: 13760 
Department: RO-Africa 
Organization Unit: CO-Addis Ababa 
Location: Khartoum   
Contract type: Fixed Term 

Contract duration: One year and three months (as of 01/10/2026) 

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates* 

*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.

Large mixed migration movements continue to top the global political agenda, as reflected in the 2016 UN New York Declaration, and remain at the forefront of concerns, discussions, and collaboration across the multilateral system and beyond. These movements create considerable challenges for countries of first asylum, transit and destination, as well as countries of origin, including through impact on socio-economic environments, such as labour markets of host countries, particularly where these may have already been under pressure and there is high unemployment. The majority of refugee populations are hosted by low- and middle-income countries. As displacement has become increasingly protracted, responses are becoming more focused on durable solutions to support more dignified, inclusive, and comprehensive programmes for refugees and the communities that host them to facilitate self-reliance and empowerment and strengthen social cohesion.

In this context, the Government of the Netherlands launched a partnership initiative– the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme– built on the combined strengths, experience, and values of specific development and humanitarian organizations to develop a new paradigm in responding to forced displacement crises. The partners include: the Government of the Netherlands, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the ILO, the UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank. Grounded on results-based and country-led approaches (“bottom up”) in two identified regions of MENA and the Horn of Africa, the Partnership aims to help transform the way governments and other stakeholders, including the private sector, respond to forced displacement crises – and in particular: (1) to enhance the enabling environment for the socio-economic inclusion of forcibly displaced persons (to mitigate their plight during years of exile and to best prepare them for their return); (2) to enhance access to education and child protection for vulnerable children on the move; and (3) to strengthen the resilience of host communities through inclusive socio-economic development that also benefits forcibly displaced persons.

The ILO brings to the programme significant expertise and experience in supporting enabling environments to underpin inclusive socio-economic growth and decent work, strengthen labour markets and promote access to improved working conditions and fundamental rights at work, including through the involvement of its tripartite national constituents. The ILO contributes to stimulating labour market demand and immediate job creation through employment-intensive investment, local economic and business development and promotion of specific value chains and market systems, and support to strengthen inclusive social protection systems.

It is against this background ILO is partnering with UNICEF and UNHCR to implement a project on Inclusive and Protection Sensitive Water Supply Rehabilitation through skilled labour-based works for Conflict Affected Communities in Khartoum. The ILO therefore seeks to recruit a National Project Officer, with technical grounding on Skills, to be based in Khartoum. The National Project Officer- Skills, will support the PROSPECTS Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for Ethiopia and Sudan in the specified technical areas across and in the context of the Partnership. S/he will ensure that the objectives stated in the programme documents are attained at field level, within the stated timeframe and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO and the programme's financial and operating procedures

The inclusive and protection sensitive water supply rehabilitation through skilled labour-based works Project

Years of conflict and recurrent power disruptions have severely degraded Khartoum’s urban water supply system, leaving Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) and distribution networks operating far below their designed capacity. Major facilities such as Almanara, Soba and Saliha have sustained extensive damage to intake structures, filtration units, pumps, disinfection systems and electrical controls, sharply reducing production volumes and increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks among displaced and host communities. In parallel, trunk mains and secondary distribution networks face significant leakage, illegal connections and chronic low-pressure zones, resulting in high nonrevenue water and service disruptions. Without targeted rehabilitation and improved operational oversight, vulnerable internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees and residents of informal settlements continue to access unsafe water, escalating coping costs and heightened exposure to preventable public health threats.

To address these critical gaps, the PROSPECTS Partnership time-bound rehabilitation programme will focus on the Almanara, Soba and Saliha WTPs and the interconnected transmission and distribution networks serving Omdurman. The project aims to restore safe, reliable water supply for conflict affected and host communities by repairing damaged electromechanical components, improving treatment efficiency, and reducing system losses across priority corridors. The project will promote inclusive recovery, labour-based approaches and skills development, and social cohesion to ensure acceptability, longterm added value through capacity and skills development of the interventions for all communities engaged. While doing so, the project will explore means to help Khartoum State Water Corporation (KSWC) enhance skilled labor force in its own structures, and areas of operations to strengthen the long-term sustainability and resilience of the water systems. The intervention builds on UNICEF’s well established urban WASH footprint in Khartoum and its longstanding partnership with the Khartoum State Water Corporation (KSWC) and will be implemented jointly with UNHCR and ILO.

For this project, the ILO will assess and facilitate opportunities for re-activating and upskilling workforce (including women, youth and vulnerable groups) that can contribute to the repairs, as well as operations and maintenance of the targeted water systems  following the  ILO EIIP and skills development approach that integrates technical skills with  occupational Safety and Health and promote the establishment of small enterprises to support the operation, maintenance, and longterm sustainability of rehabilitated facilities.

The position, National Project Officer- Skills, works under the supervision of the PROSPECTS Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for Ethiopia and Sudan who is leading country-level implementation of the PROSPECTS programmes for all operational, technical and administrative issues to ensure delivery of technical-related outputs and overall project implementation. S/he will also receive additional technical support and supervision from the Technical Officer/Deputy Programme Manager Based in Sudan, Decent Work Team Skills and Employability specialist based in Cairo and from the ILO Country Office Director. Synergies and technical collaboration will be with the National Project Coordinators Enterprise and Employment Intensive Investment Programme, both based in Sudan, while working closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer also based in Sudan.  

• In coordination with the Chief Technical Advisor, analyse economic and labour market trends and employment priorities in host communities and refugees’ settlements in order to help align skills development interventions of the project with the broader policy frameworks and employment creation potentials.
• Support effective implementation of the programme through the provision of inputs, the delivery of outputs, and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities. Deliverables and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programmes, and the administrative and financial procedures in consultation with the CTA and ILO CO-Addis.
• Support the effective management of funds/budgets allocated to the programme, in accordance with ILO rules and regulations.
• Provide support to relevant technical staff from government agencies, ILO social partners and other key national and international partners, in close collaboration with the CTA, Technical Officer/Deputy Programme Manager, ILO CO-Addis, DWT Cairo and HQ units as relevant and within the context of the Decent Work Country Programme.
• Support efforts to strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with technical government agencies, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, other development organizations, target groups and donors in the planning and implementation of programme activities.
• Provide inputs in the design and support for capacity building of selected implementing and collaborating project partners to facilitate knowledge, awareness and smoother implementation of skills development programmes and initiatives in the water sectors.
• Initiate and maintain partnerships with organisations working on education and training and building synergies with other skills initiatives in Sudan with particular focus on host communities and refuges.
• Support the coordination of project implementation including through discussions with project implementing partners, field visits, development and analysis of progress reports, and participation in reviews and evaluations determining targets delivery
• Support the design and implementation of project skills development interventions and workforce development strategies for the water sector, ensuring alignment with ILO standards, the PROSPECTS Programme, and Sudan's TVET frameworks, while addressing critical skills shortages in priority occupations

• Design, coordinate and monitor apprenticeship, work-based learning and skills development programmes, including providing technical inputs for the development of training plans, competency-based curricula, tools, manuals, assessment and certification systems, and other learning materials related to skills development and recognition; while liaising with contractors, KSWC, TVET institutions, training providers and employers to ensure effective delivery of on-the-job training and apprenticeship programmes in line with ILO standards and Recommendation No. 208 on Quality Apprenticeships

• Support the integration of skills development into labour-based water infrastructure rehabilitation works by working closely with contractors, engineers and implementing partners to embed training, mentoring, competency development and work-based learning opportunities within rehabilitation activities, ensuring that targeted beneficiaries gain practical skills and meaningful employment in the restoration, operation and maintenance of water transmission systems and distribution networks
• Support efforts as required and in consultation with the CTA to ensure the meaningful engagement of the ILO in areas of planning, implementation and follow-up to the UN Sudan Interim Cooperation Framework, including participation in and contribution to relevant working groups, committees, forums and networks relating to these initiatives and strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with the Commission of Refugees (COR) and Khartoum Water Cooperation (KWS).
• In consultation with the CTA, support efforts to develop information databases covering programme activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programmes.
• Identify training needs of partners and, in consultation with the CTA, organize and deliver training workshops for tripartite partners, relevant UN agencies and target groups as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.
• Participate in meetings related to the project as well as with other UN agencies (including UNICF processes), donors field visits and thematic donor meetings, county level as well as Sector meetings of tripartite partners.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Country Officer Director or Chief Technical Adviser

• First-level University degree (BA or equivalent) in development, social science, economics, labour, technical and vocational education, Water Engineering, Civil Engineering or a related discipline/field.

• At least two years’ experience in the area of skills development, project design, management and implementation. Experience working with the United Nations, relevant sector ministries- labour, TVET or other government ministries, departments and agencies, would be an added advantage, as would experience of working in crisis and refugee settings of Sudan.

• Good knowledge of Skills development, TVET expertise, labour market, enterprise and employment promotion, as well as economic developments, poverty reduction, and social policies. Knowledge of the policy making process.

• Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Good knowledge of the market systems approach and entrepreneurship promotion tools
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research.
• Ability to promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Excellent computer/information application skills, including word processing, excel, power point etc.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Good knowledge of ILO programme and budget, project formulation and evaluation techniques and practices as well as knowledge of ILO social partners is essential.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

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