National Project Coordinator, Freetown

Grade: NOA

Vacancy no.: DC/ABUJA/NO/2026/04
Publication date: 09 November 2026
Application deadline (midnight local time): 16 November 2026

Job ID: 13932
Department: RO-Africa
Organization Unit: CO-Abuja
Location: Freetown
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration:

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. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. 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.

Introduction

The RBSA-funded project SLE152, “Strengthening Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Improved Protection of Women and Persons with Disabilities”, will be implemented nationally in Sierra Leone from November 2026 to October 2028. It aims to strengthen national capacity to promote gender equality, non-discrimination and equal treatment and opportunity through three linked areas: workplace equality and inclusion; the care economy and maternity protection; and prevention of violence and harassment, including GBVH.

The National Project Coordinator will coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the RBSA project, ensuring timely delivery of the approved workplan, budget and expected results and effective engagement with tripartite constituents and other partners.

The incumbent will provide project coordination, monitoring, reporting and stakeholder liaison, and will ensure that gender equality, disability inclusion and non-discrimination are integrated across project activities.

Reporting lines

The position reports to the Country Director of the ILO Abuja Country Office and receives technical guidance from the GEDI Specialist and other relevant ILO technical specialists. The incumbent will work closely with the Programme Unit and other relevant project teams, tripartite constituents, technical partners and project consultants/service providers.

Description of Duties

The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the following major tasks:

1. Prepare and update of project workplans, activity schedules and budgets, and oversee day-to-day implementation in line with the approved RBSA proposal, in consultation with the direct supervisor.
2. Maintain effective working relationships with tripartite constituents, relevant ministries and institutions, civil society, UN partners and other stakeholders, and support inclusive social dialogue and coordination.
3. Facilitate activities on workplace gender equality and non-discrimination, including the National Gender Equality Workplace Policy, gender-responsive labour inspection tools, TAGE capacity building and the pay equity study.
4. Facilitate care-economy activities, including the C183 review and roadmap, care assessments, support to the National Care Policy, CareCOOP/SSE initiatives and labour-protection tools for care and domestic workers.
5. Facilitate C190/R206 and GBVH activities, including the national gap analysis and Plan of Action, model workplace policies and codes of conduct, reporting/referral measures, awareness and training.
6. Prepare terms of reference and coordinate consultants, service providers and technical inputs, following up on deliverables and quality assurance with relevant ILO specialists.
7. Organize and support consultations, workshops, training activities and field missions, ensuring inclusive, accessible and gender-responsive participation and appropriate safeguards.
8. Monitor project expenditure, procurement and administrative follow-up with the Admin and Finance Assistant; identify implementation risks or delays and propose timely corrective action.
9. Monitor results and indicators; prepare progress reports, briefs and implementation updates; and document lessons, good practices and opportunities for replication, partnerships and resource mobilization.
10. Perform other project-related duties as may be assigned by the Country Director.

Required qualifications

Education

First-level university degree in gender or development studies, social sciences, labour studies, public policy, law, economics or another relevant field.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience at national level in project coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Experience in gender equality, labour standards, social dialogue, employment or social policy, and in working with government and social partners, would be an advantage.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of gender equality and non-discrimination in the world of work, project management and policy processes. Familiarity with care-economy issues, maternity protection, violence and harassment/GBVH and relevant ILO standards would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of the working language of the duty station and a good knowledge of English.

Competencies

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures, and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in specific countries.
• Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations.
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
• Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, as well as to work on his/her own initiative.
• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

Recruitment process

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

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.