ILO: Project Support Assistant – East Jerusalem

Introduction

The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is the only tripartite UN agency – bringing together government, employer and worker representatives to elaborate labour standards and policies and promote decent work in different parts of the world.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has developed an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to address the severe impact of the ongoing war on Palestinian workers and employers. Mandated by the ILO Governing Body’s November 2023 decision and aligned with the Decent Work Programme for the Occupied Palestinian Territory (2023–25), the ERP aims to strengthen national systems and enhance the role of tripartite constituents in crisis response. Guided by the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205), the plan builds on the ILO’s expertise in labour market recovery and integrates decent work principles into emergency relief and early recovery. It operates within the broader United Nations relief and recovery framework to address the urgent needs of the Palestinian labour market.

The ERP is structured around three interconnected pillars—Relief, Review, and Recovery—in line with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The ILO is currently implementing the Recovery Pillar, which aims to restore jobs and businesses in Gaza and the West Bank through three core components: Employment Promotion, Social Protection, and Business Recovery. These efforts ensure that emergency action not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to long-term economic resilience.

In addition, the ILO launched a project in 2023, funded by the European Commission, focusing on youth NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in Southern Neighbourhood Countries. The project will pilot innovative policy approaches to identify, engage, and provide employment and training services to underserved NEET youth in the MENA region. Its objective is to make public policies and practices in targeted countries more effective and responsive to the needs of young NEETs. The project focuses on three main outcomes: enabling stakeholders to contribute to the design of innovative and more effective policy approaches on education, training, and employment for NEET youth; supporting public employment services and other providers to prepare and improve resources for tailored outreach and services; and engaging local actors to pilot customised youth NEET schemes that respond to the specific profiles and needs of this population.

The official will be responsible in assisting the planning and the organizing of the projects activities and as per the duties outlined in the description below. The official will be based in the in Jerusalem under ROAS – Beirut. The Project Assistant is a crucial link with the partners of the projects and will be responsible for multiple financial and administrative tasks.

Reporting Lines:

Under the general supervision of the Representative of the ILO office in Jerusalem and under the direct technical supervision of the EIIP Technical Officer, the project assistant will perform the following tasks:

Description of Duties

• Draft standard correspondence, type and format a variety of documents related to project activities.
• Provide support for of meetings, seminars and workshops concerning the projects.
• Prepares necessary documents for all procurement and tendering activities required for the project in line with the ILO Rules and Regulations and present to the ILO Office in Jerusalem for processing.
• Assists in the follow-up of the daily activities and ensure the smooth implementation with the ability to resolve any administrative problem arising within the implementation process and ensure reporting to the responsible officer.
• Assists in preparing all necessary Project documentation, workplans, budgets and budget revisions, financial and technical reports.
• Coordinates communications and meetings of the project staff and visiting missions.
• Maintain files, databases and official records related to project activities. Search and select relevant information and records for officials upon request.
• Prepare and process transactions in IRIS including contracts, travel requests, purchase orders, purchase requisitions and external payment authorisations.
• Develops a complete filling system for the project and keep all technical, financial, personnel and administrative documentation in the proper files.
• Perform other relate duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Completion of secondary school education.

Experience

At least three years’ experience in general office management and clerical support work.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of one working language English, and good working knowledge of Arabic.

Competencies

• Ability to organize own work.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments, organize own schedule, perform routine work independently, meet deadlines and adapt to changing demands and multiple tasks.
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office.
• Ability to obtain services from other work units inside or outside the office for completion of tasks.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and manage a heavy workload under time pressure.
• Knowledge of practices and procedures for preparing administrative documents and maintaining filing systems.
• Ability to draft correspondence and correct documents in accordance with established standards.
• Ability to work with accuracy and to pay attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Customer service skills in order to provide courteous, prompt and efficient responses to clients.
• Understanding of principles of non-discrimination and gender equality.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.