National Project Coordinator

Introduction

The International Labour Organisation is implementing a range of interventions in Pakistan to advance decent work and promote the application of International Labour Standards (ILS), in alignment with the following four national priorities outlined in the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2023–2027.

1. Promoting decent work at the core of Pakistan's economic recovery and response to climate change, natural disasters and crises.
2. Promoting social protection coverage for all
3. Strengthening the application of ILS, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), and harmonious industrial relations, including through enhanced social dialogue.
4. Promoting workplaces which are safe, healthy, gender-responsive, and free of violence and harassment

A key area of focus for Pakistan is labour migration, with over nine million overseas Pakistanis contributing significantly through remittances and skills transfer. However, challenges such as high recruitment costs, fraudulent practices, limited opportunities for women, and weak institutional frameworks continue to hinder safe and fair migration. Building on previous efforts under projects such as REFRAME and GOALS, the ILO is now implementing the project "Enhancing Partners' Capacity on Decent Work and International Labour Standards for Labour Migration from Pakistan to Promote Safe and Legal Migration." This initiative is being carried out in cooperation with the Centers for Migration and Development (ZME–GIZ) and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The ILO Country Office for Pakistan, through this project, seeks to strengthen migration governance by aligning Pakistan's legal and policy frameworks with ILS, particularly ILO Convention No. 181, while promoting ethical recruitment and inclusive migration pathways. It aims to build institutional capacity, expand skills opportunities, and raise awareness among aspirant migrant workers, especially women and marginalized groups, on fair, safe and legal migration channels. Through policy reform, capacity development, awareness-raising, and strengthened tripartite social dialogue, the initiative supports Pakistan's commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, the National Emigration and Welfare Policy 2024, and the UN Global Compact for Migration.

The project is expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Development of revised legal and policy frameworks to promote fair and ethical recruitment and safe migration standards.
• Improved migration governance through enhanced institutional and stakeholder capacity, increased awareness, and stronger collaboration among government, employers, workers, and civil society.

To ensure effective coordination, technical delivery, and stakeholder engagement, the ILO Country Office for Pakistan will require the services of a dedicated National Project Coordinator to support planning, implementation, reporting, and monitoring of activities.

Reporting Line

The incumbent will report to the Country Director, working in close coordination with the programme team at the ILO Country Office in Islamabad, as well as relevant specialists and technical teams in the Decent Work Team (DWT) and ILO Headquarters (HQ). The incumbent will be responsible for supervising the project team and managing project-related human resources according to ILO rules and regulations. Project progress reports will be prepared by the NPC as per the agreement with BMZ.

Description of Duties

1. Lead the timely implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project through effective management functions, including technical and administrative supervision of the project team, in line with ILO policies, rules, and regulations, and according to the approved project document and work plan.
2. Contribute to project development and implementation by preparing work plans, drafting inputs for project proposals, budgets, background notes, and progress reviews. Monitor project progress by reviewing and analysing work plans, reports, and data for clarity, consistency, and completeness, ensuring the integration of gender equality and non-discrimination throughout activities.
3. Identify implementation challenges, propose solutions, and follow up with ILO headquarters, the Decent Work Team, government institutions, funding partners, executing agencies, and constituents to expedite delivery and meet agreed targets.
4. Provide technical support and policy advice to government institutions, employers' and workers' organizations, and other stakeholders on migration governance, ethical recruitment, and alignment with ILS, including advocacy for the ratification of ILO Convention No. 181.
5. Organize and oversee training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and awareness-raising activities for government officials, recruitment agencies, workers' and employers' organizations, CSOs, and aspirant migrants on migration governance, fair recruitment, decent work, and rights at work.
6. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including legal and policy gap analyses, research, and evidence-based recommendations, to strengthen labour migration governance frameworks in line with ILO conventions and good practices.
7. Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government institutions (federal and provincial), employers' and workers' organisations, private recruitment agencies, CSOs, diaspora groups, and international partners (e.g. GIZ, IOM, UN agencies) for the effective planning and implementation of project activities.
8. Establish and manage systems to document project activities, lessons learned, and good practices, ensuring linkages to the DWCP IV priorities, SDGs, and Pakistan's National Emigration and Welfare Policy 2024.
9. Organize and coordinate the meetings of the Project Steering Committee and operational committees as envisioned under the governance framework, including all preparatory and follow-up actions, and act as Secretariat for these meetings.
10. Develop and maintain strong working links with ILO specialists within the Decent Work Team/s in and technical experts at ILO headquarters, as well as colleagues in other ILO projects and programmes in Pakistan.
11. Prepare and submit technical progress reports, donor updates, and ad hoc reports for ILO, BMZ/GIZ, and other stakeholders; support monitoring and facilitate periodic evaluations of all project components as required.
12. Oversee effective administrative and financial management of the project, including guidance and supervision of personnel, budget control, expenditure forecasts, and recommendations for remedial actions when necessary.
13. Ensure visibility and communication of the project at national and international levels by liaising with the key stakeholders and the media to strengthen coordination, promote project objectives, and highlight the ILO's role in advancing fair and safe migration.
14. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualificationsEducation

University degree in Labour Migration Governance, Labour Studies, Economics, Management, Social Sciences, Public Policy, International Relations, or other relevant fields.

Experience

• Minimum of three years' professional experience in labour migration governance, including policy development, fair recruitment, skills for migration, or reintegration.
• Proven experience in project management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation at the national level, with oversight of teams, budgets, and work plans.
• Demonstrated ability to work with government, employers' and workers' organizations, civil society, and development partners, including policy dialogue with senior officials.
• Experience in internationally funded technical cooperation projects related to migration, decent work, or labour standards.
• Strong background in research, policy analysis, and evidence-based reporting on migration and labour issues.
• Practical experience in capacity-building, training, and awareness-raising on migration and labour rights.
• Knowledge of international labour standards, migration frameworks, and fair recruitment practices.

Languages

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Fluency in Urdu and/or a regional language for effective communication with national and provincial stakeholders will be considered as an asset.

Other competencies

• Good knowledge about social, economic development, including labor and employment, trends in the country
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organizations.
• Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
• Ability to conduct action oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
• Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
• Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
• Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
• Ability to train and guide personnel.
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in diversified environments.
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.

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.

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.

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