ILO National Project Officer Jobs 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is inviting applications for the position of National Project Officer in Pretoria, South Africa. This opportunity is suited to professionals with experience in project coordination, development cooperation, skills development, employment promotion and programme management.
The successful candidate will support the implementation of the Opportunity-Driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training (OP-VET) initiative, which aims to strengthen vocational education and training across Africa by connecting skills development with real employment opportunities.
The position offers an opportunity to contribute to regional development programmes involving African institutions, international partners and government stakeholders.
ILO National Project Officer Vacancy 2026: Overview
- Organisation: International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Job Title: National Project Officer
- Job Grade: NOA
- Job ID: 13842
- Vacancy Number: DC/PRETORIA/NO/2026/01
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
- Contract Type: Fixed-term
- Contract Duration: One year, with the possibility of extension
- Publication Date: 23 October 2026
- Application Deadline: 6 November 2026
- Field: Project Coordination, Skills Development and International Development
Applicants should note that extensions depend on funding availability, continuing programme requirements, and satisfactory performance. The position is associated with a technical cooperation project and does not guarantee further employment with the ILO.
About the Opportunity-Driven VET Programme
The European Union’s Opportunity-Driven VET Action supports the development of vocational education and training systems across Africa. The initiative seeks to align training opportunities with employment prospects created by investments under the Global Gateway strategy.
The ILO is working with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to implement the five-year Opportunity-Driven Skills and VET in Africa project under the Africa–Europe Cooperation Mechanism on Skills.
The programme supports broader African development priorities, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and continental strategies for technical and vocational education and training.
A Programme Coordination Desk will operate under AUDA-NEPAD’s leadership to strengthen coordination across the initiative’s five pillars. The National Project Officer will help ensure that implementing partners share information, coordinate activities and work towards common objectives.
Although the position is based at AUDA-NEPAD premises, it forms part of the ILO’s Decent Work Technical Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa in Pretoria.
Key Responsibilities
The National Project Officer will support the coordination, implementation and monitoring of programme activities across participating institutions and countries.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the day-to-day operations of the OP-VET Programme Coordination Desk.
- Coordinating activities across the programme’s five pillars and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
- Maintaining communication with AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities, African Union Member States and implementing partners.
- Monitoring implementation progress, milestones, deliverables and agreed actions.
- Preparing progress reports, briefing notes, meeting minutes and technical documentation.
- Organising workshops, consultations, coordination meetings and programme events.
- Supporting engagement with government institutions, employers’ organisations and workers’ organisations.
- Contributing to the implementation and dissemination of continental skills development and vocational education policies.
- Documenting lessons learned, good practices and opportunities to scale successful interventions.
- Maintaining programme records and supporting country-level activities and coordination missions.
The role also involves promoting gender equality, inclusion and non-discrimination throughout programme implementation.
Education and Experience Requirements
Applicants must hold a first-level university degree, such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in a relevant field.
Acceptable disciplines include international development, international relations, political science, education, vocational education and training, public policy, project or programme management, and social sciences.
Training or certification in project or programme management would be an advantage.
Candidates must have at least two years of professional experience in programme coordination, project management, development cooperation, skills development, vocational education and training, employment promotion or a related field.
Additional experience in development programmes, monitoring and reporting, stakeholder engagement, and organising technical events would be beneficial. Familiarity with the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities, United Nations agencies or other international organisations is also an advantage.
Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong organisational, communication and drafting skills, together with the ability to coordinate activities involving multiple stakeholders.
Candidates should understand programme administration, budgeting and evaluation concepts and be able to interpret project information to identify implementation challenges.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, as well as web browsers and database applications, is required.
The ILO also emphasises integrity, transparency, collaboration, accountability, quality orientation, adaptability and sensitivity to diversity. Applicants should be comfortable working independently and within multicultural teams while meeting deadlines.
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of the working language of the duty station and a good knowledge of English.
How to Apply for ILO Jobs in South Africa
Interested candidates should submit their applications online through the official ILO Jobs website. Applicants should review the vacancy requirements carefully and ensure that their qualifications and professional experience are accurately reflected in the application form.
The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.
The ILO welcomes applications from qualified women and encourages applications from persons with disabilities.
Application deadline: 6 November 2026.
The ILO does not charge application, interview, processing or training fees at any stage of its recruitment process.
Final Thoughts
The ILO National Project Officer vacancy offers professionals in Pretoria an opportunity to contribute to regional skills development, employment promotion and international development cooperation.
Candidates with experience in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, programme monitoring and reporting may find this opportunity particularly relevant.
For professionals interested in strengthening vocational education and connecting skills development with employment opportunities across Africa, this position offers the chance to contribute to an important continental initiative.
