Technical Officer - P3 (DC)

Vacancy no.: DC/LUSAKA/P/2026/05
Publication date: 23 January 2026
Application deadline (midnight local time): 5 February 2026

Job ID: 13477
Department: RO-Africa
Organization Unit: CO-Lusaka
Location: Lusaka
Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: 1 year

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 present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

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.

The following are eligible to apply:

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.

*Please note, the duration of the project is only for 1 year (subject to availability of funds) and selected candidate of the competition will be required to commence on the post no later than 30 March 2026.

Introduction

The ILO has received funding from the Government of Japan to support the Central Province in improving the management of electronic waste and in the process creating Jobs for youths. This project will train Trainers from the Province’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) Colleges as well as youths, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in e-waste reuse, recycling and sustainable disposal. The participants will also be trained in financial and business management and assisted to set up their own businesses. The project shall also arrange workplace learning for some youth beneficiaries.

The project’s development objective is to contribute towards establishing a sustainable e-waste management model that generates green employment for vulnerable youth (with a focus on women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Central Province. Over a 12-month period (April 2026 to March 2027), the project will generate short-term decent green jobs opportunities, train unemployed youth in e-waste recycling and business skills, support them to form micro-enterprises, facilitate short-term decent work opportunities for youth and strengthen the policy framework for safe e-waste management. By project end, at least 100 young people (50% women, including PwDs) will gain technical and entrepreneurial skills through project-supported training and structured work-based learning opportunities (including some of the youth completing WBL/apprenticeships), and will access decent green jobs opportunities, while local institutions adopt improved e-waste regulations and practices. These outcomes contribute directly to SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), 5 (Gender Equality), and 13 (Climate Action) by fostering inclusive green employment, sustainable waste management, and reduced pollution. The project Key Outcomes include (1) enhanced local capacity to safely manage e-waste; (2) creating short-term green jobs for youth (especially women and PwDs) through e-waste collection, recycling activities and structured work-based learning (WBL); (3) strengthening an entrepreneurship ecosystem that enables youth-led green businesses to grow and create future decent work; and (4) establishing a circular economy model aligned with national and global sustainability goals.

Due to the nature of the project activities and time bound (with no possibility of extension) nature of the project.

Reporting lines:

- The Technical Officer report directly to the Country Director under CO-Lusaka and will receive technical guidance, supervision and backstopping from the Decent Work Team Senior Specialist for EIIP based in Pretoria and EMPINVEST at the HQ.

- He/she will also oversee the work of national officers, support staff, international experts, international and national consultants hired during the project period. The incumbent will also work closely with the Senior Managers of Partner National and Provincial Government Departments and Municipalities

Description of Duties

1. Assist in the management and implementation of the project by providing technical inputs, planning, monitoring and evaluation of project activities. Ensure conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and Office procedures and practices.

2. Provide technical advice and support to project staff and national partners in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities, in coordination with the ILO Field Offices and HQ.

3. Conduct research and integrate technical inputs for regional and country analyses, reports and publications related to the project and prepare discussion notes.

4. Develop training materials and conduct seminars and workshops.

5. Under technical guidance of the responsible supervisor, maintain close liaison with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, and UN/non-governmental organizations, to discuss matters and follow up on a broad range of country programmes and projects. Maintain working contacts and collaboration with multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and draft proposals for funding.

6. Co-ordinate, promote linkages and share good practices and lessons learnt with other relevant ILO projects/programs, ILO units and external stakeholders.

7. Promote ILO policies regarding the project/programme, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards through coordination with a range of relevant national policies and the strategies of various projects, including those being undertaken by other agencies or in complementary fields of activity. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

8. Undertake missions in relation to project implementation.

9. Undertake other duties as required by the direct supervisor or EIIP Specialists.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in Engineering, Environmental Management, Environmental Economics, or another relevant field.

OR

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience in solid waste management. Prior experience in development projects in Southern Africa, particularly in Zambia is an advantage. Experience in waste management, especially e-waste or circular economy models, is highly desirable. Familiarity with environmental impact assessments, regulatory compliance, and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in waste management is also an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of English is required.

Competencies

- Good knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of circular economy and electronic waste in particular.
- Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities.
- Knowledge of IT applications for information collection, management and dissemination.
- Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
- Ability to identify sources and develop methods for data collection.
- Good research and analytical skills.
- Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
- Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
- Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
- Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
- Ability to adapt quickly to new IT software and systems.
- Good communication and presentation skills. Persuasion and ability to present technical arguments to convince counterparts on a course of action.
- Ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and work well in a tripartite context.
- Ability to present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO's position on it to partners using a wide range of techniques and technologies.
- Ability to assess, adapt and amend individual and group assignments (policies, approaches, models) to meet new or changed needs and situations.
- Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
- Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance in the technical area
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Conditions of employment

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Recruitment process

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

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

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.