A former ILO colleague of mine shared the below opportunity. If interested, check it out but be quick, the deadline for application is midnight Ukraine time, September 2, 2025.
Excellent skills in English is a requirement; knowledge of Ukrainian an advantage. The project focuses on labour issues.
I had the pleasure of working on projects with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the past, once as Chief Technical Advisor on the TVET Reform project in Bangladesh (7 years), and as a short-term consultant in employment policy in Afghanistan (before the Taliban takeover).
You can find my experiences with the ILO, amongst others, described in my book “Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points In-Between” available from this website or from AMAZON.
In my career, I have previously worked for various UN specialized agencies including the ILO, FAO, UNESCO, ITU and UNESCO but never for UNOPS. But I have worked previously in Afghanistan which is where a current UN assignment is becoming available. See here:
If you would like to apply, check the actual job posting at:
The application period is shown as August 10 – August 27, 2025.
If I were you, I would first read the information on “How to send a good application” first. You can also learn about other job opportunities at UNOPS on the their site.
If you would like to read about my time in Afghanistan in 2007, you will find a chapter in my book “Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points in-Between”.
Good luck in your application. The people there need assistance.
The following opportunity was shared with me by Dr. Julia Dicum, Director of Education at UNRWA.
UNRWA has a TVET programme that serves about 8,000 Palestine Refugee Youth and a similarly structured even smaller education sciences faculty programme (pre-service teacher training only) that serves about 2,000 Palestine refugee youth (mostly females). We are looking for a 6-month TVET/skills-based higher education consultant to advise us on sustainability models for the future management/governance of TVET and educational sciences (pre-service education training).
The JO TVET Consultant / P4 #262571 is online now. For easy reference, please follow the link below:
Note that UNRWA has programs in Gaza, the Occupied West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
This assignment is a transformational opportunity for the right person. Unfortunately, I am not available. I did work with UNRWA in TVET in the 2005-2007 period. My experience is described in a chapter of my book Overseas Adventures….
UNRWA Representative Office in Cairo is looking for a Communications and Advocacy Consultant to join our small, dynamic team and help amplify the Agency’s mission and advocacy for Palestine refugees.
If you’re passionate about strategic communications, storytelling, and building media partnerships in a fast-paced humanitarian context, this role is for you.
Some of the things you’ll be doing:
✨Shape UNRWA’s voice in hashtag#Egypt and the region through press, social media, and impactful communication products. ✨Craft stories that matter, producing newsletters, advocacy content, and media messaging. ✨Engage the media landscape with leading local and regional journalists and organize interviews and press events. ✨Position UNRWA at high-level events and support multilateral engagements in Egypt.
If you have five years of experience and a passion for communications and humanitarian advocacy, this is a great opportunity to put your skills to work in a meaningful way.
UNESCO Office in Afghanistan is recruiting a Programme Specialist (Skills Development and Literacy Education). The deadline for the application is 9 June 2025. https://lnkd.in/dBbf_YA7
I had a quick scan of this opportunity, and it looks both interesting and challenging. I believe the requirement that candidates need a PhD maybe raising the bar too high but that is just my opinion.
In 2007, when the situation in Afghanistan was relatively calm, I had an assignment with the International Labour Organization to start development of a National Employment Policy. It was an intense but worthwhile experience, and many of the international consultants and advisors who were there at the same time would probably say the same thing. With Afghan colleagues we made a difference in health, education, infrastructure development and in other areas. (You can read more about my Afghan experience in my book available from this website.)
Times have changed, but this is your chance to help the young women of Afghanistan.
Below are a couple of pictures from my time in Afghanistan. I wonder if the co-op shown in picture 1 is still operating.
The Dominica Technical Vocational Education and Training Council (DTVETC) seeks comprehensive support to develop a 5-year strategic plan to support TVET in the country, including institutional strengthening for the New Goodwill Secondary School (GSS) TVET Center of Excellence. Catalyste+ contacted me for the short assignment as Strategic Planning Advisor.
The TVET Council belongs to an organization named CANTA – Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies. See their member countries below. The map also serves the purpose of showing where Dominica is located. (And no, Dominica is not the Dominican Republic.)
The in-county assignment will be about 2 weeks with a possible follow-up visit some time later. The parallel virtual assignment has already started with a kick-off meeting via ZOOM last week, and the first technical working group meeting coming up this Thursday.
I look forward to sharing my international expertise with the wonderful people of Dominica and advising officials as they develop the strategy.
This morning I received the below message from UNV Malawi about the value of UN Volunteering and how to apply.
I need no convincing since as Team Leader on the STEP Malawi program, we hired two excellent communications volunteers. There are different categories of volunteers, and in particular, national versus international volunteers. Some assignments are in country, others are online/remote.
If interested, you can create a profile at https://app.unv.org as indicated in the image below. And also check there, the type of assignments available and where.
Recently, I have been exchanging emails with Dr. Julia Dicum (Head of Education for UNRWA) about the development situation in its areas of operation. There are many challenges and some bright spots. One of the bright spots is that UNRWA is recruiting a P-3 (mid-level professional) TVET person with funding through KOICA (Korean development agency).
To find out more or to apply, go to the UN Careers website.
Please note that candidates must have a good command of English, and also preferably, Arabic and Korean language skills.
GOOD LUCK.
PS. Even if you are not applying for this post, you might want to check out how this UN website organizes its vacancy announcements, and what sort of requirements are stated.
Dear BLOG followers and friends. I hope you recall that this week is International Development Week. Hurrah! What are you doing to promote this week?
Although with the Trump administration’s freeze on US AID, there may indeed be more to worry about than to celebrate. (Please tell me what I saw on CNN today about Elon Musk recommending USAID be scrapped to save money was just an illusion.)
Being more positive, I would like to share what the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) has planned for the week – everything from cooking demonstrations to trivia games.
For those interested in obtaining an international internship and who reside in the Atlantic provinces, you can find out more at their Zoom meeting tomorrow. (TUESDAY, May 4, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, AST. Go to their newsletter, and click on the LEARN More button.)
Good luck everybody, including our friends in the USA, who are celebrating this International Development Week 2025.
KEEP WELL AND DOING GOOD.
UPDATE – February 4
The internship opportunities for Summer 2024 are available here.
As those who read my BLOG will know, I was a CUSO volunteer teacher in Nigeria in the early 1970s and a CUSO Field Staff Officer in Ghana in the mid-70s. Those were exciting days and life-changing experiences. I am pleased to share with you news from CUSO International about an upcoming VIRTUAL Town Hall where you can learn about volunteering with CUSO.
See the rest of the announcement from CUSO International below, especially the date, time and link to join the conversation and ask questions. I highly recommend the virtual town hall to you.
Imagine yourself immersed in vibrant cultures, working side-by-side with local communities to create lasting change. Picture the friendships you’ll forge, the skills you’ll develop, and the unforgettable memories you’ll create. This is your chance to turn that dream into a reality!
At our upcoming event, you’ll:
Discover how your unique skills can transform lives across the globe
Hear inspiring stories from a past volunteer who’s returned with a renewed sense of purpose
Learn about the incredible support Cuso International provides, ensuring your journey is safe, rewarding, and impactful
Get insider tips on how to make the most of your volunteer experience
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a new challenge or a recent graduate eager to make your mark, Cuso International has a place for you.
Our expert panel will guide you through every step of the volunteer journey, from application to return. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and discover how you can be part of a global movement for positive change.
Ready to take the leap? Join us and unlock a world of possibilities. Your adventure awaits – and the impact you’ll make will last a lifetime!
Register now and take the first step towards an extraordinary experience that will not only change the lives of others but transform your own in ways you never imagined.
