Grade: P3
Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/P/2023/07
Publication date: 02 August 2023
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 23 August 2023
Job ID: 11095
Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Location: Baghdad
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: 12 months (Renewable)
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:
- ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
- External candidates.
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.
Introduction
Prior to COVID-19, Iraq was facing internal socio-economic development challenges such as weak economic growth, increase in poverty and inequality, unemployment rate particularly among youth and women, weak labour market governance, and most importantly lack of comprehensive social protection systems. The socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 has put Iraq at a great disadvantage, and further exposed those vulnerabilities and exacerbated the long-term structural challenges. The social protection system in Iraq remains fragmented and ineffective in addressing needs of the vulnerable.
The ILO/UNICEF/WFP joint UN project on Social Protection: Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform supports the Government of Iraq to catalyse more effective social protection response in the short-term and to support Iraq to accelerate social protection reform in the medium- and longer-term. The project is funded by the European Union.
The project comprises seven interlinked components, with ILO leading on a) comprehensive social security system covering vulnerable workers including those in the informal economy; b) older persons (and persons with disabilities) in Iraq have improved access to social protection benefits including contributory and non-contributory pension benefit c) the ILO will contribute to a component for more effective and better coordinated social protection response to address COVID-19 socio-economic impacts on poverty and vulnerability in the short term.
During the second half of the Social Protection Reform programme, activities will focus largely be on three core themes: a) strengthening the capacity of the Department of Social Security to implement the provisions of the new law and extend social security coverage (including by upgrading ICT infrastructure, revising SOPs and business processes as relevant); b) implementing activities to support social security extension (awareness raising campaign, piloting social security subsidy schemes, and implementing recommendations emanating from sectoral research); c) continuing ongoing policy discussions with tripartite partners on social protection reform and linkages with wider policy priorities.
Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Social Protection and Resilience Officer will be responsible of technically backstopping the project, ensuring proper implementation of the planned outputs and supervising the work of international and national collaborators and implementing partners.
Reporting Lines
The social protection officer will be based in Baghdad and will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) in charge of the project. Technical backstopping will be provided by the Senior Social Protection Specialist and the Resilience and crisis response specialists for the ILO office for the Arab States in Beirut. The incumbent will work in close coordination with ILOโs Iraq Country Coordinator, other members of the Project team and other projects in Iraq, other members of the DWT in Beirut and the Social Protection Department in HQ.
Description of Duties
1. Assist the CTA in the implementation of the project by providing technical inputs, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities in the area of social protection in Iraq, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.
2. Support the effective management and timely delivery project activities, in specific social protection related areas and project components as determined by the CTA in consultation with the Senior Social Protection Specialist and the Iraq country coordinator. Ensure that the results of the project at impact, outcome and output levels are achieved through the activities and interventions of the project, they are deemed sustainable, and the results are regularly documented, monitored, evaluated, reported, communicated and used for learning and adjustment of the project. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.
3. Provide technical inputs and policy advisory services and capacity building to the various relevant ministries, social partners, national social security institutions, decentralized authorities, and other relevant institutions and national stakeholders, in close collaboration with agencies and development partners, regarding social insurance and social assistance reforms, in line with international labour standards.
4. Support social dialogue and capacity development processes to ensure active engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of social security and social protection reforms. Oversee the development and implementation of the social protection communication and awareness raising campaigns.
5. Identify needed expertise, knowledge and capacity gaps of the main stakeholders and propose appropriate technical action, providing direct technical assistance where appropriate. Identify training needs and lead training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.
Description of Duties (continued)
6. Identify pivotal policy issues and contribute to social protection policy developments and the formulation of national plans for the extension of social protection to all, in the conceptual framework of Decent Work Programme.
7. Facilitate the exchange of good practices in the area of social protection between Iraq and other neighbouring countries. Develop knowledge base, including the collection, analysis of trends and developments, assessment, documentation and disseminations of major legislation, statistics and relevant data concerning social security and of the various elements of the national social protection system and floors in Iraq.
8. Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor, maintain close liaisons with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, UN organizations, research institutions and non-governmental organizations that are involved in the field of social protection in Iraq.
9. Participate on behalf of the project at technical meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks of government policymakers, other UN agencies and development partners, workersโ and employersโ organizations, and civil society organizations in the area of social protection and social security.
10. Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Required qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree in economics, public law, public administration, social sciences, development studies or a related field.
A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned field(s) or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience
At least five years of professional experience in the field of social protection and social policy. Demonstrated experience in supporting social security and/or social protection reforms.
Experience with national dialogue processes and management of public sector reform initiatives and previous experience in the Arab States region would be an advantage.
Languages
Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.
Competencies
In addition to the ILO core competencies (Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration), this position requires:
1. 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.
2. Ability to conceptualise, design research techniques, and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
3. Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies and to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research.
4. Ability to draft accurate reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
5. Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
6. Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
7. Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Competencies (continued)
8. Good computer skills.
9. Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
10. Ability to develop training strategies and design training materials.
11. Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
12. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
13. Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
14. 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.
Conditions of employment
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
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
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