ILO: Technical Social Protection Officer

Developed in the aftermath of conflict with ISIS and during the COVID-19 crisis, the Joint UN Programme (JP) on Social Protection Reform was designed to support the Government of Iraq to ‘accelerate reform in the medium and longer term’ and build a coherent and sustainable national social protection system starting from a humanitarian context. Five years later, the country has transitioned to a development context, albeit the regional context remains volatile. The programme has steered the transition from social assistance to social protection by supporting Iraq’s ratification of Convention on Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention No 102, the passage of a new federal law on Social Security that aligns with the convention, and a doubling of effective private social security coverage from 6 to 12 per cent.  That said, challenges remain, chief among them: Iraq’s social protection offer is still fragmented. An effective national social protection strategy defining the transition from social assistance to other forms of social protection, such as social security and active labour market interventions, remains an elusive proposition despite the programme’s efforts. 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 socio-economic impacts on poverty and vulnerability in the short term.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Social Protection Officer is 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 Social Protection Specialist of the ILO Regional Office for Arab States. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the ILO’s 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.

1. Assist the CTA in the implementation of the project by providing technical inputs, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting 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. Ensure the timely delivery project activities, in specific social protection related areas and project components as assigned by the CTA in consultation with the Social Protection Specialist and the Iraq Country Coordinator. Follow up on contracts, implementation agreements, procurement processes to ensure timely delivery of results. Assist the CTA in ensuring that the results of the project at impact, outcome and output levels are achieved through the activities and interventions of the project, communicated and used for learning and adjustment of the project. Keep track of financial delivery in accordance with budget commitments.

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 conduct training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

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. Promote ILO policies regarding the project 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.

10. 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, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and civil society organizations in the area of social protection and social security.

11. Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Advanced university degree in economics, public law, public administration, social sciences, development studies or a related field.

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.

At least five years of professional experience in the in the field of social protection and social policy including three years at the international level. Demonstrated experience in supporting social security and/or social protection reforms.

Experience with national dialogue processes and management of public sector reform initiatives would be an advantage, as would be work experience in the Arab States region.

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Technical competencies:

• 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 conceptualise, design research techniques, and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• 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.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation 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.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
• 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.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• 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.

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.