National Project Coordinator – Social Protection

Introduction

Home to over 5 million Palestinians, the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) suffers from significant social protection deficits from the perspective of both the contributory and non-contributory system. National social assistance schemes are characterized by coverage and adequacy gaps, as well as concerns with financial sustainability, given large reliance on external financing from international partners. Humanitarian social protection schemes are widespread and the level of alignment and integration with the national policies and systems is limited. The OPT is also in the process of rolling out a comprehensive social security system to cover all private sector workers and their family members, although this has been on hold in recent months. Only public sector workers currently benefit from social protection benefits, while most private sector workers are effectively not covered. The war since 7th October 2023 has further exposed the impetus for extending social protection coverage nationally, and for more coordinated approaches across the sector.

In line with its mandate, the ILO will continue to support the process of social security and social assistance reforms, promote capacity development and social dialogue amongst tripartite stakeholders, support progressive integration of humanitarian and development social protection instrument along the humanitarian-development nexus and enhance general public understanding of social protection matters and support the development of a realistic financing, implementation and administrative framework for social insurance and social assistance in OPT.

In this context, the ILO is implementing several projects that fall within the overall social protection portfolio in the OPT – including EU-funded interventions with UNICEF and Oxfam on “Strengthening nexus coherence and responsiveness in the Palestinian social protection sector” and multi-donor funded support to the ILO OPT “Emergency Response Programme”. The ILO also continues to be engaged in supporting the strengthening of the policy, legal and administrative infrastructure of the social protection system in OPT.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator will be based in Ramallah and will report to the Social Protection Officer based in Jerusalem, under the direct technical supervision of the Senior Social Protection Specialist for the ILO office for the Arab States in Beirut, in coordination with the Social Protection Department in HQ.

The incumbent will ensure an effective coordination and implementation of the social protection components included in the ILO’s Emergency Response Plan, through timely provision of inputs, effective oversight and supervision of national collaborators and implementing partners, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, in conformity with ILO policies, project strategies, programming guidelines and administrative and financial procedures.

Description of Duties

• Contribute to the project timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan.
• Contribute to the implementation and review of ILO’s Emergency Response Programme in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with particular focus on social protection and employment linkages. This includes the ongoing revision and implementation of emergency schemes under the ILO’s Emergency Response Programme, which must be linked to longer-term national system strengthening. Conduct resource mobilisation efforts under this area to further support and expand the ILO’s work in the OPT.
• Provide guidance to project staff and national partners with identifying, analysing, interpreting and making recommendations on the Emergency Response Plan and project activities, in coordination with MoL, MoSD, social partners, PUNOs, DWT-Beirut specialists, INGOs and NGOs, as well as relevant technical units at ILO-HQ including but not limited to the Social Protection Department (SOCPRO).
• Contribute in programme/project development, including with respect to budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, and project reviews and evaluation. Monitor progress of ILO social protection portfolio in OPT, by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

Description of Duties (Cont’d)

• Provide policy and technical advice to MoSD, MoL and social partners on issues related to the effective implementation of different social protection projects and national social protection reforms, including social assistance and social insurance, with particular focus on the design and implementation of social allowances for older persons and persons with severe disability, in line with ILO’s international social security standards, in particular Social Security Convention No.102 and Social Protection Floors Recommendation, No. 202.
• Contribute to the ILO’s work on the nexus, and under the guidance of the Social Protection Officer, support the facilitation and organization of various ILO-led coordination mechanisms between humanitarian-development actors. Maintain close working relationships with key nexus actors including MoSD, Cash Working Group and UN agencies, to enable smooth implementation of activities.
• Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, and CSOs in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.

Description of Duties (Cont’d)

• Identify problems, propose solutions and action and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
• Undertake research and prepare technical inputs for country and regional analyses, reports and publications related to social protection delivery, including contributory and non-contributory portfolio of social protection in OPT. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on social protection.
• Organize and assess needs for social protection training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding of concepts of social security and universal social protection floors.
• Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in Beirut, and other colleagues in the field and HQ, on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in social sciences, a discipline related to development, public administration, economics, and social protection or similar with demonstrated expertise in the relevant technical field and strong knowledge on development issues.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience in the field of social protection and public administration. Three years of experience in project management, supervision, administration and implementation of grant/cooperative agreement requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to the project donor).

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of social protection, poverty reduction and social policies.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Arabic.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position:

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of social protection and labour market institutions in OPT.
• Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
• Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English.
• Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles.
• Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.

Competencies (Cont’d)

• Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
• Ability to train and guide personnel.
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in diversified environments.
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

.

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.