Programme Manager and Social Protection Specialist

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 [email protected].

Introduction

The ILO implements in Lebanon a significant programme of work in the social protection sector. This programme is closely aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and includes cooperation with a range of UN partners. The programme includes major components related to supporting reforms of the national social protection systems as well as response to the Syria refugee crisis.

The ILO is engaged in providing technical support and policy advice to its constituents in Lebanon on several dimensions of the ongoing social protection reforms, including amongst others: a) governance, financing coordination and implementation of the recently adopted national Social Protection Strategy, b) technical assistance on reforms in the area of social (health) insurance, c) design and implementation of lifecycle national social grants, d) evidence generation and analysis of social protection needs and gaps and engagement of constituents and key stakeholders in the national debate, e) alignment of development and humanitarian agendas in the social protection sector along the ”nexus” and f) capacity building to government and social partners on contributory and non-contributory social protection.

The ILO pursues engagement in these areas through a range of development cooperation projects including: a) a partnership with EU on “Addressing life-cycle vulnerabilities through social protection – Establishing Social Grants in Lebanon”; b) the Dutch funded multi-agency partnership programme on Improving Prospects for Forcibly Displaced People and Host Communities. (PROSPECTS); c) a EU funded project on facilitating access of social protection beneficiaries to employment (ENABLE). Other technical cooperation projects including a social protection component are in preparation.

Reporting**:** The incumbent will report to the Deputy Regional Director for the Arab States based in Beirut and will receive guidance and backstopping support from the Senior Social Protection Specialist based in the Regional Decent Work Team. The incumbent will work in close coordination, consultation and regular interaction with relevant Chief Technical Advisers CTAs)/National Programme Coordinators of programmes that have components under the Social Protection cluster, including by participating in respective team meetings and collaboration and other work required for these broader programmes to meet their objectives.

Description of Duties

Project management:

1. Manage, plan, develop and coordinate the implementation of Social Protection projects and project sub-components in Lebanon through timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and administrative and financial procedures. Ensure effective delivery and management of funds and reporting of the portfolio of social protection projects in Lebanon, in close coordination with relevant CTAs/project managers and in line with the overall projects’ objectives and workplans, as applicable.

2. Manage efficiently the human resources of the social protection project teams, including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the work of officials working under the project and in other projects in the area of social protection.

3. Increase the project’s visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the project’s interventions.

Technical leadership and advice:

4. Provide high-level policy advice and advocacy to Government, Workers and Employers organizations, key development partners and other stakeholders on issues of relevance to social protection in Lebanon, in close cooperation with the Regional Social Protection Specialist.

5. Review, analyse and interpret economic, social and political trends in Lebanon. Provide inputs related to trends or developments for which further research and programme development work is required to adequately respond to growing and changing needs in the area of Social Protection in Lebanon. Provide analysis and recommendations to senior management on technical cooperation activities.

6. Promote ILO social security policies in the related technical areas of the project and more generally in Lebanon, in-line with the relevant International Labour Standards.

Advocacy, networking and partnership:

7. Build and manage relationship to cooperate and coordinate with the concerned governments, ministries and the employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and donors, in the planning and implementation of ILO social protection activities in Lebanon. Ensure effective 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.

8. In coordination with the ILO representative in the UN Country Team and ILO leads for relevant result groups, represent the ILO in UN and donor social protection-sector coordination platform and fora in the field of social protection, and facilitate coordinated participation of all projects and initiatives in the area of social protection in such platforms/fora as required.

9. Maintain strong relationships with multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the formulation and operation of country related technical cooperation programmes in the area of Social Protection. Support the office in the development of other potential projects under the Social Protection portfolio in Lebanon in close cooperation with the Regional Social Protection Specialist.

10. Facilitate mechanisms for regular exchange and interaction across ILO projects and initiatives in the area of social protection with the objective of ensuring good communication, coordination, coherence and integration across project activities and initiatives. Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the various areas of engagement of the ILO in the area of social protection across all projects and initiatives. Make suggestions to the Regional Specialist, and CTAs/Project Managers as required about areas were improved alignment and coordination across initiatives.

Knowledge management:

11. Ensure effective reporting and dissemination of technical activities. Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of planning and implementation, including of social protection components in other relevant programmes and projects Request and integrate inputs from across all projects and initiatives in the area of social protection for the purpose of internal and external reporting and other similar exercises.

12. Collaborate with the Regional Office, DWT and ILO Social Protection Department on development of regional and global reports and analyses in the area of social protection in Lebanon and in the region.

13. Identify capacity development needs and deliver training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities in the area of social protection in Lebanon and in the region.

14. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, public administration, management, social science, 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.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant experience in development cooperation activities, including at the international level. This includes field experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects, preferably in the fields of social security and social protection. At least four years demonstrated expertise in senior positions in the technical field of social security and social protection.

Proven management experience, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, including experience in managing large and complex development cooperation projects would be an advantage, as would be work experience in the context of the Arab region.

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:

• 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.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide relevant and effective technical advice on the technical area and related topics.
• Ability to conceptualise, design, plan and implement research work, including analysis of complex cross-national practices and data sets.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy and procedural matters, and to present them at high-level meetings.
• Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments and social partners, and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Excellent writing skills 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

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.
• Any extension 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.

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