Social Protection Specialist

Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific and Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (DWT/CO-Bangkok).  DWT/CO-Bangkok provides support to ILO Country Offices in assisting governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations in East and South-East Asia and the Pacific in their efforts to promote decent work and advance social justice through the implementation of sound labour and social policies based on social dialogue and underpinned by international labour standards. 
The ILO support includes a wide range of actions including the provision of policy advice and guidance, institutional development and capacity building of tripartite constituents, the generation and dissemination of knowledge including comparative studies and country profiles and the organisation of policy dialogues at all appropriate levels. These means of action cover a wide range of specific subjects and issues within the core areas of the ILO’s mandate of promoting decent work and advancing social justice worldwide. 
The main role of the position is to cover the policy areas of social protection. The incumbent of the position is responsible for providing policy advice and technical assistance and guidance to ILO’s constituents on social protection, in line with international labour standards while drawing also from best comparative practice.  The Specialist will be part of Global Technical Team on social protection and of the core teams of relevant outputs /policy outcomes of the ILO Programme and Budget. The incumbent of the position will actively promote and support the development and implementation of integrated policies to achieve universal social protection, including in the framework of the ILO’s Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All and the UN Secretary- General’s Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Director, DWT/CO-Bangkok and receives technical guidance and advice from the Universal Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) at ILO headquarters. 
The Specialist works in collaboration with the other specialists in the DWT/CO team, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the country and regional levels

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.As primary specialist in the area(s) of social protection, is responsible for substantial segments of the work programme. Identify priorities for/on social protection in the Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), develop strategies, as well as deliver and coordinate high-quality technical support at regional, subregional, national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, taking into account the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and ensure the effective management of staff and consultants in accordance with ILO standards, the results-based management framework and through timely and effective use of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and other feedback mechanisms, as applicable.
2.Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide expert policy and technical advice in the area of social protection. This includes advisory support on social protection systems that are rights-based and that provide protection throughout the life cycle; investments in social protection; and the building of sustainably and equitably financed social protection systems, to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.
3.Support ILO constituents in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of employers’ and workers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects. 
4.Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Participate in multidisciplinary initiatives, including the Social Protection Inter-Agency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B), the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection (USP2030), as well as the UN SG’s Initiative on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.
5.Initiate, design, conduct/commission and/or coordinate innovative and gender-mainstreamed research and analysis that meets the evolving needs of constituents and other key stakeholders in the area of social protection and leads to the formulation of policy and technical advice and guidelines and the development of new and enhancement of existing methodologies and concepts related to/in the area of social protection. Contribute to the development of the ILO’s knowledge base on social protection in the region, including the Flagship World Social Protection Report.

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6.Develop and lead/coordinate the development of social protection policies, initiatives, strategies and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents’ needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the global, regional and sub-regional and country levels and provide advice and technical support to constituents and other stakeholders on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.
7.Provide technical inputs to, oversee the drafting of/draft, peer review and edit reports, publications and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.

8.Support the strengthening of ILO constituents’ capacity to design and implement policies and measures, monitor the impact of policies and measures and refine and improve policies and measures as required in the area of social protection. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead and/or coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable.
9.Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships in the social protection and related areas and develop new/reinforce existing partnerships and collaborative relationships with entities of the UN system, other international organizations, international financial institutions, regional and national actors, including research institutions and academia and other key stakeholders  with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objective of social protection, ensuring policy coherence and  promoting awareness of ILO’s values and principles and the Decent Work Agenda.
10.Organize, facilitate and make technical contributions at seminars, conferences and other events. Represent and engage the ILO as a key player in meetings, conferences and forums at the international, regional, subregional, national and subnational levels concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of social protection. 

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11.Conceptualize, formulate, discuss and submit development cooperation project proposals, taking into account regional, subregional and national priorities on social protection and the need to position these within relevant cooperation frameworks. Provide technical backstopping for development cooperation projects and promote and facilitate coherence and knowledge sharing among projects. 
12.Play a key role in resource mobilization efforts to secure funding for new projects and activities in the field of social protection. Provide sub-regional support to the ILO’s Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All. Ensure effective coordination with concerned headquarters departments and field offices.
13.Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, actuarial studies, legal or other relevant fields.
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 experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of experience, including at the international level in social protection, including social insurance and social assistance. Experience in action-oriented research and the development/delivery of training programmes in the field of social protection is also required. Experience in resource mobilization and the design and management of international development programmes or projects are required.

Languages

Excellent command of English.  A working knowledge of another working language of the Organization (French and Spanish) would be an advantage.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following are required:

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area of social protection with the ability to plan, coordinate and guide the development and implementation of new concepts policies, techniques and procedures in response to evolving technical needs.
Good knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities and ability to address broader issues outside the field of specialization.  
Ability to lead and manage individual and group assignments and to supervise those undertaking the work.
Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance on latest policy developments in the technical area.
Excellent research and analytical skills. 
Excellent drafting skills.
Excellent communication skills, excellent presentation skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills. Ability to adapt communication style to diverse audiences.
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems. 
Ability to network and build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and to create and promote synergies across the Organization and with external stakeholders.
Ability to represent the Organization and present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO’s position on it to partners with a view to gaining their support to advance the desired course of action. 
Ability to mobilize resources.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.