National Project Officer (Social Protection)

Introduction

While the social protection system in Iraq is fragmented and required significant reforms to address the needs of the vulnerable, the Council of Representatives in Federal Iraq recently adopted a new Social Security Law for Private Sector Workers. The new law expands the legal purview of the social security system to ensure more comprehensive coverage for all workers, including those in informal economy, the self-employed, and contributing family workers. Additionally, the law introduces new entitlements such as maternity and unemployment benefits.

The UN project on Social Protection: Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform is a joint endeavour aiming at supporting the Government of Iraq to catalyse more effective social protection responses in the short-term and medium terms. The project is a joint partnership between ILO, UNICEF and WFP with funding from the European Union.

The ILO component of the programme comprises several interlinked components, including comprehensive social security system covering vulnerable workers including those in the informal economy; and ensuring that older persons (and persons with disabilities) in Iraq have improved access to social protection benefits including contributory and non-contributory pension benefit.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the national project coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day effective management of the project’s activities including the implementation of the project and realization its outputs at the national level by promoting the work of the ILO and ensuring the synergy in the work with the UN project partner agencies.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator will be based in Baghdad and will work in close collaboration with ILO’s Iraq Country Coordinator, under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) in charge of the programme. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Social Protection Teams in Baghdad and the Regional Office for Arab States as well as other colleagues of the Iraq Country Office.

The incumbent will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and management of the project activities in Iraq and will liaise with the project’s partners (government, employer’s, and worker’s representatives) among others, to ensure the timely delivery of activities according to the project’s work plan.

Description of Duties

1. Review and analyse the country’s specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information. Identify potential technical cooperation areas and provide written analysis on the findings to the Country Coordinator and CTA.

2. Work in close collaboration with (partners) to design and revise project annual work plans as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners.

3. Review, verify and analyze work plans, progress and final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness and monitor the progress of Project activities. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.

4. Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.

5. Assist in the programming and control of resources of the project, prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action. Identify problems, propose solutions and actions.

Description of Duties (continued)

6. Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities in the area of Social Protection Actively participate in and provide inputs.

7. Participate in the preparation and conduct of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Speak on behalf of the Project when attending these gatherings alone. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.

8. Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, translate or interpret into local language official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials.

9. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project.

10. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director and the CTA.

Required qualifications

Education

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

Experience

Minimum of two years of professional experience in the in the field of social protection and social policy.

Demonstrated experience in supporting social security and/or social protection reforms would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Arabic. 

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:

Technical competencies:

• 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.
• Good 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.

Competencies (continued)

• Proven ability to take ownership of 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.
• Ability to develop and design training material.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

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.