National Project Coordinator, UNJP

The ILO social protection portfolio in Cambodia includes the following Projects “Supporting the implementation of Sustainable Social Protection Floors for the Workers and their Families in ASEAN – Phase II” (ILO/Korea) and Achieving SDGs and ending poverty through Universal Social Protection (CHINA/UNDESA). From January 2020, the ILO will also be one of the implementing partners of two new initiatives in the area of social protection, namely the United Nations Joint Program (UNJP) on “Supporting the National Social Protection Policy Framework)” (2020-2021) and the EU funded Program “Improving synergies between social protection and public finance management” (2020-2022).

The main objective of the CHINA/UNDESA Project component in Cambodia is to strengthen the capacity of the government to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate national social security schemes. The ILO/Korea Project focus on supporting the Government on the implementation of National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF). With a particular focus on the social insurance component.

The overall objective of the UNJP is to contribute to the nation-wide rollout of the National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF). The Project “Improving synergies between social protection and public finance management” (EU/Action) aims to promote synergies between the development of Cambodia social protection system and the ongoing Public Financial Management Reform Programme. Among other elements, it includes the development of capacities for fiscal analysis and modelling for social protection.

The Project Manager will be responsible by managing the implementation of ILO components of the UNJP and the EU/Action Programs and ensure the coordination and consistency of the ILO portfolio on Social Protection including the ILO/Korea and ILO/UNDESA activities in Cambodia. He/she will ensure that the Programs contribute to coherent ILO country intervention on social protection, including its contribution to the national plans for the achievement of the SDG, under the overall framework of the Cambodia Decent Work Country Program and the UNDAF 2019-2023. The portfolio includes the coordination of technical assistance and training activities; provision of high-level technical advice to the Cambodian counterparts.

With ILO as lead agency of the UNJP the Programme Manager will also be in charge of technically coordinating the Program implementation with the Government and other participating UN Agencies. The technical coordination will be done in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator Office who is in charge of the overall Program Coordination.

The National Project Coordination will be supporting the Social Protection Programme Manager (P4 position) in the management of ILO components of the UNJP; EU/Action, ILO/Korea and ILO/UNDESA activities in Cambodia. The incumbent will be directly responsible by the planning and implementation of activities under ILO/Korea and ILO/UNDESA.

He/she will ensure that the Programs contribute to coherent ILO country intervention on social protection, including its contribution to the national plans for the achievement of the SDG, under the overall framework of the Cambodia Decent Work Country Program and the UNDAF 2019-2023. The portfolio includes the coordination of technical assistance and training activities; provision of technical advice to the Cambodian counterparts.

The National Project Coordinator will report to the Social Protection Programme Manager (based in Phnom Penh) under the delegated authority of the Director of the ILO Decent Work Team for East and South-East Asia/Country Office for Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia (DWT/CO-Bangkok), with technical backstopping provided by the Senior Technical Social Protection Specialists of the DWT. Technical inputs and support will also be provided by the Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) in Geneva.

Under the coordination of the Social Protection Programme Manager, the National Project Coordination will support the management of:
• Cambodian components of the Projects “Supporting the implementation of Sustainable Social Protection Floors for the Workers and their Families in ASEAN – Phase II” (ILO/Korea)
• Cambodian components of the Project “Achieving SDGs and ending poverty through Universal Social Protection (CHINA/UNDESA)”.
• ILO components under UN JP “Supporting the National Social Protection Policy Framework)”
• ILO components EU funded Program “Improving synergies between social protection and public finance management”

1. Ensure effective coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the different Program activities, in accordance with the policies, program strategies, programming guidelines, administrative and financial procedures of the ILO and country/action programmes and the UNJP SDG Guidelines.

2. Contribute with creative ideas for programme development, serve as senior national programme adviser to the Social Protection Programme Manager and ILO CO Bangkok and draft portions of programme and budget proposals, programme back ground, objectives and evaluation.

3. Prepare periodic and ad- hoc progress notes on the status of programmes planning and their implementation and establish coordination with concerned UN partner agencies; the UN RCO and ILO departments as well as external partners in Cambodia.

4. Support the SP Programme Manager in the Coordination of the UNJP, including leading the preparation of progress reports and technically support the UN RC in high-level policy dialogue events on social protection.

5. Identify training and capacity building needs of partner agencies on social protection, prepare capacity building strategy and an implementation plan, within resources available under the UNJP.

6. Help identifying suitable external collaborators and contractors for conducting certain project activities related to social protection, draft terms of reference, prepare work plan and costs estimates and provide support for preparing the contracts.

7. Translate into local language(s) and / or edit translation of technical material, news releases, official correspondence, statements, speeches and other documents.

8. Participate in the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings.

9. Provide programming support to programmes and projects in the field of social protection.

10. Assist in the programming and control of the different Project resources; prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts. Assist with the follow-up with relevant technical specialists.

11. Prepare briefs, periodical reports and statistical data on social protection, including social health protection, and contribute to the production of training and advocacy material both in English and in Khmer.

12. Assemble and edit basic data required for planning and negotiation of programme/project activities, Follow-up on documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements.

13. Brief ILO specialists, project experts, associate experts and visiting officials and provide relevant information on social protection.

14. Identify and implement synergies and efficiencies with ongoing ILO and related in-country projects, to enhance impact of the projects.

15. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

University degree in a relevant field, preferably master degree in development studies, labour economics, public health and social sciences.
 

At least three years of relevant professional experience at the national level preferably in the area of social protection, work experience with the Royal Government of Cambodia, social partners, civil society, UN Agencies and other stakeholders will be advantage.
 

Excellent command of English and excellent knowledge of Khmer language.

- Capacity to work and taken decisions regarding the project implementation in autonomy.
- Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures.
- Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations.
- Ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyse problems with implementation.
- Good client orientation skills.
- Good drafting skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to clarify information.
- Good computer applications skills.
- Organizational skills.
- Ability to work on owns initiative as well as a member of a team.
- Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
- Strong technical knowledge on social protection and public health issues.

Conditions of employment:

 Starting salary:                     US$36,777 per annum
 Allowances & benefits:         Affiliation to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund
                                              Affiliation to the ILO-ITU Staff Health Insurance Fund
                                              Dependants’ allowance
                                              30 working days of annual leave