Programme Manager, UNJP/ EU Action

The ILO is one of the implementing partners of two new initiatives in the area of social protection in Cambodia, namely the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP) on “Supporting the National Social Protection Policy Framework)” (2020-2021) and the EU funded Programme “Improving synergies between social protection and public finance management” (2020-2022).  

The overall objective of the UNJP is to contribute to the nation-wide rollout of the National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF) which was established for the first time in Cambodia. By the end of the Programme it is expected an increased number of people covered by a more effective, efficient, accountable, equitable, sustainable, and child- and gender-sensitive social protection system. The Executive Committee of the National Social Protection Council (NSPC) will coordinate the Programme from the Government side. From UN side, the Project will be jointly implemented by ILO, UNICEF and WHO. The Resident Coordinator’s Office will coordinate the work of the 3three agencies and co-chair the steering committee with the Executive Committee of the NSPC. ILO is the technical lead agency.

The Project “Improving synergies between social protection and public finance management” (EU/Action) aims to promote synergies between the development of Cambodia’s 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 will be jointly implemented by ILO, UNICEF and OXFAM in close coordination with the UN JP partners. 

The Project Programme Manager will be responsible by managing the implementation of the ILO components of the UNJP and the EU/Action Programmes 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 Programmes contribute to a coherent ILO country-level 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 Programme 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 Programme implementation with the Government and other participating UN Agencies. The technical coordination will be done in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator’s Office which who is in charge of the overall pProgramme Ccoordination.

The Programme Manager will report to 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. In what With regards to the implementation of the UN JP, the Programme Manager will work in close collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator and the other implementing agencies.

The Programme Manager will be responsible for the management of the ILO components under the UN JP “Supporting the National Social Protection Policy Framework)” and the EU funded Programme “Improving synergies between social protection and public finance management”, including the design, supervision and monitoring of all activities required for the achievement of project objectives and their related outputs, in accordance with the respective project implementation plans.

The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

1) Ensure effective coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the different Programme 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) Manage efficiently the ILO human resources of the projects, including recruitment where applicable, training, technical supervision and monitoring, and performance.
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 RCO 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) Be responsible for the effective management and timely delivery of funds/budget assigned to ILO in the programs, as well as support UN RCO in ensuring the effective management and timely delivery of the UNJP SDG funds.
6) Provide technical expertise and advice to the ProgramProgramme team and when required to the stakeholders of the projects including the General Secretariat of the National Social Protection Council, the National Social Security Fund, social partners, other relevant government agencies and key institutions.
7) Conduct research, produce and publish technical reports, policy notes, and lead the development of communication products to raise the visibility of the Programs.
8) Develop terms of reference for consultants and supervise the development of policy-oriented research and publications.
9) Lead the development of programmes of seminars, workshops, technical meetings and training courses.
10) Promote ILO social security policies in the related technical areas of the programs in line with the relevant International Labour Standards.
11) Initiate and plan projects. Analyse needs and appraise the suitability of proposed programmes and projects in meeting these needs.
12) Carry out other duties as may be assigned under the project.

dvanced university degree in economics, social sciences, law or other relevant fields, with demonstrated expertise on social protection issues.

At least eight years’ experience at the national level or five years at the international level in providing technical advisory services in the area of social protection.

Excellent command of English is required including ability to draft quickly and clearly. 

- 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.
- Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/program’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for program development.
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
- Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
- 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 develop training strategies and design training materials.
- Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
- 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.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
- Excellent negotiation skills and ability to provide high quality services.
- Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s 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 new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
- Demonstrated technical expertise to devise new methods, concepts, approaches and techniques, the ability to provide social protection policy advice.
- Demonstrated experience of working with other International Organisations.