Technical Specialist on Social Protection

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for West Africa and Country Office for Senegal, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau (DWT/CO-Dakar). The DWT/CO-Dakar provides overall technical support for the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) in the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The DWT/CO-Dakar also provides strategic guidance in formulating policy and work programmes as required by the ILO country offices and the constituents in West Africa in close collaboration with the ILO Regional Office for Africa, and headquarters technical departments.

The incumbent will be responsible for providing advisory services on social protection to influence national policies aiming at ensuring that more people have access to better managed and more gender equitable social protection benefits. The incumbent will promote the inclusion of social protection priorities in the Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) in the countries of coverage.

The incumbent will report to the Director of DWT/CO-Dakar and will receive technical guidance and advice from the Director of the Social Protection Department  (SOCPRO) at ILO headquarters. S/he will work in close cooperation with other technical specialists in the DWT/CO-Dakar and with the other specialist(s) in the sub-region as well as with development cooperation staff on social protection.

1. Provide technical and policy advisory services to ILO constituents and national and regional institutions in the field of social protection/social security, with a particular emphasis on rights-based public social protection schemes and programmes, including contributory social insurance and non-contributory benefits. This includes the design and implementation of social protection policies, including national social protection floors, that are consistent with the ILO's work at country and sub-regional level and contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to social protection and the implementation of the United Nations’ Development Agreement Frameworks (UNDAFs) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs).

2. Coordinate the development and implementation of a sub-regional strategy on social protection including on the extension of social protection through national social protection floors, in collaboration with the other DWT Social Protection specialists in the region. Provide support to the African Union platform on social protection.

3. Design, supervise and conduct relevant analytical and policy-oriented research on sub-regional and national social protection programmes and policies that will serve as the basis for the formulation of relevant national social protection strategies.

4. Contribute to the Social Protection Department's policy developments and to the implementation of the Programme and Budget outcome on social protection.

5. Identify, review and document relevant information pertaining to initiatives extending social protection, achievements and impact of the various social protection systems targeting both formal and informal economy workers within the sub-region.

6. Provide expert advice and advocate and promote ILO's social security standards among key stakeholders, including concerned Governments, employers and workers' organisations, and other target groups. Support countries wishing to ratify ILO social security Conventions.

7. Contribute towards the identification of pivotal policy issues in the region and provide technical support and advice to Directors of country offices and DWT Specialists on the integration of social protection priorities into their respective work programmes; to respond to the needs of constituents as expressed in the DWCPs on the development of the ILO's knowledge base on social protection. Advocate and promote national social protection floors within progressively comprehensive social protection systems.

8. Provide sub-regional support to the ILO’s Flagship programme on building social protection floors for all. This includes support in the design and mobilizing of resources for country projects under the responsibility of the DWT, and the implementation and monitoring of interventions at country-level.

9. Design country-level, bilateral or multilateral development cooperation projects. Liaise with donors and potential partners with a view to securing development cooperation resources and expanding the Office's capacity to undertake various activities in the field of social protection in the region.

10. Develop and implement joint partnerships and programmes with other UN agencies, the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, development partners and international NGOs, and regional and sub-regional organizations particularly in relation to the promotion and implementation of comprehensive systems of social protection, including floors.

11. Build and maintain close relationships with governments, workers' and employers' organisations, UN organisations, research institutions and non-governmental organisations that are involved in the field of social protection. Develop a roster of social protection experts/consultants.

12. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Advanced university degree in economics, social sciences, actuarial studies or other relevant fields, with demonstrated expertise on social protection issues.

Eight years of relevant experience at the national level or 5 years at the international level. Experience in designing, supporting the implementation and assessing social protection programmes. Experience in the design and/or management of international development programmes or projects would be an asset. Relevant experience in another region and experience working with ILO constituents would be assets.

Excellent command of English or French and a working knowledge of the second language. A working knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Technical competencies - Ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects; provide seasoned advice on best practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; formulate new concepts and methodologies; develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and ILC, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects.

Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences (both specialized and non-specialized). Develop and nurture positive relations with the ILO constituents; ability to engage in capacity building.

Behavioural competencies - Good communication, presentation and negotiating skills. High standards of integrity, professionalism, personal discipline and impartiality. Ability to liaise and cooperate with other members of the team and other programmes at headquarters and field offices. Strong commitment to ILO values. Ability to prioritize work and to meet tight deadlines. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.