Director, Social Security Development Branch - D1

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is the world's leading international organization for social security institutions, government departments and agencies. Founded in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization, the ISSA counts more than 320 member organizations in close to 160 countries.

The ISSA promotes good governance, high performance and service quality in social security administration as a condition for adequate and sustainable social security for all. As a knowledge-based service organization, the ISSA  offers its members international professional guidelines for social security administration, technical support and capacity building, knowledge and information on social security through data collection and policy analysis activities as well as major professional and regional events.

The incumbent reports to the Secretary General, provides leadership for ISSA’s technical activities and manages  the Social Security Development Branch, which is responsible for the relevance and high quality of ISSA social security knowledge output, analysis and data collection. This includes responsibility for the  preparation and update of professional standards in social security administration (ISSA Guidelines), the updating and development of information in the ISSA social security databases, social security policy analysis activities and the technical content of ISSA conferences and events. The Branch implements its projects in close collaboration with ISSA Technical Commissions which bring together high level member representatives in various technical fields. 

As a member of a compact management team, the incumbent collaborates closely with other managers and staff members in the implementation of the cross-branch development and production goals of the ISSA Programme and Budget.. The incumbent participates in the strategic decision-making of the ISSA and provides technical input to the development of the ISSA programme of activities. 

•    Exercise full management responsibility for the implementation of the branch’s deliverables, including identifying priorities, establishing and monitoring implementation of work plans and intermediary objectives. Provide direction, leadership and guidance to staff to achieve objectives and ensure that all staff under his/her responsibility optimize the use of resources for the achievement of results and that they are held accountable for their performance. 

•    Lead the development of the ISSA knowledge base, in particular with regard to the ISSA Guidelines and related knowledge resources.. Create a long-term strategic plan for the development of ISSA Guidelines with a view to ensuring that the ISSA covers the key business processes in administration and responds to the priority administrative challenges of member organizations. 

•    Develop and manage the implementation of analytical work related to social security and social security administration, and ensure a regular stream of knowledge products in response to the diverse needs of ISSA member institutions.

•    Oversee and coordinate the preparation and the implementation of the ISSA Technical Commissions’ work plans. Ensure that Technical Commissions are actively engaged in the work programme of the ISSA and maintain close and regular contacts with Technical Commission Chairpersons. 

•    Provide strategic advice and input to the ISSA Programme of activities to ensure that the ISSA reaches its objective of being the leading worldwide institution with regard to strategic and operational knowledge in social security administration, ensure the appropriate evolution and extension of ISSA’s social security databases and propose and implement policy analysis activities in response to ISSA members’ needs.

•    Lead the evaluation of the deliverables of the branch and participate in overall evaluation initiatives in line with the ISSA results-based programming methodology.

•    Represent the ISSA and speak at major international and member events.

•    Develop tailored knowledge and technical activities responding to the specific needs of individual, or groups of, member institutions Facilitate and spearhead interdisciplinary efforts within ISSA.

•    Undertake other duties as required by the Secretary General.

Advanced university degree in social science or another relevant field. A PhD degree would be considered an advantage.  

At least 15 years of both managerial and technical experience in social security, including extensive experience in managing teams and considerable international level experience. 

Excellent command of one of the official languages of the ISSA (English, French, German, Spanish) and good working knowledge of English (another language if the first one is English). Good working knowledge of a third language would be an advantage.

The position requires an excellent knowledge, both strategic and applied, of social security and social security administration. Superior skills and demonstrated ability in managing complex programmes of projects, managing people, organizing resources and establishing priorities to reach successful outcomes. Openness to change and demonstrated ability in planning and implementing development initiatives. Ability to organize, lead and be part of a project team and knowledge of project management methodology. Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and structured knowledge management skills. Strategic planning and performance measurement skills. Knowledge of current and emerging internal and external issues impacting on the operational environment of social security and the ISSA. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.