National Project Coordinator, SOCPRO

Introduction

The COVID-19 health crisis revealed important gaps in terms of entitlements to protection in case of illness, not only regarding access to health care but also in terms of sickness benefits. These gaps are leaving many people, including workers in non-standard forms of employment and self-employment unprotected by collectively financed health care and sickness benefits. Over the past decades, many countries in Asia and the Pacific have rapidly expanded SHP coverage. Despite laudable progress, the effective realization of the human rights to health and social security is not yet a reality for all. Only 63.4 per cent of the population is protected by a health care scheme, leaving about 1.6 billion people wholly unprotected.

The importance and potential of social protection in reducing poverty and inequalities and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable economic development is recognized in the Sustainable Development Agenda. Financial health protection is recognised as one contributing factor to reach universal health coverage, one of the targets under SDG3 on healthier lives.  

The second phase of the project “Building social protection floors for all/support to the Extension of Social Health Protection in South-East Asia” aims at increasing financial health protection in the target country of Lao PDR, and in the region in general, under the overall umbrella of national strategies towards UHC and the global development agenda including ILO’s Flagship Programme on Social Protection Floors. At regional level, to further enhance countries’ capacities, the first phase of the project has supported the establishment of a regional network “CONNECT”. The project will further support the expansion of the network and its capacities to produce collaborative knowledge and capacity building products, feeding national efforts, including in Lao PDR, to expand social health protection coverage. In Lao PDR, activities are aligned with national social health protection strategies and complement initiatives of other development partners. It focuses on strengthening the management and administration of the National Health Insurance scheme, supporting policy development and implementation to expand population coverage and financial protection and raise awareness on social health protection. Capacity building is an important element of the project and is mainstreamed into the project’s interventions. The Project has a total duration of 44 months.

The NPC Social Health Protection will contribute to the day-to-day efficient and effective implementation of the areas of the project under the responsibility of the ILO in Lao PDR, with a view to ensuring the attainment of its objectives and delivery of the outputs. While accountable to the ILO, the NPC will be expected to develop strong relationships with Ministry of Health, particularly the National Health Insurance Bureau and Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and particularly the Lao Social Security Office, Lao Federation of Trade Unions, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the UN, the Embassy of Luxembourg and other national institutions in general. 

Reporting lines

The National Project Coordinator will work under direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser of the ILO/Luxembourg Project “Building social protection floors for all/support to the Extension of Social Health Protection in South-East Asia”. S/he will work in close collaboration with other project team members and other related programmes/projects of the Country Office as required. In particular, the NPC will closely work with the ILO specialists on social protection, actuarial services and inspections attached to the ILO Decent Work Team in Bangkok.

Description of Duties

1.    Lead the project timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan.
2.    Work in close collaboration with ILO constituents and relevant organizations in Lao PDR 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.    Contribute proposals to the project development and draft concept notes and terms of reference, project background, project reviews and evaluation. Conduct research and provide technical inputs for country analyses, reports and publications related to social health protection issues in Lao PDR.
4.    Monitor progress of the project by designing, reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, budget proposal, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
5.    Under the CTA supervision, provide technical assistance to national partners, namely the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and the Social Partners in the definition and implementation of social protection policies and programs
6.    Identify problems, propose solutions and actions and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
7.    Provide or ensure access to legal and policy advice to the government and the social partners on issues related to the effective implementation of the fundamental principles and rights at work in the area of social security, in line with the project’s objectives
8.    Organize training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding on fundamental principles and rights to social security, in line with the project’s objectives.
9.    Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions and recommendations on social security related matters, in line with the project’s objectives.
10.    Provide programming and administrative support to cooperation activities in the area of social health insurance protection, and closely collaborate with other relevant programmes of the Country Office to identify and take advantage of opportunities for enhanced programme synergy and greater outcome with other ILO activities in Lao PDR. 

optional section (if needed)

11.    Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical activities under the project including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.
12.    Represent the project in various fora, under the guidance of the CTA
13.    Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.
14.    Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in Bangkok, other colleagues in the field and HQ on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
15.    Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project’s components according to the project’s document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor.
16.    Ensure high-level communications to increase project’s visibility at the national and international levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with key stakeholders to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance of CO-BAngkok maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole.
17.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in social science, development studies or a relevant field. 

Experience

-    At least three years of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, ideally with a thematic emphasis on social health protection and social security systems implementation and reform, if not, on social issues.
-    Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.
-    Familiarity with UN policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of Health, and Labour and Social Welfare in Lao PDR.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Lao languages.

Competencies

Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts. 
Good knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
Good knowledge of resource mobilization. 
Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities.
Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.

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:

Knowledge of the Lao PDR social security system, including health insurance and understanding of the ILO social security standards are strong advantages. Otherwise, demonstrated capacities to learn efficiently on new topics;
Ability to interact with Government, Civil Society, Academia and the Media on issues related to social security reform;
Research and analytical skills. 
Drafting skills.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
Ability to manage competing priorities. 
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems. 
Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.