Programme Officer (Social Protection) - NOA

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
• External candidates* 

*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.

Introduction

Lebanon is currently facing a compounded crisis that is affecting the country’s social, political, economic, financial, and fiscal stability. Rising inflation and unemployment rates have led to a large increase in income vulnerability. Lebanon’s national social protection system is extremely weak, with significant policy, legislative and institutional gaps that leave large segments of the population without any support. In this context, while short-term and emergency measures are essential to provide immediate relief to thousands of people, a paradigm shift from the current fragmented social protection programs and measures into a universal, rights-based, and inclusive system is essential, in line with Lebanon’s international and national commitments.

The main form of social protection coverage in Lebanon is contributory social insurance which covered around half of the Lebanese population in 2018, through the National Social Security Fund, a range of public sector social insurance schemes, and mutual funds. Lebanon spends little on Social Assistance for its own population with subsidies crowding out needed expenditure on programmes that could better reach the poor and vulnerable. Social protection gaps have been exacerbated in the context of the recent economic crisis, and the strengthening of social protection system is at the centre of the reform agenda as well as a key priority for international partners.

In light of this, the ILO, has been providing technical assistance to the government of Lebanon on the development of a National Social Protection Strategy, in collaboration with UNICEF and coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The ILO also promotes social dialogue amongst its tripartite partners and supports them in their efforts to identify reforms required to close social security gaps, including extension of social insurance coverage, improving the adequacy of benefits including the reform of the End-of-service Indemnity (EOSI) into an old-age, disability and survivors’ pension scheme and introducing universal healthcare, as well as assisting in the establishment of a national Social Protection Floor (SPF) in the country.

The ILO pursues engagement in these areas through a range of development cooperation projects including a new UNICEF-ILO-EU partnership on “Addressing life-cycle vulnerabilities through social protection – Establishing Social Grants in Lebanon”.

REPORTING LINES

The Programme Officer (Social Protection) will be based in Beirut and will work under the supervision of the Social Protection Officer for Lebanon, with technical backstopping provided by the Senior Social Protection Specialist for the ILO office for the Arab States in Beirut.

Description of Duties

1. Provide project support towards the effective coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DC project activities in the area of social protection in Lebanon, mainly the aforementioned Social Grants program, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. Monitor, assess and report on programme implementation. Prepare technical progress and final reports and other data for the different projects for the submission to donors and internal ILO programming unit. Prepare and update budgets and track expenditures.

3. Assemble and edit data required for planning and negotiation of programme/project activities, considering different approaches and alternative methods for project design, management, problem identification and problem resolution. Review and analyse specific developments in the field of social protection in Lebanon, assess potential technical assistance and provide written analyses on the relevant areas.

4. Develop knowledge base, including the collection, analysis of trends and developments, assessment, documentation and disseminations of major legislation, statistics and relevant data concerning social security and of the various elements of the national social security and protection system and floors.

5. Support preparation of concept notes and project proposals for promoting social security/social protection building on ongoing work in-country. Provide support in social protection research and prepare briefs and communication materials on the status of social security/social protection floor for Lebanon.

6. Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor maintain close liaisons with governments, workers' and employers' organizations, UN organizations, research institutions and non-governmental organizations which are involved in the field of social protection in Lebanon. Liaise regularly with counterparts in UN partner organizations towards effective and coherent design and implementation of activities.

7. Provide technical assistance and capacity building to national partners in the development and implementation of social protection/social security policies and programs.  Coordinate work with external implementing partners, collaborators and consultants, including preparation of Terms of Reference, following up on submission of deliverables and ensuring that they are technically sound and in line with the requirements of the assignment.

8. Support social dialogue processes to ensure active engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of social security and social protection reforms. Oversee the development and implementation of the social security communication and awareness raising campaigns.

9. Participate in the organization of meetings, seminars and workshops and coordinate the implementation with respective stakeholders. This includes the following: drafting concept notes, invitation letters, agenda, preparation of technical background documents and reports, and preparation of presentations.

10. Provide technical inputs to initiatives and programs for SOCPRO, including ILO’s Flagship Program on Building Social Protection Floors for All, and to the semi-annual / annual OBW reports. Draft in, or translate into, local language(s) news releases, official correspondence, statements and other public information material.

11. Undertake missions to project sites mainly to the social security institutions, Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, and social partners with the Social Protection Senior Specialist and other officials.

12. Supervise the work of support staff and interns and perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, public law, public administration, social sciences, development studies or a related field.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience in the field of social protection or social policy, including experience in supporting project development and implementation, research, and policy dialogue.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Arabic.

Competencies

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

Technical competencies:

• Ability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability 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 draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide coordination and technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
• Excellent project administration and management skills.
• Excellent analytical and computer skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to coordinate effectively to obtain cooperation and input from partners.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
• 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.

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.