Consultancy

                        VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT       VACANCY No:                    2017/Excol 1 Project Title:                          Lebanon Employment and Infrastructure Programme - Creating decent work opportunities for displaced Syrians and host communities through infrastructure improvement in Lebanon Position Title:                         Social Safeguards Officer Grade of the post:                 External Collaborator Contract Type:                      Consultancy Duty Station:                         Beirut (3), Jounieh (1), Baalbeck (2), Tripoli (2), Akkar (2) Duration of Post:                   6 months Organization unit:                 Regional Office for Arab States Deadline of application:        31 July 2017       1.       Introduction:   In September 2016, it was estimated that 1,017,433 displaced Syrians live in Lebanon, which is about a quarter of Lebanon's estimated 4.3 million native residents. This substantial influx has severely affected the country's socio-economic situation and has resulted in unprecedented restrictions on Syrians entering Lebanon since late 2014. Labour market challenges have been exacerbated by the crisis and the unemployment rate has doubled to 12%. The informality rate of the country has increased by 10%.   The infrastructure that prior to the crisis was substandard, suffered tremendously under the influx of the large number of displaced Syrians. Public infrastructure including roads, waste management systems (sewage systems etc.), electricity grids and public buildings such as schools and healthcare facilities are deteriorating at a rapid speed. While most of the infra-structure is currently still functioning, it will cease to be usable if investments and maintenance are not undertaken soon.   Against this backdrop, the ILO ROAS office and UNDP have responded to the strong call for international assistance to expand assistance to host communities and displaced Syrians on livelihood support, in particular aiming at job creation and have partnered in the implementation of a project entitled: "Creating decent work opportunities for displaced Syrians and host communities through infrastructure improvement, in Lebanon". The ILO-led project that will be funded by KFW (Federal Reconstruction Credit Institute) aims: 1) to improve access to decent employment of Lebanese Host Community Members and displaced Syrians and 2) to improve infrastructure and public assets for Lebanon.   The project will directly create mid- to long-term job opportunities for Lebanese (in particular skilled labour in the construction sector) as well as temporary work opportunities for Lebanese job-seekers (semi-skilled) and displaced Syrians.   2.   Reporting lines:   The incumbent of the position will work within the Ministry of Labour’s labour Inspectorate or in the regional offices of the MOL, and will carry out full-time tasks under the day to day coordination of the MOL LEIP Coordinator and will report monthly to the ILO Chief Technical Advisor and work in close coordination with the Lebanon Programme Officer based at ROAS. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Decent Work Adviser and the Capacity Development Officer in the Ministry of Labour, and will work closely with of Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Social Affairs staff based in the regions.   3.      Duties and responsibilities:   The main objective of the consultancy is to facilitate, support, coordinate and monitor social safeguard measures and community engagement activities of the Lebanon Employment and Infastructure Programme (LEIP). The Consultant will conduct the tasks in assigned District. The consultant will undertake the assignment in close collaboration with the regional offices of Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Social Affairs, Municipalities, Contractors, the ILO/UNDP Technical Assistance team. The Consultant will report daily to the LHSP Area Office in the region and technically to the ILO Decent Work Advisor. LEIP will provide the consultant with transportation support and necessary guidance to enable him/her to carry out the consultancy.   Key outputs include weekly labour inspection reports, minutes of coordination meetings, training reports and monthly updates on implementation of the SSF.       Particular activities under the consultancy include, but are not limited to:   Establish cooperative relationships with and facilitate communication between District Government Officials, Municipalities, community members and contractors in order to facilitate community involvement in the construction works, mitigate conflicts and to ensuring an efficient and effective implementation of the project activities. Implement the community engagement strategy, including the Social Safeguards Famework to assist communities bordering the worksite to participate in the construction and maintenance activities. Facilitate community meetings, collect requested baseline data and information and support the LEIP M&E community-level activities Support the development process and implementation of Decent Work interventions and Support capacity building for MOL and MoSA related to Decent Work principles Organize awareness-raising and training activities relating to social safeguards and ensure social safeguards measures are put into practice throughout the LEIP program Monitor work conditions on LEIP construction sites, ensuring adherence to labour laws and Decent Work principles Identify issues, blockages, misunderstandings or other possible misgivings occurring at community related components of the LEIP and provide suggestions for corrective action. Identify possible collaboration mechanisms with other partners in the field, such as the LHSP and other development initiatives in the region that may impact LEIP’s objectives Support the LEIP Technical Team in promoting women’s involvement in the works Perform other relevant tasks requested by the Chief Technical Adviser     4.      Required qualifications:   Education: First level university degree in social sciences, engineering  or other related field, and preferably experience in social facilitation / community engagement.   Language Excellent command of English and Arabic.   Experience: -     Minimum of two years of work experience in relevant field, preferably with a focus on Decent Work issue, and in facilitation of community engagement and/or community development. Previous experience and familiarity with the communities in Mt Lebanon/Bekaa/North is an asset   Competencies: -       Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise -       Professional and personal endurance and commitment to complete assignments efficiently and effectively in a high demanding working environment -       Conscientious and diligent approach to work and to complying with agreed timelines. -       Ability to facilitate discussions and to mediate between different individuals and groups. -        Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation -        Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information -        Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative -          Demonstrated skills in gender analysis and conflict resolution / mitigation is an advantage -        Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility -        Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline -        Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy. -        Sensitivity to diversity - work effectively with multi-national, multi-ethnic project team members and have a gender sensitive behaviour and attitude -        Client orientation - understand and respond to needs of various government agencies, representatives of employers and of trade unions, other international agencies, NGOs, and financial partners -        Good computing skills, at least Microsoft Words and emails             CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT   Remuneration:                      US$ 2,000 p.m. Travel allowance (LS):          US$ 500 p.m.   Payment Terms A lump sum of US$2,500 will be paid at the end of each month to the consultant upon receipt of monthly progress report, including and an invoice (in ILO format) to the satisfaction of the ILO. The Monthly Report shall include (i) daily plan and record of activities as approved by the CTA (ii) weekly labour inspection reports from the sites covered by the SSO (iii) records of meeting and training activities (iv) update on the implementation of the SSF and (v) data and information collected as requested by the LEIP M&E Officer.   Insurance The ILO accepts no liability in the event of death, injury or illness of the External Collaborator. The External Collaborator attests that he/she is adequately covered by insurance for these risks. In no circumstances shall the External Collaborator be covered by any ILO insurance and it is his/her responsibility to take out, at his/her own expense, any personal insurance policies he/she may consider necessary, including a civil liability insurance policy.   Unsatisfactory or incomplete work In the event that the work provided for in this contract is unsatisfactory or fails to conform to the conditions set out above, the ILO reserves the right, as appropriate, to interrupt it, to request that it be corrected or modified, or to refuse to accept it. In such cases payment may be made in consideration of the work performed to the satisfaction of the Director-General.   Termination of contract In case of fraud, manipulation and/ or misconduct the Social Safeguards Officer will be considered resigned from work upon receiving a written notice. He/ she will not get any remuneration or pay for the work he/she did not complete properly.   Duration of contract The contract starts on 15 August 2017 and ends on 15 February 2018.       HOW TO APPLY Prospective candidates will be interviewed and may also be required to sit for a written examination. Applicants should send their Curriculum Vitae/resume to:   BEIRUT-JOBS@ilo.org by indicating the above-mentioned vacancy number.   Applications must include precise information on education, work experience (name of organization, starting and ending dates, work performed, name of supervisor and contact), and other relevant experience and skills.