Social Protection and Migration Technical Specialist

Introduction

The STREAM Programme will operate across the South Asia-Gulf migration corridor bringing together both countries of origin and destination, relevant labour migration stakeholders, and migrant workers to advance the agenda of extending social protection for migrant workers and their families. Under an overarching gender-transformative change approach, STREAM is structured around four axes of work in the 4-year program duration:

1. Policy and regulatory reforms for migrant inclusive and gender sensitive social protection systems across the South-Asian-Gulf corridor
2. Effective and inclusive access to existing and new social protection provisions for women and men migrant workers.
3. Dialogue and coordination between GCC and South Asian countries on the social protection for migrant workers with fair representation of women.
4. A new evidence base for advocacy capacities pertaining to gender -sensitive social protection for migrant workers across the South-Asian-Gulf corridor.

By the end of the program, migrant workers and their families in selected South Asian-Gulf migration corridors would have increased effective access to social protection because of accelerating policy reforms for inclusive social protection systems, enhanced effective access to entitlements, and strengthened dialogue and coordination between origin and destination countries. 

Introduction (continued)

The position will be based either in the ILO country office in Doha (Qatar) or country office Kuwait-City (Kuwait) or in another Gulf country capital. This will be clarified at the time of selection for the position.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and in line with the programme document for the STREAM Programme, the Technical Specialist will be responsible under the guidance and oversight of the STREAM CTA for the delivery of key STREAM outcomes and components, both in the Gulf and with a corridor focus. The incumbent will provide programming support for the development, management and execution of the Programme on both ends of the corridor. The incumbent will provide technical advisory services and promote ILO policies in the programme related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent will administratively report to the Director or Coordinator for the country in which the position will be based. Substantively, the incumbent will report to the CTA of the STREAM Programme who will oversee all programmatic aspects and lead the performance appraisal process, under the strategic supervision of the Decent Work Team Director for the Arab States. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with all other STREAM staff members. S/he will receive technical guidance, support, and follow up by the Regional Social Protection and Labour Migration Specialists in DWT Arab States, other relevant social protection and labour migration specialists and other technical specialists in HQ and cooperate with relevant Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs).

Description of Duties

1. Under the technical and strategic oversight of the STREAM CTA, lead and coordinate the accomplishment of key outcomes and components of the STREAM programme in the Gulf and across the corridor, through planning, timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and the administrative and financial procedures.

2. Provide technical expertise on social protection and labour migration issues, and direct technical assistance to ILO constituents during planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of STREAM activities under the outcomes and components of responsibility, in close collaboration with ILO constituents, ROAS, the responsible Country Offices, and ILO DWT, ILO specialists in HQ.

3. Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the STREAM Programme, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour and Social Security Standards, in collaboration with other specialists in HQ and relevant DWT teams.

4. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project and ensuring that gender issues are explicitly addressed and mainstreamed throughout the project activities and any outputs including final reports or events.

5. Provide technical guidance and support on STREAM strategic vision, workplan and activities across both ends of the Gulf-South Asia corridor on key outcomes and components of the programme, based on an allocation of responsibilities agreed with the STREAM CTA. Take responsibility for the effective management of funds/budgets on specific programme outcomes, outputs and components assigned by the STREAM CTA

6. Support the STREAM CTA in the governance of the programme, the management of the relations with donors and partners, the implementation of adaptive programme management, including planning, budgeting and reporting, the planning and risk monitoring practices, the adoption of appropriate political economy analysis and gender mainstreaming approaches, the setting up of communications, visibility and advocacy strategies, and other programming matters.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. Oversee development and implementation of a periodic and regular reporting to ensure effective oversight of the different components of the inter-regional programme. Ensure effective monitoring and timely reporting of activities of STREAM in the Gulf countries and across the corridor.

8. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the work of all external collaborators, implementing partners and contractors working under STREAM in the outcomes and components of responsibility.

9. Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate in the Gulf countries with governments, ministries, employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of activities.

10. Coordinate and to the extent possible ensure joint delivery of outputs in cooperation with other ILO projects.

11. Support the design, development and presentation of proposals and undertake resource mobilization with the multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the development of partnerships linked to STREAM, under the strategic and technical oversight of the STREAM CTA and other responsible officials in the Regional Office of Arab States.

12. Liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project’s visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the project’s interventions. Write and disseminate information on programme materials. 

13. Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in development studies, gender studies, migration studies, social protection, social sciences, or a related field.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in social protection and migration, including at the international level. This includes field experience in the implementation of projects preferably in the fields of social protection and migration. Demonstrated expertise in programming with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in partnership building and networking and resource mobilization and donor relations. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures and experience working with officials of ministries of labour and other social partners would be an advantage. Technical expertise in social protection is required. Technical expertise in gender would be distinct advantage, as would be experience in the context of the Arab region and the GCC.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English. Proficiency in Arabic would be a distinct advantage.

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Experience in mentoring staff and in coordinating their work.
• 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.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and serves as a role model that other people want to follow and empowers others to translate vision into results. Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives, establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; drives for change and improvements; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing
• Ability to develop project proposals, policy and procedural matters, and to present them at high-level meetings. Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

Competencies (continued)

• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments and social partners, and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

optional section (if needed)

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.