Senior National Social Protection Officer

Introduction

While social assistance for the poor remains a defining feature of Iraq’s social protection system, the Government of Iraq has taken significant measures to transition towards a rights-based approach covering life cycle vulnerabilities during childhood, unemployment, maternity, sickness, invalidity and old age. Indeed, in March 2023, Iraq ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 102 on Minimum Standards of Social Security and in November 2023 the Government enacted Law No. 18 of 2023 on Retirement and Social Security for Workers. The new law replaces the previous Retirement and Social Security Law No. 39 of 1971, which had been in effect in Iraq for five decades and expands the legal purview of the social security system to ensure comprehensive coverage for all workers, including those in the informal economy, the self-employed, and contributing family workers. Additionally, the law introduces new entitlements such as maternity and unemployment benefits.

Under the EU funded Joint Programme on Social Protection Reform, and in line with the priorities of the Decent Work Country Programme for Iraq, the ILO Country Office is working in support of the government with the overarching objective of strengthening adequacy, coverage, sustainability and complementarity in the social protection system, especially with regards to social security. The ILO’s engagement on social protection reform revolves around four broad and complementary axes:

1. Identifying solutions to reducing barriers to coverage extension.
2. Institutional capacity development.
3. Research and consultations to inform policymaking.
4. Tripartite legal and policy reform including social security, labour, migrant work issues.

Introduction (Continued)

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the national social protection officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project in federal Iraq with a special focus on the institutional building and capacity strengthening of the Ministry of Labour and Social Assistance (MoLSA), promoting the work of the ILO and coordinating the work of the implementing partners. The incumbent will work closely with ILO constituents, UN project partner agencies and other relevant on-going ILO projects in Iraq in order to insure a proper synergy with the social protection programme.

Reporting lines:

The Senior National Social Protection Officer will be based in Baghdad and will report to the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) in charge of social protection. S/he will work under the overall guidance of ILO’s Iraq Country Coordinator. S/he is expected to teamwork with the Technical Social Protection Specialist, two National Project Officer and the Office Support Unit and closely collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and other ILO office team members. The incumbent will be responsible for advocacy and implementation of project activities in Iraq and will liaise with the project’s partners (government, employer’s and worker’s representatives) among others, to ensure completion of activities according to the project’s work plan.

Description of Duties

1. Assist the CTA in the implementation of the project by identifying innovative interventions and approaches for delivering the project objectives, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. Provide technical assistance and establish good working relationships with national partners, and other local partners including government, national and international agencies and development partners. Review and analyze development plans and policies in Iraq including legislation, socio-economic data, reports and other information relevant to the implementation of the project activities.

3. Support social dialogue and capacity development processes to ensure active engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of social security and social protection reforms.

4. Identify needed expertise, knowledge and capacity gaps of the main stakeholders and propose appropriate technical action, providing direct technical assistance where appropriate. Identify training needs and lead trainings, conferences, workshops, round tables and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities on social protection, labour rights and social dialogue in line with the International Labour Standards. Contribute to the development or adjustment of training/capacity building material or surveys, particularly by providing information and recommendations on the local context and challenges.

5. Participate in the preparation and technical delivery of conferences, seminars, workshops, national dialogue sessions, technical consultations, training sessions and other project meetings.

This includes the following: drafting concept notes, invitation letters, agenda, preparation of technical background documents and reports, and preparation of presentations, draft speeches, make presentations, address meetings on behalf of the project, draft events proceedings and reports, follow up with stakeholders on the outcomes of events.

6. Prepare Terms of Reference for External Collaborators, follow up on submission of deliverables and ensure that they are technically sound and in line with the requirements of the assignment.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. Review and analyze country-specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information; identify technical gaps and possibilities for engagement as well as potential additional future funding for technical cooperation in the assigned technical areas. Support the mobilization of additional resources for implementation of project activities.

8. Establish and maintain close links with relevant national and local stakeholders, such as national and local authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international organization, NGO, private sector actors and media that are active in the area of social protection.

9. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying other officials to provide guidance and coaching to partners in implementing certain assignment and reporting requirement and to identify challenges and propose solutions to resolve them.

10. Contribute to knowledge-management, information-sharing and relevant reporting by carefully documenting activities conducted and identifying opportunities, challenges, good practices and lessons learned for further replication and communication at the country and regional levels.

11. Brief ILO specialists, project staff and consultants, and visiting officials, academics, UN, NGO partners and provide relevant information on the project- related matters. Provide interpretation to other ILO staff and consultants where appropriate.

12. Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

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

An advanced university degree is desirable.

Experience

At least three years of professional experience in the field of labour, employment and social protection. Demonstrated experience in working with social partners (Government, workers, and employers) supporting social security and/or social protection reforms. Demonstrated experience working on labour and social security inspection is an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of Arabic is a must. Full working proficiency in English is required.

Competencies

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:

Technical competencies:

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide 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.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal,
• Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behavior and attitudes are also required.

Competencies (continued)

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organizational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Ability to develop training strategies and design training materials.
• Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

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.