Introduction

Lebanon continues to face the repercussions of compounded and protracted economic and political crises as well as the Syrian refugee crisis, mostly recently further exacerbated by the broader military escalation across the Middle East and the subsequent intensification of cross-border conflict in 2026. While the formation of a new government at the beginning of 2025 initiated a series of reforms in the social policy sphere, the ongoing 2026 conflict hampered efforts to sustain this reform momentum.

Despite these challenges, Lebanon has made important progress in recent years towards building a universal social protection system, as set out in its first National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS), launched in 2024. The strategy outlines a vision to provide social protection across the life cycle, grounded in three core principles: universality, as part of a human rights-based approach to social protection; shock responsiveness; and financial sustainability.

Even prior to this, in April 2023, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), in partnership with the European Union (EU), UNICEF, and the ILO, launched the National Disability Allowance (NDA). The NDA marked a significant milestone in strengthening Lebanon’s social protection system and advancing a more equitable, rights-based approach accessible throughout the life course; and it has been progressively expanded since its launch, thanks to progressively increasing domestic resource allocations, and continued support from the international community. In the same year, the landmark Law No. 319 was adopted, introducing a modern social insurance pension scheme.

The EU Social Protection Action, “Contributing to building a rights-based social protection system in Lebanon and consolidating social assistance for the most vulnerable” (2024–2027), jointly implemented with UNICEF, aims to strengthen Lebanon’s evolving social protection system in a comprehensive manner. Building on the NSPS, the ILO and UNICEF support investment in system- and policy-level interventions to advance its implementation, including building capacities of relevant social protection stakeholders. At the programme level, the Action specifically supports the NDA as a flagship rights-based initiative providing social protection to Lebanese and non-Lebanese persons with disabilities. In addition, it promotes progress on pension and social health protection reforms, notably the implementation of the new pension scheme under Law No. 319.

In this context, the ILO works closely with the MoSA, its Rights & Access Programme, the Ministry of Labour, the National Social Security Fund, as well as social partners, organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society, and other development partners.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Social Protection Programme Officer will be responsible for providing programme management support, including support for monitoring, reporting, learning, and evaluation, in line with results-based management principles; the conceptualisation and implementation of capacity-building initiatives; and the development, implementation, and coordination of partnerships that advance the ILO’s social protection agenda in Lebanon. This includes partnerships with ILO constituents, OPDs, civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, and UN agencies.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be part of the Social Protection Cluster in Lebanon and report to the Programme Manager and Social Protection Specialist in Lebanon. Additional guidance and backstopping will be provided by the Regional Social Protection Specialist in the Regional Office of Arab States (ROAS). The incumbent will also be expected to engage with relevant colleagues and technical experts working on social protection and RPU in ROAS and the Universal Social Protection Branch in HQ.

Description of Duties

1. Provide support towards the effective planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of ILO social protection project activities in Lebanon, in close coordination with relevant staff in partner organizations, and in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, programming guidelines and results-based monitoring principles, and administrative and financial procedures.
2. Provide support towards documenting good practice and lessons learned related to social protection initiatives, and facilitating knowledge sharing between relevant stakeholders—government partners, social partners, OPDs—within the country and regionally.
3. Support the conceptualisation and implementation of social protection capacity building programmes and initiatives in Lebanon and in the MENA region, including identifying and responding to the needs of tripartite constituents and representatives of other organisations concerned, to contribute to the effective implementation of the NSPS.
4. Provide support to initiate and coordinate effectives partnerships with implementers, collaborators, and consultants, including preparation of Terms of Reference and contractual requirements and process, regular coordination, and follow-up on submission of deliverables including coordination with team members to ensure necessary technical feedback is provided and deliverables are in line with the requirements of the assignment.
5. Support the organisation of social dialogue processes, meetings, seminars, and workshops to ensure active engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of social protection reforms.
6. Liaise and communicate with administrative and focal points at governments, workers' and employers' organizations, OPDs, UN organisations, research institutions and civil society organizations which are involved in the field of social protection in Lebanon.
7. Provide inputs to initiatives and programmes for SOCPRO, including inputs required for ILO’s Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All.
8. Provide input, coordination, and support to policy and research activities under the Social Protection Cluster in Lebanon.
9. Support communication activities, including drafting communication materials, news releases, official correspondence, statements and other public information material, in both English and Arabic.
10. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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 programming, reporting, partnership management, coordination and capacity development processes.

Languages

Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English and Arabic is required.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO’s core competencies (Integrity and transparency, sensitivity to diversity, orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, client orientation, communication, orientation to change, responsibility for performance, quality orientation, collaboration), this position requires:

• Knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation) and programme, project administration, and evaluation concepts and procedures.
• Ability to apply programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts.
• Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Excellent project administration and management skills. Ability to organise work processes efficiently and effectively and to pay attention to detail.
• 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 provide technical support to technical offers and specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Excellent analytical 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 disability-inclusive and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• 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 computer skills.

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.