Introduction

Developed in the aftermath of conflict with ISIS and during the COVID-19 crisis, the Joint UN Programme (JP) on Social Protection Reform was designed to support the Government of Iraq to ‘accelerate reform in the medium and longer term’ and build a coherent and sustainable national social protection system starting from a humanitarian context. Five years later, the country has transitioned to a development context, albeit the regional context remains volatile. The programme has steered the transition from social assistance to contributory social protection by supporting Iraq’s ratification of Convention on Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention No 102, the passage of a new federal law on Social Security that aligns with the convention, and a doubling of effective private social protection coverage from 6 to 15 per cent. That said, challenges remain, chief among them: Iraq’s social protection offer is still fragmented. An effective national social protection strategy defining the transition from social assistance to other forms of social protection, such as contributory social protection and active labour market interventions, remains an elusive proposition despite the programme’s efforts. The project comprises seven interlinked components, with ILO leading on a) comprehensive social protection system covering vulnerable workers including those in the informal economy; b) older persons (and persons with disabilities) in Iraq have improved access to social protection benefits including contributory and non-contributory pension benefit c) the ILO will contribute to a component for more effective and better coordinated social protection response to address socio-economic impacts on poverty and vulnerability in the short term.

Reporting lines:

The CTA will be based in Baghdad and will work report to the ILO’s Iraq Country Coordinator. Technical backstopping will be provided by the Regional Social Protection Specialist for the ILO in the Decent Work Team at the Regional Office for the Arab States.

The incumbent will liaise, receive support from and coordinate with the colleagues from the Social Protection Department in HQ and other relevant technical specialists at the HQ and in the regional office of the Arab States.

The incumbent will also oversee the work of international and national officers recruited under the project and any international and local consultants as part of the project.

Description of Duties

1. Ensure effective implementation of the EU project in Iraq, through timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programmes, and administrative and financial procedures. Ensure effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project.

2. Manage efficiently the human resources of Social Protection team in Iraq and Kurdistan, including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the work of officials working under the project and in other projects in the area of social protection in Iraq and Kurdistan.

3. In close collaboration with ILO’s Iraq Country Coordinator, ensure technical coherence among various ILO activities and projects in the area of social protection in Iraq and Kurdistan and promote linkages between Social Protection activities.

4. Under the technical supervision of the Social Protection Specialist in Beirut, be the focal point for Social Protection issues in Iraq and Kurdistan. Provide high-level policy advice and advocacy to Government, Workers and Employers organizations, key development partners and other stakeholders on issues of relevance to social protection.

5. Review, analyse and interpret economic, social and political trends in Iraq and Kurdistan. Identify trends or developments for which further research and programme development work is required to adequately respond to growing and changing needs in the area of social protection in Iraq and Kurdistan. Provide analysis and recommendations to senior management on technical cooperation activities and formulate and set priorities.

6. Under the technical supervision of the Social Protection Specialist in Beirut, promote ILO social protection policies in the related technical areas of the project and more generally in Iraq and Kurdistan, in-line with the relevant International Labour Standards.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. In coordination with the country coordinator, establish and manage relationship to cooperate and coordinate with the concerned governments, ministries and the employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and the donor, in the planning and implementation of activities under the project. Ensure effective coordination with a range of relevant national policies and the strategies of various projects, including those being undertaken by other agencies or in complementary fields of activity.

8. In close collaboration with ILO’s Iraq Country Coordinator, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the project's interventions including resource mobilisation.

9. Maintain strong relationships with multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the formulation and operation of country related technical cooperation programmes in the area of social protection and in other potential projects in in the social protection portfolio in Iraq and Kurdistan.

10. Ensure effective reporting and dissemination of technical activities covered under the project. Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of planning and implementation. Collaborate with the Regional office, DWT and ILO Social Protection Department on development of regional and global reports and analyses in the area of social protection.

11. Identify capacity development needs and lead training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

12. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, public administration, management, social science, development studies or a related field (or a university degree plus equivalent expertise).

Experience

At least ten years of relevant experience in the management of development cooperation activities, of which at least seven years at the international level. This includes field experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects, preferably in the fields of social protection and demonstrable familiarity with International Social Protection Standards. At least four years demonstrated expertise in senior positions in the technical field of social protection.

Proven management experience, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, 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 in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, including experience in managing large and complex development cooperation projects would be an advantage, as would be work experience in the context of Iraq.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.  

Competencies

• 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.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies and 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 develop training strategies and design training materials.
• Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
• 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.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation project/programme activities with partners and to effectively mobilise resources for further social protection programming.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to provide high quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual’s skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.

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.