Technical Officer on Social Protection Data, P3

Introduction

The ILO has a short-term opportunity for the temporary replacement of a staff member. The opportunity is time bound and there is no expectation of extension beyond the period of 6 months.

 
The position is located in the Public Finance, Actuarial and Statistics unit (SOC/PFACTS) of the Universal Social Protection Department (SOCPRO). SOC/PFACTS is responsible for providing financial, actuarial and statistical advice to constituents applying the principles and values of ILO social security standards. The Unit leads work on articulating ILO positions on social security reforms, as well as costing and financing of schemes, providing options for fiscal space and financial governance of social protection schemes. The Unit is also responsible for the collection, statistical processing and production of global social protection data through the Social Security Inquiry (SSI) and other international sources. This data is used for producing the ILO’s flagship World Social Protection Report and for monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and particularly SDG indicator 1.3.1 (implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable). To monitor and disseminate data for SDG 1.3.1, SOCPRO established the World Social Protection Database (WSPDB), which provides in-depth country-level statistics on various dimensions of social protection systems, including key indicators for national policy-makers, officials of international organizations and researchers. Most of the data for the World Social Protection Database is collected through the ILO Social Security Inquiry (SSI), an administrative survey regularly submitted to governments, complemented by existing international data. The World Social Protection Report is based on WSPDB data and statistics. Another critical source of data is the Social Protection Monitor (SPM), which is a collection of announced social protection measures around the world.

The main role of the position includes statistical research, data collection, compilation and data analysis activities of the Department, as well as progressive automation of the Social Protection Monitor, databases and data collection instruments with the further application of these tools in the countries. The position requires working very closely with other technical specialists of the Department as well as collaborating with social protection field specialists and other technical units of the ILO.

The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Head of SOC/PFACTS, and ultimately report to the Director of SOCPRO. 

Description of Duties

1. Provide technical and policy support to the work unit in the areas of development of internationally comparable social protection statistics and indicators, including on health protection. 
2. Contribute to the development of the World Social Protection Database (WSPDB). Ensure the maintenance and application of the ILO Social Security Inquiry (SSI), its database through constant review and updates of its concept and methodology.
3. Participate in tasks to seek complementarities with other on-going statistical and database work at the Office level.
4. Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Quantitative Platform on Social Security (QPSS), in particular the online version of SSI along with other tools. 
5. Actively participate as a resource person in capacity-building training for the constituents and in the promotion of the QPSS.
6. Support the design and development of statistics on social health protection, including disaggregation by sex, seeking its integration as part of the SSI and the WSPDB and other data processing and publication tools managed by the Department.
7. Prepare and disseminate training manuals and toolkits on the SSI and monitoring of SDG targets on social protection.
8. Ensure the maintenance of the Social Protection Monitor tool in order to keep an updated inventory and analysis of social protection measures around the world, including the dashboard on the SOCPRO Social Protection Platform.
9. Provide technical support to ILO constituents and other relevant stakeholders pertaining to Social Protection Statistics, with a view to promoting the Decent Work Agenda. This includes enhancing the use of administrative records for statistical purposes, specifically for SDG 1.3.1 monitoring; strengthening the technical capacity of the staff of the national social protection institutions and statistical offices and ministries in processing the data and calculating indicators derived from administrative records data and other sources. 
10. Undertake policy-oriented quantitative research and analysis that takes into account gender and diversity considerations in the area(s) of Social Protection Statistics. 
11. Participate in the identification of capacity development needs of constituents in relation to Social Protection Statistics and make proposals on how to address them. Prepare related training and learning materials and activities in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable. Deliver training to diverse audiences using innovative methods and communication tools and leveraging the use of digital technologies. Participate in knowledge sharing activities.
12. Support resource mobilization efforts for new projects and activities including by leveraging opportunities for collaboration with partners and proposing new initiatives/activities, in the field of Social Protection Statistics.
13. Organize, assist in and/or facilitate meetings and other events in the areas of Social Protection Statistics, including proposing agenda items, identifying participants, preparing technical materials, proposing facilitation techniques, preparing and delivering presentations, drafting summary reports and monitoring follow-up. 
14. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in statistics, applied mathematics, economics, development studies or other relevant field.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned field(s) or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least five years of experience in social protection data, extensive experience in statistics and data analysis, including the development of social statistics databases and their conceptual and methodological use, including at the international level. Proven experience in EXCEL, Power BI, Tableau or other data visualization tools and SPSS or STATA (or equivalent software) is a requirement. Prior experience in data analysis and research on social protection is a requirement.

Experience in providing technical assistance in the field of social protection to countries would be an asset. Knowledge of Python or R would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. A working knowledge of  a second ILO working language (Spanish, French) is required. 

Competencies

Knowledge and technical/behavioral competencies 

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following is required:

• Good knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of social protection statistics. 
• The ability to conceptualize and design research techniques and analyze complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field. 
• Capability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff or young professionals. 
• Ability to prepare reports and publications of a high quality, technically sound with conclusions leading to an action plan and programme development and ability to provide credible implementation assistance to senior specialists in carrying out research, project formulation and implementation. 
• Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities.
• Knowledge of IT applications for information collection, management and dissemination. 
• Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques. 
• Ability to identify sources and develop methods for data collection. 
• Good research and analytical skills.  
• Good drafting skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new IT software and systems. 
• Good communication skills, presentation skills. Persuasion and ability to present technical arguments to convince counterparts on a course of action.
• Ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and work well in a tripartite context. 
• Ability to present/promote the technical area of work and the ILO's position on it to partners using a wide range of techniques and technologies.
• Ability to assess, adapt and amend individual and group assignments (policies, approaches, models) to meet new or changed needs and situations.
• Ability to share knowledge and provide technical advice and guidance in the technical area.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behavior and attitudes.