Introduction

While forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) face specific vulnerabilities, including psychological trauma, lack of opportunity and protection risks including lack of access to social protection, host communities (HCs) also struggle to pursue their own development efforts in an environment where socio-economic opportunities are scarce and social protection coverage is limited. . As displacement has become increasingly protracted, responses are focusing more on durable solutions backed by more dignified, inclusive, and comprehensive programmes for refugees and the communities that host them.

In response to the challenges facing both host communities and refugees, a partnership initiative titled: ‘PROSPECTS - Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, has been launched by the Government of the Netherlands that brings together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. 

Under the first phase of the Partnership initiative, partners joined their efforts to develop a new paradigm in responding to forced displacement crises in 8 countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda). The second phase is ongoing and spans from 2024 to 2027. 

The overall objective of PROSPECTS in Kenya is to improve the living standards and inclusion of refugees, asylum-seekers, and  host communities by contributing to the expansion of socio-economic opportunities through better education and training and mainstreamed protection interventions including extension of social protection coverage to all 

With a geographical focus on Turkana and Garissa counties, PROSPECTS Kenya works under three main pillars, as follows:

1. Increase access to FDPs and HC to quality education, skills and learning opportunities. 
2. Improved livelihoods and expanded economic opportunities for FDPs and HCs, through access to entrepreneurship and employment with dignity.

.

Increased Government Protection for FDPs and HCs and increased Inclusion of FDPs and HCs in Community-based, Local and/or National Social Protection System and programmes.
The social protection interventions under PROSPECTS are aligned with the ILO’s framework regarding creation and improvement of countries’ national social protection systems, including floors, as defined in ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No.202). Recommendation No.202 provides the guidance for design of basic income security to all across the lifecycle enabling, access to essential health care including maternity and newborn care and access to nutrition and education for children. National social protection floor is a foundational component of a comprehensive system which protects people against nine common lifecycle contingencies: maternity, having children/family; unemployment, employment injury, ill health, sickness, disability, loss of breadwinner, old age.   ILO leads global Flagship Programme: Building Social Protection Floors for All of which Kenya is a member.  

Furthermore, technical assistance under PROSPECTS is complementary to other ILO efforts to strengthen national social protection system in Kenya. These span from extension of social health protection to all, through costing and introduction of child/disability benefit, enhancement of single registry, portability of social security benefits and identification of fiscal space and sustainable financing and are implemented in collaboration with other UN Agencies under UN Joint Programme on Social Protection. Incumbent for this position will be required to coordinate PROSPECTS activities with a broader ILO work on social protection system strengthening.

Reporting lines

The incumbent will perform his/her duties under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and under the technical lead of the Decent Work Team Social Protection Specialist for Eastern and Southern Africa. S/he will work in close collaboration with other project team members and other social protection programmes/projects of the Country Office as required, the Social Protection Specialist at the Regional Office for Africa & Universal Social Protection Department based in Geneva.

Description of Duties

• Lead the timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project’s activities on social protection, through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan.
• Work in close collaboration with ILO constituents and relevant organizations in Kenya to design and revise project annual work plans on social protection as well as preparation of the budget proposal, considering different approaches and alternative methods, management, problem identification and problem resolution, especially for the parts of the Project supporting the institutional and capacity development of constituents, government agencies, line ministries, and social partners on social protection.
• Contribute proposals to the project development and draft concept notes and terms of reference, project background, project reviews and evaluation. Conduct research and provide technical inputs for country analyses, reports and publications related to social protection issues in Kenya.
• Monitor progress of the project’s social protection activities by designing, reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, budget proposals, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
• Respond to requests for technical assistance on the feasibility, design, implementation and extension of social protection schemes that are inclusive of FDP, refuges and gender-responsive in line with relevant International Social Security Standards and contribute to the promotion of relevant ILO Conventions.
• Provide technical assistance to national partners, namely the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the National Social Protection Secretariat, National Social Security Fund, Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Social Partners and the EAC Secretariat, in the definition and implementation of social protection policies and programs.
• Identify problems, propose solutions and actions and follow up with DWT, relevant departments at the headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organisations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
• Provide or ensure access to policy advice to the government and the social partners on issues related to the effective implementation of social protection activities, in line with the project’s objectives
• Organise training programmes and awareness-raising activities to improve understanding of social protection, in line with the project’s objectives.
• Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO standards on social protection, in line with the project’s objectives.
• Provide programming and administrative support and closely collaborate with other relevant social protection programmes of the Country Office to identify and take advantage of opportunities for enhanced programme synergy and greater outcomes in Kenya.

.

• Establish and develop a knowledge management system covering technical activities on social protection under the project, including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.
• Represent the project in various fora, under the guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor.
• Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organisations in the planning and implementation of social protection activities under the project.
• Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO Decent Work Team in Pretoria, other colleagues in the field and HQ on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
• Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of the project’s components on social protection according to the project’s document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor.
• Ensure high-level communications to increase the project’s visibility. This includes the responsibility to liaise with key stakeholders to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned 

Required qualifications

Education

First level University degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in Law, social science, development studies or a relevant field. 

Experience

• At least three years of professional experience at the national level in project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, with a thematic emphasis on social protection.
• Experience working on issues related to refugees and asylum seekers is a strong advantage
• Proven experience providing technical assistance to government and social assistance in the fields of social protection system strengthening and coverage extension; social insurance and social health protection
• Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policymaking and with development partners.
• Familiarity with UN policies and procedures, including experience working with officials of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in Kenya.

Languages

Excellent command of the English language

Competencies

• Proven ability toto use programming and results-based management (RBM) tools and principles in everyday work. 
• Good knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
• Good knowledge of resource mobilisation. 
• Client orientation and ability to be perceptive in coordination processes with partners and stakeholders from different technical areas and perspectives.
• Ability to guide and coordinate technical work with colleagues, external collaborator and partners.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Commitment to gender equity and proven ability to integrate gender considerations in programme work plans and tools.
• Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
• Knowledge of the substantive nature of the Organisation’s work programmes and activities.
• Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.

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:

• Knowledge of the Kenyan social security system, including health insurance, and understanding of the ILO social security standards are strong advantages. Otherwise, demonstrated capacities to learn efficiently on new topics;
• Ability to interact with United Nations partners, Government, Civil Society, Academia and the Media on issues related to social security.
• Research and analytical skills. 
• Drafting skills.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing the quality and efficiency of process execution.
• Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities. 
• Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems. 
• Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.