Introduction

The Universal Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) is responsible for promoting enhanced coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all through comprehensive, efficient and sustainable national social protection systems, including floors, in line with provisions of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), the Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202) and other ILO social security standards, and reflected in the SDGs. It provides, at the request of member States, technical advice for the formulation of national policies, the design of social protection systems, including floors, as well as for their implementation and monitoring. The Department covers the full range of social protection throughout the life course, including access to health care, various contributory and non-contributory benefits in case of sickness, maternity, unemployment, disability, old age, poverty and social exclusion, as well as child and family benefits.

The position is located within the Social Policy Unit of the Universal Social Protection Department (SOC/POLICY). Under the Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All (Flagship Programme), the ILO supports country-level and global level partnerships, such as P4H and USP 2030, to build sustainable social health protection schemes within comprehensive social protection systems. The Flagship Programme operates in 50 countries. Within the framework of assigned development cooperation projects, the incumbent will contribute to the extension of social protection with a focus on social health protection in developing countries, by providing technical expertise and support to project implementation. 

Reporting lines

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Health Protection Specialist and the overall supervision of the Head of the Social Policy Unit of the Universal Social Protection Department, and in close collaboration with the project managers and technical teams at global, regional and country levels. The incumbent will be placed under the overall responsibility of the Director of the Universal Social Protection Department of the ILO. 

Description of Duties

The position will contribute to the delivery of the activities regarding social protection, with a focus on social health protection, within the assigned development cooperation projects. 

The incumbent will:

1. Provide technical inputs in line with ILO standards, policies and principles on social protection, including social health protection, to the different country teams of the assigned projects with regards to extension strategies, scheme architecture, design, financing and management. This requires an approach tailored to the informal economy in its diversity and conducive of gender equality and inclusiveness of groups that may experience discrimination, such as migrants, refugees and forcibly displaced persons. This encompasses guiding, supervising and complementing the work of external collaborators as required. 
2. Compile lessons learned and ensure the completion of assigned research and knowledge products. This includes supporting the elaboration, evidence generation, drafting and publishing of research and knowledge products within assigned projects.
3. Support capacity building, social dialogue and knowledge sharing on the extension of social protection and particularly social health protection, including through field missions in the countries of assigned projects. This includes liaising and ensuring efficient and effective communication between different project partners.
4. Contribute to programming and operational support for the activities planned under the assigned projects and support resource mobilization. This includes supporting the project cycle management of existing projects and the development of project proposals, including liaising with donors and potential partners with a view to securing development cooperation resources.
5. Prepare substantive inputs to relevant monitoring and evaluation documents and programme progress reports in close collaboration with the responsible staff for each project, and enter information on activities, outputs, results and impact in the online results measurement tool of the Social Protection Department as required.
6. Support the budget execution of assigned development cooperation projects as may be required. This includes supporting the administration of projects, including through coordination and planning, implementation and timely delivery of the budget of the project in accordance with ILO administrative and financial procedures. 
7. Mainstream gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the work, especially as related to the extension of social protection, including social health protection.
8. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, public health, social science, or other related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a 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 relevant professional experience, preferably in the fields of health insurance, social health protection, health financing, social protection or a related field such as social policy, including migration. Experience at the international level is a requirement.
• Previous experience implementing interventions on the extension of health insurance, health services and/or social protection to uncovered groups as well as inclusiveness of vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees or in rural settings would be a strong advantage.
• Previous experience in conducting analytical work with practical implications on the extension of social protection would be an advantage, specifically on medical care, sickness or maternity benefits would be a plus.

Languages

Excellent command of English is essential. Working knowledge of French is highly desirable, fluency would be a strong asset. Working knowledge of additional languages would be an advantage.  

Competencies

• Good knowledge and understanding of theories, trends and approaches in the area(s) of social protection in particular related to social health protection.
• 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.
• Excellent organizational skills and experience administering development cooperation projects.
• Good programme formulation, implementation and evaluation techniques.
• Demonstrated computer literacy, especially with Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory  behaviour and attitudes.