Introduction

The Government of Iraq has demonstrated their strong commitment towards reforming the social protection system in Iraq, to ensure adequate support to all those in need. This is exemplified not only in the priority position that social protection reform has in various government strategies and policies, but also in recent legal instruments with objectives related to social protection coverage extension, as well as the recent efforts to ratify ILO Convention 102 on Social Security (Minimum Standards).

Under the EU funded Joint Programme on Social Protection Reform, and in line with the priorities of the Decent Work Country Programme for Iraq, the ILO Country Office is working in support of the government with the overarching objective of strengthening adequacy, coverage, sustainability and complementarity in the social protection system. The ILO’s engagement on social protection reform revolves around four broad and complementary axes:

1. Evidence generation and broad consultations to inform policymaking.
2. Tripartite legal reform including social security laws, labor laws, migrant workers laws, and other labor-related instructions and bylaws.
3. Capacity strengthening
4. Identifying solutions to reducing barriers to coverage extension

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the national social protection officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project with a special focus on the institutional building and capacity strengthening of MOLSA and promoting the work of the ILO and coordinating the work of the implementing partners. The incumbent will work closely with ILO constituents, UN project partner agencies and other relevant on-going ILO projects in Iraq in order to insure a proper synergy with related initiatives to the one of the project.

Reporting lines

The national social protection officer will be based in Baghdad and will work in close collaboration with ILO’s Iraq Country Coordinator, under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) in charge of the project. The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of the project activities in Iraq and will liaise with the project’s partners (government, employer’s and worker’s representatives) among others, to ensure completion of activities according to the project’s work plan.

Description of Duties

1. Assist the Country Coordinator and the CTA in the implementation of the project by identifying innovative interventions and approaches for delivering the project objectives, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. Provide technical assistance and establish good working relationships with national and KRI partners, and other local partners including government, national and international agencies and development partners. Review and analyse development plans and policies in Iraq including KRI, legislation, socio-economic data, reports and other information relevant to the implementation of the project activities.

3. Support social dialogue and capacity development processes to ensure active engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of social security and social protection reforms.

4. Identify needed expertise, knowledge and capacity gaps of the main stakeholders and propose appropriate technical action, providing direct technical assistance where appropriate. Identify training 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. Contribute to the development or adjustment of training/capacity building material or surveys, particularly by providing information and recommendations on the local context and challenges.

5. Participate in the preparation and technical delivery of conferences, seminars, workshops, national dialogue sessions, technical consultations, training sessions and other project meetings. This includes the following: drafting concept notes, invitation letters, agenda, preparation of technical background documents and reports, and preparation of presentations, draft speeches, make presentations and address meetings on behalf of the project.

6. Prepare Terms of Reference for External Collaborator, follow up on submission of deliverables and ensure that they are technically sound and in line with the requirements of the assignment.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. Review and analyse country-specific development plans and priorities, socioeconomic data, reports and other relevant information; identify potential additional future funding for technical cooperation in the assigned technical areas. Support the mobilisation of additional resources for implementation of project activities.

8. Establish and maintain close links with relevant national, KRI, and local stakeholders, such as national and local authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international organization, NGO, private sector actors and media that are active in the area of social protection.

9. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying other officials; to provide guidance and coaching to partners in implementing certain assignment and reporting requirement and to identify challenges and propose solutions to resolve them.

10. Brief ILO specialists, project staff and consultants, and visiting officials, academics, UN, NGO partners and provide relevant information on the project- related matters. Provide interpretation to other ILO staff and consultants where appropriate.

11. Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in labor-related disciplines, economics, public law, public administration, social sciences, development studies or a related field. An advanced university degree is desirable.

Experience

Three years of professional experience in the in the field of labor market, social policies, and social security. Demonstrated experience in working with social partners (Government, workers, and employers) supporting social security and/or social protection reforms is a must. Demonstrated experience working on labor and social security inspection is an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of Arabic is a must. A working proficiency in English is required.

Competencies

• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
• 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 training strategies and design training materials.
• Ability to formulate project proposals, policy documents and procedural matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

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.