Social Protection Specialist

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (DWT/CO-Moscow). DWT/CO-Moscow provides overall technical support for the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The Social Protection Specialist will be responsible for: i) providing policy advice and technical assistance to the ILO constituents in the field of social protection policy, including social security and national social protection floors; ii) providing support towards capacity building of ILO constituents in the field of social protection; and iii) supporting and implementing development cooperation projects in the countries covered by DWT/CO-Moscow. In addition, the Social Protection Specialist will promote the inclusion of social protection priorities in the Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) in the countries of coverage.

The position will report to the Director of DWT/CO-Moscow and receive technical guidance and advice from the Director of the Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) at headquarters. The incumbent will work in close cooperation with the other specialists in the DWT/CO team, National Coordinators at the country level and the ILO’s International Training Centre (ITCILO) in Turin.

1. Provide technical advisory services to governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, national social security institutions and others bodies concerned on the concepts, design and implementation of social protection and social security policies and strategies, programmes, action plans and mechanisms formulated to establish comprehensive and adequate social protection systems including national social protection floors, guided by the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No.102), the Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No.202) and other relevant international labour standards.
2. Provide technical advisory services, in close consultation with SOCPRO, DWT/CO- Moscow, and other ILO technical experts, to relevant ministries and the social partners in preparing legislative data and information analysis on social protection and social security, and guide technical work at a country level including the analysis of data, statistics, normative frameworks and national policies.
3. Provide technical advisory services concerning the institutional framework of national social protection systems, especially with regard to the governance and administration of national social protection schemes and programmes.
4. Develop and coordinate the implementation of national and sub-regional strategies on social protection, including on the extension of social protection through social protection floors. Collaborate with other social protection specialists in the region and at headquarters on the development of a regional strategy.
5. Collaborate with the United Nations system agencies and members of the Social Protection Inter-Agency Coordination Board (SPIAC-B) on the design and implementation of social protection policies, programmes and mechanisms.
6. Manage and undertake research and ensure information sharing on comparative analysis of country experiences, including national social protection floors, with a view to assisting constituents in identifying good country practices and developing coherent strategies for developing, implementing and evaluating social protection policies. This includes drafting of reports, policy briefs and fact sheets.
7. Support social protection institutions as well as other relevant government institutions, employers' and workers' organizations in developing their capacity to individually and collaboratively strengthen compliance with national legislation and applicable collective agreements consistent with international labour standards on social protection.

8. Promote international labour standards related to social protection and social security, and support the incorporation of social protection policies and issues into national development frameworks, employment policies, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks and related initiatives. This involves providing technical assistance to the Chief Technical Advisors/Project Managers of development cooperation projects, international experts and national staff.

9.  Design, coordinate, implement, monitor and report on bilateral or multilateral development cooperation projects in particular in the area of social protection, in close consultation with ILO constituents, and concerned programmes in the field and at headquarters, including the Social Protection Department. Liaise with donors and potential partners with a view to securing development cooperation resources for social protection activities.

10. Represent the ILO as specialist on social protection in high-level fora, conferences and taskforces at national, subregional, regional and international levels that may also involve other international organizations.

11. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

1. Design and promote a wide range of special subject-matter-related programmes, This involves: re-analysis of complex or conflicting data, statistics and information or policy guidelines, in a manner requiring the advanced application of principles of a recognised technical specialisation. 
2. Develop and review an institutional framework, in which social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and equitable ILO action programmes.
3. Provide policy advice to ILO’s constituents on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards and the promotion of development cooperation activities.
4. Formulate and submit project proposals and seek funding.
5. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the project activities.
6. Undertake technical advisory missions independently or in collaboration with other specialists.
7. Conduct seminars, workshops and technical meetings and training courses.
8. Prepare draft recommendations and guidelines for discussion and adoption as ILO Recommendations or Conventions on related technical fields.
9. Write manuals and/or training guides on related topics.
10. Disseminate information on programmes through publications and, press releases, as well as ensuring representation at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national fora and advocacy campaigns.
11. Monitor and coordinate research carried out by junior technical officers and external collaborators.
12. Provide technical inputs to office documents (sectoral meetings, technical committees, regional meetings and conference reports).
13. Participate in tripartite reviews on development cooperation activities and international meetings and conferences.

Advanced university degree in economics, political science, social sciences, actuarial studies, legal or other relevant field, with demonstrated expertise on social protection and social inclusion issues.

At least eight years' experience in social protection including social insurance and social assistance or five years at the international level. Experience in working closely with governments and/or employers' and workers' organizations on social protection and social inclusion as well as other related policy areas. Experience in both qualitative and quantitative research and analysis would be an advantage. Relevant professional experience in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia would be an advantage.

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

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Technical

Knowledge on social protection policies and issues and conversant with the written works on social protection. Ability to address and communicate with a variety of audiences and to support policy dialogue. Strong analytical skills and proven ability to successfully translate research findings into sound policy guidance and advice; good understanding of statistical methods and ability to manage databases. Ability to formulate new concepts, methodologies and policies and present them at high-level meetings. Ability to provide advice on good practices, to address broader issues outside the field of specialization; develop training materials, project proposals, procedural matters; design and synthesize strategies for programme development in member States; produce reports (e.g. reports for regional conferences and International Labour Conference, technical publications, training manuals and draft resolutions) and evaluate and monitor development cooperation activities and projects. Good understanding of international labour standards and the importance of a gender-sensitive approach.

Behavioural

Good communication, presentation and negotiating skills and appreciation of the tripartite structure and procedures of the ILO. Ability to prioritize work and meet tight deadlines. High standards of integrity, professionalism, personal discipline. Strong diplomatic skills, and ability to build and nurture relationships.

Good inter-personal skills and ability to liaise and cooperate with other members of the team and other programmes and field offices. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.