Introduction

Lebanon is currently facing a compounded crisis that is affecting the country’s social, political, economic, financial, and fiscal stability. Rising inflation and unemployment rates have led to a large increase in income vulnerability. Lebanon’s national social protection system is extremely weak, with significant policy, legislative and institutional gaps that leave large segments of the population without any support. In this context, while short-term and emergency measures are needed to provide immediate relief to thousands of people, a paradigm shift from the current fragmented social protection programs and measures into a universal, rights-based, and inclusive system is essential, in line with Lebanon’s international and national commitments.

The ILO has been providing technical assistance to the government of Lebanon on the development of a National Social Protection Strategy, in collaboration with UNICEF and coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The ILO also promotes social dialogue amongst its tripartite partners and supports them in their efforts to identify reforms required to close social security gaps, including extension of social insurance coverage, improving the adequacy of benefits including the recent reform of the End-of-service Indemnity (EOSI) into an old-age, disability and survivors’ pension scheme and introducing universal healthcare, as well as assisting in the establishment of a national Social Protection Floor (SPF) in the country.

The ILO pursues engagement in these areas through a range of development cooperation projects including a partnership with UNICEF and the EU, and a new collaboration with FCDO. As part of these collaborations, ILO has committed to 1) supporting the GoL in development, operationalization and implementation of the National Social Protection Strategy, on 2) support to designing, implementing and institutionalizing a National Disability Allowance scheme, as part of a national Social Protection Floor, on 3) advancing the approval and implementation of key reforms under the NSPS, particularly on pension, social health protection, and building of the national social assistance system infrastructure, and 4) working with social partners, state actors, civil society organizations and think tanks/researchers, on capacity development program, as well as research, dialogue and advocacy around social protection reforms and establishment of social grants.

Reporting Lines

Under the guidance and supervision of the Programme Manager and Social Protection Specialist for Lebanon and technical backstopping of the Regional Social Security Specialist in the Regional Office of Arab States (ROAS), the incumbent will provide strategic, programmatic and planning support, as well as operational guidance related to the development and implementation of social protection projects in Lebanon.

The officer will work closely with the project team and will engage with all staff and/or technical experts working on social protection activities in the ILO Lebanon office, Regional office and Social Protection Department in HQ.

Description of Duties

• Assist the Programme Manager in the implementation of the project by providing technical inputs, ensuring effective coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities. Ensure conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, ILO programming guidelines, and country/action programs, and Office procedures and practices.
• Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor, ensure day to day management and timely delivery of funds/budget assigned to the Social Protection DC project activities under his/her responsibility.
• Produce analytical reports and policy briefs on the topic of social protection, coordinate and directly provide technical assistance to ILO constituents as required for the project delivery across its different components.
• Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor, ensure effective day-to-day line management of national staff assigned under his/her responsibility.
• Provide technical inputs and advice to the relevant ministries, social partners, national social security institutions, decentralized authorities, and other relevant institutions and national stakeholders, in close collaboration with agencies and development partners, regarding both social security and social assistance reforms, in line with international labour standards.
• 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. Support the development and implementation of the social security communication, awareness raising and behavioural change campaigns.

Description of Duties (continued)

• Assist the Programme Manager in identifying training needs and conduct training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities. Participate in training seminars and workshops as a resource person.
• Represent the Office at meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks of government policymakers, other UN agencies and development partners, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and civil society organizations in the area of social protection and social security. Undertake and help coordinate field missions on selected topics following ILO established guidelines, manuals and standards.
• Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social science, economics or related fields.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least five years of relevant professional experience with thematic emphasis on social protection. The following areas of expertise would be considered an advantage:

• Experience with social assistance and contributory social insurance systems
• Experience with national dialogue processes and implementation of public sector reform initiatives
• Exposure to social protection systems in MENA

Languages

• Excellent command of English is required.
• French and Arabic would be an advantage.

Competencies

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:

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
• 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.

Competencies (continued)

• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• 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 organizational 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 work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven commitment to a rights-based approach.

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.