Social Protection Project Manager at International Labour Organization (ILO)

Introduction

As part of the ongoing effort to enhance social protection coverage and effectiveness in the framework of the development cooperation projects managed by the ILO Country Office in Zambia, the International Labour Organization is seeking a highly capable Social Protection Project Manager.

The position is located within the Social Protection programme of the ILO Country Office in Zambia (CO-Lusaka). The programme aims to enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all by developing comprehensive, efficient, and sustainable national social protection systems, including floors, aligning with ILO social security standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the revised national social protection strategy which is rooted in the life cycle approach.

Within the framework of development cooperation projects and the ILO Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All, the incumbent will contribute to the extension of social protection in developing countries by providing administrative and technical support for the implementation of several development cooperation projects.

These projects include:
1.    The Irish Aid/ILO partnership programme included in the Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All (GLO/22/31/IRL) which aims to assist national governments in using appropriate, well-designed, and well-managed social protection measures to accelerate the extension of coverage, adequacy of benefits, and the fiscal space for the financing of social protection, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities (PWDs). It covers Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Viet Nam.

2.    The third phase of the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection (2025-2030), a multidimensional inter-agency programme revolving around the national social cash transfer (SCT).

The position will also prioritize the development of social insurance schemes in Zambia where the ILO supports the Ministry of Labour and related agencies. The position is also expected to significantly engage in Disability Inclusion programming, and initiatives like the Global Accelerator on Social Protection and Jobs for Just Transitions, with an emphasis on climate change to which the country is highly exposed and vulnerable.
Reporting lines: 

The incumbent will report to the Director of the ILO Country Office for Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique (CO-Lusaka).

He/she will liaise and work under the general technical supervision of the Deputy Director of the Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) and Head of the Flagship Programme. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Social Protection Specialist in DWT/CO-Pretoria and the social protection technical officers of the IrishAid programme in Mozambique, Malawi, and Viet Nam, the ILO Regional Office for Africa (ROAF), and the ILO Social Protection Department (SOCPRO).

Description of Duties

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the incumbent will be responsible for the administrative and technical management of several ongoing development cooperation projects, including GLO/22/31/IRL; ZAM/19/01/CEF and the third phase of the UN Joint programme. The incumbent will be responsible for:

Programme Coordination and Management
1.  Oversee and coordinate the implementation of the social protection development cooperation projects portfolio based in Zambia, including the UN Joint Programme and the Irish Aid Partnership Programme (GLO/22/31/IRL). For the GLO/22/31/IRL project this includes Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Viet Nam components. Ensure timely and efficient coordination and delivery of programme components, outputs, and monitoring and evaluation of the project activities in conformity with ILO policies, project strategies, programming guidelines, and administrative and financial procedures.
2. Manage the overall operations, ensuring the effective delivery of programme components and ensure timely reporting to development partners on programme results and activities on all the components of the development cooperation projects. For the GLO/22/31/IRL it includes the coordination of Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Viet Nam components.
3. Represent the ILO in the inter-agency coordination and implementation processes of the One UN Country Team and ensure the implementation of the deliverables under the direct responsibility of the ILO.
4. Lead the Social Protection team of the CO-Lusaka efficiently, including recruitment, performance management, and skills development. Plan, organize, supervise, and monitor the work of officials working under the Irish Aid project, the UNJP on Social Protection in Zambia, and forthcoming UN Joint Programmes in the areas of Social Protection covered by CO-Lusaka.

Technical Leadership
5.  Serve as the CO-Lusaka focal point for Social Protection/Social Security issues in Zambia and Malawi, in collaboration with the Social Protection Project Manager based in Mozambique and the Social Protection Specialist in DWT/CO Pretoria.
6. Provide technical and policy advisory services to ILO constituents and other national and regional institutions in the field of social protection/social security, with a particular emphasis on rights-based public social protection schemes and programmes, including contributory social insurance and non-contributory benefits, integrated approaches to formalization, digitalization and interoperability of information systems and financing, in close collaboration with technical specialists in the region in DWT/CO-Pretoria.
7. Offer policy advice to ILO’s constituents in Zambia, as well as in collaboration with the project managers in Malawi and Mozambique on institutional strengthening, the application of ILO standards, and the promotion of technical cooperation activities on Social Protection/Social Security.
8. Contribute to the updating and wide dissemination of the TRANSFORM (Leadership and Transformation Curriculum on Building and Managing Social Protection Floors in Africa) learning package.
9.  Review and revise Social Protection/Social Security related publications and materials prepared by CO-Lusaka in Zambia and Malawi, in close collaboration with the team based in Mozambique. Collaborate with the ILO Social Protection Department and DWT/CO-Pretoria to ensure that country and regional products feed the production of global products.
10. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

Duties continued……

Advocacy, and Partnerships
11. Represent the ILO in social protection forums and engage actively in policy dialogue with national and international bodies.
12. Strengthen relationships with concerned government ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups, and donors in the planning and implementation of activities in the Social Protection/Social Security portfolio of CO-Lusaka in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.
13. Liaise with the UN Country Teams to promote ILO’s values within UN initiatives in Zambia and Malawi. In close collaboration with the teams based in Mozambique, increase ILO visibility, and facilitate the scaling up of ILO interventions in the area of Social Protection/Social Security.
14. Strengthen relationships and foster cooperation with governmental and non-governmental partners, UN agencies, and donors to enhance the impact of social protection initiatives.

Capacity Building
15. Ensure the development and promotion of information and knowledge management approaches for ILO in Social Protection/Social Security, including the TRANSFORM initiative. Develop capacities within the team and among stakeholders to ensure effective and sustainable social protection measures.
16. Coordinate the Learning Hub and the sharing of knowledge between the countries of the ILO Irish Aid partnership programme (Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Viet Nam). This includes coordinating the collection and dissemination of knowledge products, the development of joint knowledge products, organization of knowledge-sharing events, and South-South learning.

Resource Mobilization
17.  Lead efforts in securing financial and technical resources necessary for the continuity and expansion of social protection programmes. Liaise with donors and potential partners to secure and expand Development Cooperation resources and expand the Office’s capacity to undertake various activities in the field of social protection, including South-South and Triangular cooperation.

18. Undertake any other relevant tasks and responsibility as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, business administration, law, or other relevant fields, with demonstrated expertise on social protection issues.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant professional experience, including at the international level, in social protection or social security.

– Experience of working in developing countries is required.
– Experience in managing multi-country programmes is required.
– Experience working for the UN and the ILO would be an advantage.
 

Languages

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of Portuguese would be an advantage.

Competencies

–    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.
–    Strong leadership and team management skills.
–    Proven ability to design, manage, and implement complex projects.
–    Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
–    Proven capacity to initiate and implement technical co-operation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments, social partners and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.
–    Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
–    Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings.
–    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 draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation and ability to provide technical support to junior specialists carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
–    Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
–    Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
–    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.