National Project Coordinator – NOB UNJP Social Protection Full-Time

Introduction

The UN Joint Programme on Social Protection has been structured around a coherent package of interventions, all of which are included in the Mozambique’s National Strategy for Basic Social Protection 2016-2024 (ENSSB II) and fully aligned with its Operational Plan around the 38 “Strategic Actions”, but where the UN agencies have the mandate, capacity and strong working relationships with government partners so as to further strengthen the social protection system and legal framework in the country. Over the course of the programme (2017-2020), the two UN agencies involved (ILO and UNICEF) will work with partners at national, provincial and district levels to deliver the following results:

1. By 2020, clear programmes and policies designed to operationalize the ENSSB II;
2. By 2020, robust evidence and clear advocacy on key components of the ENSSB II;
3. By 2020, strengthened MGCAS’s capacity to coordinate and implement the ENSSB II.

 Reporting lines

Under the overall responsibility of the ILO CO-Lusaka Country Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, the National Project Coordinator will directly report to the Social Protection Expert in the ILO Project Office, Maputo. Technical and strategic oversight will be provided by the Chief Technical Advisor for Social Protection in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in CO-Lusaka. The NPC will work in coordination with project staff and national partners involved in the implementation of Social Protection Programmes in Mozambique. S/he will also work closely with the Social Protection Specialists attached to the ILO Decent Work Team in Pretoria.

Description of Duties

Select duties below only those correspond to the needs of this position. Add specific duties if necessary. Duties should reflect the activities and processes required to achieve the key results within the project main objectives. Use short, concise sentences and action verbs, no jargons or acronyms. The max total number of duties should be 10 – 12.

1. Lead the project timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and work plan;
2. Contribute proposals for programme/project development and serve as national programme advisor, drafting budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, country strategy papers, objectives, project reviews and evaluation. Monitor progress of ILO programmes, projects and activities by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness;
3. Identify problems, propose solutions and action and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets;
4. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on fundamental rights at work;
5. Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project’s components according to the project’s document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor;
6. Ensure high-level communications to increase project’s visibility at the national and international levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with the UN country team, and other key stakeholders to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance of CO-Lusaka, maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole;
7. Oversee the delivery of technical cooperation support to counterparts in the areas envisaged in the project work plan for Mozambique, with a particular focus on social protection coordination, advocacy and public debate for social protection, economic analysis/modelling of social protection reform and social protection financing;
8.  Provide technical assistance to national partners, namely the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action (MGCAS), the National Institute of Social Action (INAS), the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MITESS), the Ministry of Finance (MEF) in the definition and implementation of social protection policies and programs. Contribute to the implementation of the Mozambique DWCP regarding Social Protection priorities;
9. Conduct research and provide technical inputs for regional and country analyses, reports and publications related to social protection issues in Mozambique, particularly on social protection coordination, advocacy and public debate for social protection, economic analysis/modelling of social protection reform and social protection financing;
10. Organize and provide training programmes and awareness raising activities to support dissemination and foster debate on social protection issues in Mozambique and the region, with engagement of academic institutions, civil society, media organizations, etc;
11. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree field in Economics, Social Sciences, international studies or other relevant field in Social Protection with demonstrated expertise in the relevant technical field and strong knowledge on development issues particular in Mozambique

Experience

At least two or three years of relevant professional experience at the national level, with thematic emphasis on social protection and social security systems implementation and reform.

• Experience with social sector budgeting and financing in Mozambique, ability to identify key evidence gaps to support social protection (external and domestic) financing;
• Experience with advocacy, communication and/or research work in the field of social protection, preferably in Mozambique;
• Expertise in relevant technical fields promoting social protection system’s strengthening: Monitoring and Evaluation Systems; Management and Information Systems, Planning tools, statistics on social protection, etc.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English and a working knowledge of Portuguese.

Competencies

• In depth knowledge of the Mozambique public sector; ability to interact with Government, Civil Society, Academia and the Media on issues related to social security reform;
• Understanding of the ILO social security standards;
• Good knowledge of programming principles and budgeting;
• Good knowledge about social, economic development, including labor and employment, trends in  the country;
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders;
• Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations;
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical co-operation projects of international organizations;
• Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies;
• Ability to conduct action oriented research and write analytical technical report in English;
• Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes;
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote freedom of association and right to collective bargaining principles;
• Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities;
• Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations;
• Ability to train and guide personnel;
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work in diversified environments;
• Familiarity with UN policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of Social Welfare, Social Security and/or Labour in Southern Africa;
• Familiarity with debate on social protection coordination, systems integration, monitoring and evaluation of social protection, statistics on social protection, institutional, legal and policy reform in Mozambique, ability to identify coordination challenges and elaborate proposals for effective institutional reform in the sector;
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.

Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable but not selected  for this position can also be offered to be assigned on another temporary position at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications for this position.