Grade: NOB
Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/2025/12
Publication date: 22 May 2025
Application deadline (midnight local time): 05 June 2025
Job ID: 13016
Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Location: Damascus
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: One year
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.
In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.
The following are eligible to apply:
ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. External candidates**The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.
The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.
*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade. The entry level salary for this position is 25511 (USD) yearly.
Introduction
Rights-based social protection can serve as a cornerstone for rebuilding the Syrian social contract, reinforcing the relationship between citizens and the state. To this end, national dialogue, assessments, and policy reforms are essential to expand both contributory and non-contributory systems for all Syrians. Transitional authorities are conducting a national consultative dialogue, where comprehensive and sustainable social security must be prioritized.
Given Syria's fragmented society following the 14-year crisis since 2011, a renewed social protection system must be grounded in rights-based principles and international labour standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to diverse societal needs. Integrated approaches that align contributory and non-contributory schemes with employment and decent work interventions will be critical to economic and social recovery. Regional dialogue is also necessary to ensure social protection does not hinder the return of displaced populations.
Following recent political developments since December 8, 2024, and based on internal consultations at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL), capacity building across government institutions is vital to enable effective leadership and service delivery. Coordinated efforts with HDPN actors, under a unified national vision, will support sustainable transitions to development and peace.
Introduction (continued)
Aligned with its mandate, the ILO will continue supporting social security and assistance reforms, strengthen capacities, foster social dialogue among tripartite partners, and promote integration of humanitarian and development instruments. It will also raise public awareness and assist in designing practical frameworks for financing, implementing, and administering social protection.
In this context, the ILO is developing a Programme of Support and plans to implement multiple projects to enhance social protection systems, policies, and programmes. These will be funded through diverse sources and carried out in close collaboration with other UN agencies.
To support the delivery of these outcomes, the ILO is seeking to recruit a National Officer based in Damascus for a 12-month, full-time assignment. The selected candidate will work closely with MOSAL, the National Social Security Institution (NSSI), social partners, UN agencies, and civil society to follow up on all technical activities related to Social Protection, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and contribute to policy dialogue. This is an opportunity to play a leading role in shaping Syriaโs Social Contract at a critical moment in the countryโs transition.
Reporting Lines
The National Officer will be based in Damascus and will report to the ILO Syria Country Coordinator and will receive technical guidance and backstopping from the Social Protection specialist in DWT Beirut, the Social Protection, Nexus and Climate Change Technical Officer in Amman and the Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) in Geneva as required.
Description of Duties
Under the overall supervision of the Syria Country Coordinator, the incumbent will:
A. Support to Social Protection activities in Syria
1. Contribute to timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ILO activities through management functions, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to project teams and consultants in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project documents and work plans.
2. Contribute to the refinement, implementation and review of ILOโs PoS for Syria, with a particular focus on social protection components (and their integration with employment interventions). Conduct resource mobilisation efforts under this area to further support and expand the ILOโs work in Syria.
3. Support project staff and national partners with identifying, analysing, interpreting and making recommendations on the Programme of Support and project activities, in coordination with MoSAL, social partners, participating UN organizations (PUNOs), Decent Work Team (DWT) specialists in Beirut, INGOs and NGOs, as well as relevant technical units at ILO-HQ including but not limited to SOCPRO.
4. Contribute to programme/project development, including with respect to budget proposals, project proposals, programme background, and project reviews and evaluation. Monitor progress of ILO social protection portfolio in Syria, by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.
Description of Duties (continued)
5. Provide policy, technical advice, building capacity to MoSAL and social partners on issues related to the effective implementation of different social protection projects and national social protection reforms, including social assistance and social insurance, in line with ILOโs international social security standards (ISSS), in particular Social Security Convention No.102 and Social Protection Floors (SPFs) Recommendation, No. 202.
6. Contribute to the ILOโs work on the nexus in social protection, including working to strengthen coordination between humanitarian and development actors.
7. Maintain close cooperation and coordination with government, employers' and workers' organizations, UN agencies, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), humanitarian organizations, and CSOs in the planning and implementation of activities under the project.
8. Undertake research and prepare technical inputs for country and regional analyses, reports and publications related to the social protection system in Syria, including contributory and non-contributory schemes. Ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with ILO core conventions on social protection.
9. Organize and assess needs for social protection training programmes and awareness raising activities to improve understanding of concepts of social security and universal SPFs.
10. Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within the ILO DWT-Beirut, and other colleagues in the field and HQ, on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
Description of Duties (continued)
B. Coordination and Advocacy
1. Represent ILO in inter-agency coordination meetings and contribute to joint planning efforts under the UN Early Recovery Strategy, Transitional Action Plan (TAP), PoS and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).
2. Identify opportunities for synergies with other projects or donors to expand impact under social protection activities.
C. Monitoring, Documentation, and Reporting
1. Prepare regular progress updates, background notes, and inputs to donor reports and maintain documentation and records of meetings, events, and technical activities.
2. Contribute to monitoring frameworks and ensure integration of gender and inclusion indicators.