Grade: NOB
Vacancy no.: DC/COLOMBO/NO/2025/02
Publication date: 20 May 2025
Application deadline (Midnight Sri Lanka time): 03 June 2025
Job ID: 12959
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Colombo
Location: Colombo
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: 12 months
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.
Introduction
The incumbent will play a key role in supporting the implementation of two critical projects aimed at strengthening social protection systems in South Asia. Working with a 50% allocation for each project, the incumbent will contribute to enhancing social protection coverage, particularly for migrant workers, informal workers, and care workers, by supporting policy reforms, improving access to benefits, and fostering regional dialogue and coordination. The two projects under the incumbentโs portfolio are:
(a) โPromoting and Building Social Protection in South Asiaโ
The project will focus on:
โข Social protection system with a particular focus on employment injury scheme and maternity protection is improved by introducing and strengthening social insurance systems extended to all workers, with a particular focus on informal workers including new forms of work and unregistered workers with established employment relationship.
โข Gender-transformative social protection system is elaborated to extend social protection coverage to care workers including migrant workers engaging into care works.
The Japan-funded project will be implemented by SP team based in New Delhi led by Senior Social Protection specialist of DWT/CO-New Delhi. The project covers India and Sri Lanka, and national project coordinator is expected to work as a member of cross-country SP team in South Asia.
(b) โSTREAM - Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers and Their Families in The South Asia-Gulf Corridorโ
The programme will focus on:
โข Policy and regulatory reforms for migrant inclusive and gender sensitive social protection systems across the South-Asian-Gulf corridor
โข Effective and inclusive access to existing and new social protection provisions for women and men migrant workers
โข Dialogue and coordination for the advancement of the social protection of migrant workers across the corridor
โข Build evidence-based advocacy capacities for a gender -sensitive social protection for migrant workers across the South-Asian-Gulf corridor
The incumbent will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, working within multi-country teams across South Asia and the Gulf region for both projects.
The programme will be implemented by a STREAM Programme Team, led by one Senior Programme Manager. Currently the programme covers Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and India among the South Asian countries. There will be Technical Specialists, Technical Officers and National Officers based in programme implementation countries of South Asia and Gulf Countries under the Programme Manager.
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Reporting lines
(1) โPromoting and Building Social Protection in South Asiaโ
The incumbent will administratively report to the Director of the CO-Colombo. Substantively, the incumbent will report to the Senior Social Protection specialist through the project monitoring and evaluation officer based in the DWT/CO-New Delhi and receive a technical supervision by the Senior Social Protection Specialist in DWT/CO-New Delhi.
(2) โSTREAM - Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers and Their Families in The South Asia-Gulf Corridorโ
The incumbent will administratively report to the Director of the CO-Colombo. Substantively, the incumbent will report of the STREAM Programme who will oversee all programmatic and technical aspects together with the STREAM Technical Social Protection Officer for South Asia based in Kathmandu. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with all other STREAM staff members in the South Asia-Gulf corridor. The incumbent will receive technical guidance and support from the Social Protection and Labour Migration Specialists in DWT South Asia, other relevant social protection and labour migration specialists and other technical specialists in HQ and cooperate with relevant Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs).
On both projects the incumbent will also work with administrative staff to support the preparation, finalization and issuance of contracts and provide administrative support to all project activities.
Description of Duties
In relation to the National Project Coordinator role for both projects:
1. Responsible for implementation and overall execution of both projectsโ activities in Sri Lanka through the establishment of a work plan in consultation with both programme/project team and close consultation local programme partners, efficient provision of inputs and delivery of outputs, and the monitoring and evaluation of programme activities in conformity with ILO technical cooperation procedures which includes effective administrative and financial management, and reporting.
2. Develop and implement the strategy for both projectsโ engagement in Sri Lanka. In close consultation with both programme/project team and technical units of the ILO, identify and review areas for technical support by the ILO under the framework of the programme and provide analysis on the findings to the Technical Expert in New Delhi, Bangkok, and Geneva and management of the ILO Colombo Office. Develop and review institutional frameworks, in which government agencies and social partners can best improve, implement and evaluate efficient and effective interventions in the area of social protection and labour. Identify partners for implementing different activities, collaborate in the design of actions and arrange their monitoring, backstopping, evaluation and adaptation where appropriate.
3. Provide technical inputs to advance the right to social security for migrant workers from Sri Lanka as ILO focal person in the policies, regulations and other relevant platforms in Bangladesh. Organize and facilitate various events to promote ILO frameworks and instruments regarding labour migration, equality of opportunity and treatment for women and men, and the relevant International Labour Standards and participate in the preparation of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings and represent ILO.
4. Guide and supervise the work of the project assistant, consultants and service providers, in both administrative and technical aspects, such as administrative coordinating; technical design, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of programme activities; ensuring effective co-ordination of action programmes in order to deliver integrated and comprehensive interventions; and creating a learning, knowledge sharing, and staff-development friendly environment. Oversee all programme management and ILO technical activities under the programme in Sri Lanka.
5. Ensure engagement of constituents at an appropriate level by building and maintaining partnerships with the concerned government ministries and departments in Sri Lanka, the employers' and workers' organizations, UN and international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the donor, in the planning and implementation of activities under the programme. Liaise and work in close contact with the Government of Sri Lanka (relevant Ministries and Agencies), Employerโs Federation of Ceylon (EFC) as a Employerโs representative and Workerโs organizations in Sri Lanka. Establish a close technical and political relationship with relevant forum and working groups of the United Nations Resident Coordinatorsโ office and relevant Civil society organizations, research institutions and other actors working in the field of social protection and migration.
6. Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor on either of the areas of responsibility.
Required qualifications
Education
University degree in development, economics, management, social science or related field with demonstrated expertise in the subject area.
Experience
Minimum of 3 years of professional experience of which at least 2 years at the managerial positions, including field experience in project and programme management and implementation in the region. Familiarity with ILO standards, policies and procedures, ideally in the field of labour migration and social protection. Experience in working on social protection, labour migration issues would be an advantage. Technical expertise in gender would be distinct advantage.
Languages
Excellent command of English. Sinhala and/or Tamil.
Competencies
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. 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.
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
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