Local Social Security and Formalization Coordination Consultant

International Labour Organization

Under the EU-funded project Social Protection Programme for Iraq: Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform, the International Labour Organization is seeking a Local Social Security Consultant in Basra to coordinate the work of the tripartite consultation group in the governorate.

The primary objective of the Local Social Security and Formalization Consultant is to facilitate the effective coordination and collaboration of the tripartite plus constituents in Basra Governorate, ensuring social dialogue among all stakeholders to successful facilitate and follow up on the expansion of social security coverage under the new Retirement and Social Security Law No. 18 of 2023, effective social security participation and progressive transition from the informal to the formal economy among workers and economic units.

This role focuses on strengthening coordination and information exchange between the Social Security Department, trade unions, employers' organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Key responsibilities include organizing meetings, workshops, and coordination events; identifying and addressing challenges in tripartite-plus discussions; overseeing the implementation of the new Law; facilitating the exchange, interpretation, and preliminary analysis of information and data; and monitoring progress to assess impact and support the extension of social security coverage to all workers in the governorate and progressive transition to formality.

III. Detailed tasks

The selected consultant will undertake the following activities:

1. Support in Tripartite coordination and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Facilitate and convene regular in-person tripartite or tripartite-plus meetings in Basra to support counterparts in developing a comprehensive framework for extending social security coverage and support formalization efforts in both governorates. This includes leading discussions among the Social Security Department, trade unions, and employers' organizations to develop a joint action plan, ensuring that all stakeholders perspectives are considered.
• Coordinate closely with ILO tripartite constituents government, workers , and employers organizations as well as other relevant stakeholders in Basra to strengthen collaboration throughout the consultancy period. This coordination will contribute to the successful extension of social security coverage to workers in both the formal and informal economies, promoting more inclusive and comprehensive social protection.
• Support the establishment of sectoral or geographical sub-groups within the tripartite framework, in collaboration with local counterparts, to further tailor the extension of social security coverage.
• Liaise with the National Social Protection Programme Officer, ensuring alignment with project objectives and work plans.
• Support in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government entities, private sector actors, financial institutions, and local communities.

2. Field Implementation & Monitoring:

• Conduct periodic analyses of the socio-economic landscape in Basra and/or priority sectors to identify the governorate s most prominent or emerging areas of activity with a potential for the extension of social security coverage, generation of decent (formal) jobs and/or progressive formalization of workers and economic units. This will be done in collaboration with employers' and workers' organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to inform outreach and social security coverage strategies.
• Support the implementation of the awareness-raising activities on the Social Security Law in Basra, as part of a national campaign led by the ILO in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, workers and employers organizations, implemented by a local NGO.
• Facilitate the development and negotiations the tripartite group roadmap on the extension of social security coverage and formalization oversight. The consultant will support tripartite constituents along with the development and negotiation of roadmap for the Basra tripartite group on social security and formalization group. The roadmap will include a context analysis, a detailed workplan, a coordination strategy, and a schedule of periodic meetings to monitor progress. It will also define key activities, indicators, and strategic objectives to guide and align the group's efforts.
• Support in overseeing implementing partners activities in Basra, when relevant, tracking progress against work plans, identifying operational bottlenecks, and providing strategic recommendations.
• Conducting data collection for different types of activities.

3. Operational & Logistical Support:

• Managing schedules and timelines for project activities, ensuring efficient resource allocation and adherence to deadlines.
• Coordinating logistical arrangements for field missions and stakeholder engagements in Basra.
• Follow up with event management providers under supervision of the ILO team.