Background
In recent years, a range of innovative social protection and safety net initiatives have shown considerable promise in reaching the ultra-poor in developing countries and in providing them with opportunities to build up livelihoods assets. Cash transfer and other such social safety net programmes – targeted either directly at the ultra-poor or at those categories of the population who are assumed to be especially vulnerable (e.g. widows, the elderly, the disabled, etc.) – have shown that it is often possible to go beyond “supply” side approaches and contribute to poverty reduction. For the most part, however, such social protection and safety programmes have been implemented either by central governments or by specialised agencies.
This solicitation is for a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for one year and renewable up to three years linked to satisfactory performance of the consultant. “LTA” refers to a mutual arrangement whereby the Consultant will provide services as required, over a specific period of time. An LTA specifies the unit price (daily rate), allowing for a framework agreement to be used when the Consultant’s services are needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the design and implementation of appropriate local level SP systems that enable both best practice and efficiency to be applied at local level in a sustainable fashion within the local capacity constraints;
- Support UNCDF and governments in the development of innovative delivery mechanisms/arrangements that follow best practice and that allow local level ownership;
- Support UNCDF and Private Sector Payment service providers in the development of innovative and financially inclusive delivery mechanisms/arrangements for G2P payments that follows best international best practice;
- Support UNCDF with substantive technical input to its knowledge and research products and with input to its participation in discussions, conferences and meetings with development partners, private sector agencies and government on the issue of SP;
- Support UNCDF in implementing “Enhancing Social Protection” which is a UNCDF global programme initiative focusing on Social Protection delivery and G2P.
- Backstopping support to Nepal and any other programme SP initiatives;
- Support the design of new, and provide technical support to ongoing SP initiatives in the region;
- Working on introducing, improving and ensure innovative learning in developing new delivery mechanisms for social protection initiatives which includes G2P payment system development;
- Assessing capacity and needs of key local and national stakeholders and provide inputs for further training activities on whole system development and reforms which include payment mechanism at different levels;
- Developing and / or contributing to training materials, manuals and best practice guides on local level social protection systems;
- Design and provide support to evaluation of innovative practices in ongoing / new SP initiatives;
- Presenting material on local level social protection at technical meetings and seminars;
- Developing of cross country studies, indicators and systems that can monitor and compare the best practices and best value results from central and local level social protection systems;
- Support the delivery of ESP;
- Carrying out other relevant tasks as assigned by the UNCDF Technical Advisor responsible for Social Protection and G2P.
- One year renewable up to 3 years.
- Home base with the possibility to travel to UNCDF programme countries in Asia & Pacific and Africa;
- The schedule of travel will be negotiated with the incumbent according to the requirements of each programme country;
- A separate ToR with clear deliverables, budget and timelines will be prepared and agreed prior to each mission within the terms of this ToR.
- Regular country programme technical support as required;
- Country scoping in AP and Africa region and design of new SP programme for UNCDF;
- Technical support to Global ESP programme strategy and implementation.
Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls
Competencies
Functional Competencies:- Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in producing relevant reports and other material;
- High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi cultural environment;
- Ability to work in a tropical climate where appropriate infrastructure and systems are not well established;
- Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions;
- Ability to contribute towards conflict resolution in the workplace;
- Knowledge of one or more of the UNCDF programme countries would be an asset;
- Localisation in Asia, Pacific and Africa would be an advantage.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
Required Skills and Experience
- Postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, Social Protection/Social Security, Public Management, Public Policy, Public Finance or other related fields.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of professional experience working on issues related to public welfare, financial sector, local governance, and local administration in developing countries;
- Experience in local level capacity development in developing countries, ideally in the context of decentralization processes;
- Experience of working with other development partners, especially in the area of public financial management.
- Fluency in English is required.
Consultants will be evaluated based on UNCDF’s cumulative analysis method. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract shall be made to the consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial (30%) criteria specific to the solicitation.
- Competencies (30%);
- Experience (30%);
- Education (10%);
- Daily rate (30%).
- Offeror’s letter confirming interest and availability form can be found here: http://uncdf.org/en/hiring-consultants;
- Updated CV;
- Brief Description of Approach to Work