Background

The Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme responds to a need to reconfigure the existing social protection system. The programme will provide technical assistance, bring global expertise and meet major investment requirements to enable the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) to roll out a fully functional system in line with the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS). It will draw on the NSSS, which provides a functional entry points for effecting changes in the wider social protection system via better governance and oversight of the system. 
The first component of the programme is Governance of Social Protection, with the purpose of ensuring better governance of social protection by helping to build coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and reporting functions. It will also strengthen research and analysis capacities in order to build a more effective evidence base for effective policy development. Component Two is Stronger Social Protection System, with the purpose of developing a modern social protection infrastructure capable of supporting a nationally integrated delivery system for reliable, transparent and developmental GoB social transfers and promote linkages to ensure effective coordination. The two SPPS components will function alongside a piloting delivery component that will enable testing and learning and inform social protection strategy and policy through field based evidence. 

The programme will be implemented by the Cabinet Division and the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission, in partnership with UNDP. A core group of the Cabinet Division and the GED will work with the support of technical assistance staff. To strengthen the governance of social protection in the implementation of the NSSS, the institutional platform provided by the Inter-ministerial Central Monitoring Committee on Social Safety Nets, led by the Cabinet Secretary, will be utilised. 

In the context of social protection policy and strategy of Bangladesh, UNDP is seeking a highly qualified and experienced international professional in social protection with a proven track record in relevant fields including research analysis on social protection. The International Social Protection Specialist will work in a technical assistance team placed in a social protection secretariat both at the Cabinet Division and the GED. 

The Social Protection Specialist will work under the direct supervision of UNDP Deputy Country Director and in close consultation with the National Project Director and Project Manager.  The Social Protection  will work in close coordination and collaboration with the cluster and other project experts in order to ensure harmonization and consistency of interventions. S/he will support other project and programme activities related to the scope of work as required. In addition, the Specialist will consult/cooperate/coordinate with national team members to ensure the timely completion of the activities and reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

The Programme Specialist will be responsible for following categories of tasks:

• Technical Advise;
• Policy and Programme Services;
• Strategic Partnerships;
• Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission.

Technical Advice 

• Ensure policy issues pertaining to social insurance, social assistance, social health protection, women’s rights, human rights, drawing from best international practices and providing guidance to programme and system development; 
• Facilitate anchoring project experience with policy implications within the Cabinet Division and the GED to smooth the process of policy response;
• Form an intimate knowledge base on social protection at the Cabinet Division and the GED of Planning Commission of GoB;
• Support the Government to begin the implementation of the NSSS by providing technical assistance;
• Support overall social protection governance and coordination based on the structures established for the NSSS development process, specifically the retention of key oversight functions of the Cabinet Division inter-ministerial core committee; 
• Facilitate nationally authored research reports and policy notes, based on empirical evidence, to inform public dialogue and policy and programme decision making based on new evidence;

Policy and Programme Services 

• Formulate reform of national and social protection policies and programmes in the context of national social security system, especially related to governance and administration of national schemes and programmes; 
• Develop national action plan and M&E framework and social protection gender strategy through a participatory approach engaging social protection stakeholders and national social dialogues by applying background research papers, policy notes and establishing linkages to related critical issues (food security, health, education, old age pensions, gender equality, etc.) and impact on various categories of the population, including children and youth, women, migrant workers, persons with disabilities, minorities, and marginalised vulnerable groups; 
• Oversee, with the engagement of the Training Officer, the inclusion of social protection issues in national civil service training linked to the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre and overseeing civil servants training on social protection;
• Develop training materials and delivery of training on social protection to high and mid-level officials and to audiences of policy-makers, public representatives and practitioners; 
• Make provision of impact assessment for ex post policy analyses, synthesizing key lessons, and provision of micro-simulation model for ex ante policy analysis;
• Lead core activities related to an innovations and Research Challenge Fund to provide funding to civil society and research organisations through a competitive process;
• Lead micro-insurance piloting, selection of insurance products, devising delivery partnerships and mechanisms, training and awareness raising; 
• Lead the development and appraisal of Government-to-Person/Citizen (G2P/C) electronic payment platforms; 
• Ensure social protection analysis and research within wider policy circles, national and international think-tanks, universities, and training institute; 
• Support maintenance of a standing database on social protection programmes, repository of existing Union-Upazila-District-National/Centre reporting, which will be made compatible with other Government databases and be acceptable to all stakeholders concerned;
• Develop the capacity in appropriate areas to establish, update, access and use of the database; 
• Ensure the development of downstream planning and programme coordination linkages, being informed by management information and monitoring systems, including the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Poverty Database;
• Advise the National Project Director (NPD), National Project Manager (NPM) and other officials including the Senior Social Protection Adviser to UNDP in planning and implementation of the SPPS Programme in following areas: 
• Advise the NPD and NPM in work plan and budget preparation and revision;
• Advise the NPD and PM in preparing periodic progress reports and presentations as required;
• Lead in identifying areas where technical assistance will be required;

Partnerships and Resources

• Identify gaps in governing social protection, with due consideration to the national social, economic, political and fiscal context including a broad national social dialogue and validate needs through the Central Monitoring Committee for Social Safety Nets; 
• Support social protection analysis and research within wider policy circles, national and international think-tankers, universities and training institutes, analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to establish national baselines including monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and management information system (MIS) data to enable assessment of effectiveness and efficiency results of national social protection programmes based on evidence identification of needs and policy priorities; 
• Facilitate partnership and coordination with potential partners and academic institutions, building capacity of stakeholders on social protection;
• Facilitate cooperation if required with other ministries and Government departments for an effective social protection strategy; 
• Build policy level linkages with the national planning machinery and assisting roll-out a national M&E system linking into 5-year plan M&E goals;
• Mobilize and network with experts of UNDP and offices of the UN System, international development organizations, sub-regional and regional associations, affiliations and bodies (inter-governmental, non-government or private sector) and prominent private sector organizations;
• Consult on policy priorities in the area of social protection and possible research gaps in the area of social protection through assistance of the GED and the Cabinet Division in coordination with and cooperation of different ministries/divisions, including inter-sectoral coordination committee; 
• Build linkages with allied sectors and providing a policy forum to address cross-cutting issues – specifically on education, health, nutrition and climate change;
• Assist policy evaluation of programme design features and their coherence with other sector strategies;

Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Engage with relevant Parliament sub-committees, forming a group with special focus on social protection, with members of both the governing party and opposition;
• Provide advocacy materials and tools developed and published for dissemination in National Parliament; 
• Support civil society organisations to implement grievance systems and other rights-protection mechanisms, particularly linked to the management information system;
• Together with the Communication Officer and the Research Officer, facilitate the dissemination and communication of policy briefs, research reports, lessons learnt, etc., within and outside the GoB;
• Establish a policy and innovation network for learning and lesson sharing via twinning arrangements, international/regional study visits, national and international conferences;
• Ensure a feedback loop of project experience and actively engage in feeding information to UNDP and the Government on project lessons with implications for social protection strategy and policy;
• Engage with best international social protection practices for learning and experience sharing; 
• Manage events and publications on local governance issues, including advocacy of the reports’ findings among relevant Governmental agencies, civil society organizations and donors; 
• Disseminate the information on best practices and be active member of the UNDP global and regional networks; 
• Ensure preparation of brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination of UNDP assistance and experience; 

Deliverables

• Subject matter knowledge management – policy issues on social insurance/assistance, health protection, women and human rights, guidance note to programme system development;
• Social Security Action Plan and Gender Strategy including M&E framework –based on approved NSSS;
• Social protection platforms - policy guidance on governing and administering social protection schemes and platform;
• Policy and institutional process – guidelines concerning institutional framework of NSS systems, especially related to governance and administration of national schemes and programmes; 
• Baseline, M&E / MIS framework and evidence base – assessments of effectiveness and efficiency results of national social protection programmes based on evidence and list of needs and policy priorities;
• Social protection system strengthening and coordination – a guidance note on partnership and coordination with potential partners and academic institutions, building capacity based on structured curriculum and training materials for stakeholders on social protection at different level within the public structure.

Impact of Results 

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country programme and reaching Country Programme Document and UNDAF goals. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching overall project targets.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues; 
• Established track record of delivering strong analytical products with policy relevance;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Ability to function at both policy advisory and project implementation levels;

Management and Leadership

• Ability to interact with policy officials at the highest levels of society;
• Ability to function at both policy advisory and project implementation levels;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:    

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Science or related fields.

Experience:    

• At least 7 years’ experience at the national or international level in providing policy advisory services on social protection, social security and social welfare;
• Experience preparing analytical reports, policy advice, data analysis and research in poverty, vulnerability and gender equality;
• Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in social protection sector and  social protection programmes;
• Demonstrated experience in inter-agency coordination including among international organization and national governments; 
• Experience working with a multi-stakeholder environment and development organisations, civil society, private sector is an asset;
• Experience in South Asia will be desired; 
• Work experience with UN/UNDP/development partners desired; 

Language Requirements:
    

• Fluency in written and spoken English.