Individual Consultant - Social Protection Reform in Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

The main objective of the consultancy is to coordinate and support the Roadmap for the Implementation of Strategies for the Social Protection Reform, with the key priority on the coordination of the development of a national social protection policy that is ready for submission to Government. The Expert will work directly with the Permanent Secretary, MPESW, to whom s/he will report in terms of the technical substance of work. The expert will be contracted by UNICEF, using GIZ funds in the context of the EU SPS Initiative in Namibia. Reports and progress against deliverables will be shared by the MPESW with UNICEF and GIZ.

The Consultant will undertake the following assignments and tasks:

1. Assignments and Tasks

METHODOLOGY

Task 1: Inception Report

Draft an inception report encompassing a work plan, methodology, stakeholder mapping, literature list and other relevant aspects agreed with MPESW. Conduct inception meetings with the Core Team members and document those meetings.

Task 2: Desk Analysis

Conduct a desk analysis on existing research and data on social protection policy, legislation, governance, financing, access and inclusion/exclusion and administration of social protection. Prepare a summary note and draft outline to guide the parameters of the social protection policy. This desk analysis shall include the following:

1. Recommendations from relevant studies including but not limited to the Institutional Assessment on the current social protection land scape in Namibia, SP Inclusion and Exclusion study; Social Protection Floor Assessment report, Financing SP report, Effectiveness of Child Welfare Grants study.
2. Requirements for Namibia to achieve the AU Agenda 2063 and 2030 SDG goals related to social protection, NDP5, Harambee Prosperity Plan, Blueprint Implementation Plan.
3. Proposal to address the current fragmented social protection system

Task 3: Develop and coordinate drafting of National Social Protection Policy

• Encourage meaningful participation by conducting and coordinating multi-sectoral consultations with key Ministries, technical groups, UN agencies and civil society, in order to agree on an outline for a comprehensive social protection policy.
• Synthesize and consolidate the information gathered into a draft National Social Protection Policy
• Report regularly to the Core Team on Social Protection, for input and contribution towards the Social Protection Policy
• Facilitate a validation workshop with national and regional stakeholders to finalize the draft social protection policy and prepare this for Cabinet submission
• Support the Permanent Secretary of the MPESW to present the final social protection policy to other key Ministries, Members of Parliament and to donors.

 Task 4: Interlocking Tasks

• Facilitate inputs and dialogue with stakeholders on development of the Single Household registry
• Organize meetings/ workshops /documents related to activities
• Carry out any other work related to the overall scope of the assignment as assigned by the Permanent Secretary
• Perform the duty of coordinator of the Core Team on Social Protection.

iv: Deliverables

 The Consultant will be expected to produce the following deliverables:

1. Inception report with clear work plan and methodology by February 2018
2. Note summarizing key findings and recommendations from desk analysis, and framework to guide Social Protection Policy; by April 2018
3. Report on facilitation of the Roadmap with focus on the Social Protection Policy; by May 2018
4. Draft of National Social Protection Policy and a PowerPoint Presentation based on the draft social protection policy; by August 2018
5. Final Social Protection Policy; by October 2018

v:  Payment Schedule:

• First payment (10%) upon submission of Inception report with work plan and methodology.
• Second payment (20%) upon submission of the note summarizing key findings and recommendations from desk analysis, and framework to guide Social Protection Policy.
• 3rd payment (15%) upon submission of report on facilitation of the Roadmap.
• 4th payment (25%) upon submission and approval of a draft Namibian National Social Protection Policy and PPT.
• 5th payment (30%) upon submission of Final Social Protection Policy.

Payment is upon satisfactory completion of deliverables and request for payment submitted by MPESW to UNICEF.

vi: Desired Competencies, Technical Background and Education Qualifications

This assignment will require a national or regional consultant with a strong background in comprehensive social protection programming, experience with social welfare and assistance policy and programming, economics and poverty reduction programmes.

Qualification: Advanced university degree in social sciences, economics, public policy, international development or any related social science fields

Experience: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in drafting strategic social protection documents (in particular policies, strategies and plans), related policy reform processes or strategies, in designing social protection interventions, equity-focused research, analysis and evaluation of social protection programmes, including cash transfer programme, particularly in Africa. -

Professional skills and competencies:

• Hands-on experience in supporting development of social protection strategies or policies and in designing comprehensive social protection interventions
• Substantial experience in working on complex policy-based research related to social protection, poverty reduction, social welfare
• Proven ability in policy dialogue and providing policy advise to Government in the area of social protection, social security, social welfare and wellbeing
• Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate effectively with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and development partners on policy and strategic issues
• Strong understanding of social safety nets, social welfare services, administration and payment mechanisms both in theory and in practice
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Experience in workshop organization and facilitation
• Local or regional expert with knowledge of Namibian context and Namibian legislation

vii: Duration and venue

This work is estimated to correspond as full time for a period of 10 months, with effect from January 2018 to 31 October 2018. The Consultant will be based at the MPESW Head Office in Windhoek, Namibia, and will be expected to conduct limited field travel within Namibia as part of stakeholder consultations for the development of the SP policy.

Viii: Consultant Fees and other remuneration

Remuneration shall be based upon deliverables as earlier indicated and relevant tax laws shall apply. No payment will be made for incomplete assignments or unsatisfactory performance of the assignment based on the submission of satisfactory achievements against each deliverable. 

Travel costs will be based on the UNICEF's policies.

• Local travel (outside Windhoek) and airport transfers (where applicable) will be covered in accordance with UNICEF's policies.
• Flight costs will be covered at economy class rate as per UNICEF policies.
• Any air tickets for travel, will be authorized by and paid for by UNICEF, and will be for the attendance of meetings and workshops (if contractor is from outside Windhoek).