SHOCK RESPONSIVE SOCIAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST

Under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Advisor, Social Policy and in close collaboration with the LACRO Regional Emergency Unit, consultant will support the design, implementation, and monitoring of shock-responsive social protection systems in the Caribbean Region including, if in agreement with country disaster risk management strategies, cash transfer response during emergencies. Building capacity of Caribbean country offices in these areas, ensuring that UNICEF has a leading role in country dialogue in this area, and ensuring a regular coordination and partnership with other relevant regional actors, including CDEMA, is a critical role of the post.

THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF)

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR/ CONSULTANCY

FOR

SHOCK RESPONSIVE SOCIAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST

Level of experience: Junior [ ] 1-3yrs   Medium [X] 4-10yrs Senior [ ] more than 10yrs

Location: LACRO, Panama

Language(s) required: English (native) (written and spoken). Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Closing date for applying to this consultancy: May 23, 2018

Duration: 11 Months

Estimated start date of this consultancy: June 1, 2018  Estimated end date: 30 April 2019

PURPOSE:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Advisor, Social Policy and in close collaboration with the LACRO Regional Emergency Unit, consultant will support the design, implementation, and monitoring of shock-responsive social protection systems in the Caribbean Region including, if in agreement with country disaster risk management strategies, cash transfer response during emergencies. Building capacity of Caribbean country offices in these areas, ensuring that UNICEF has a leading role in country dialogue in this area, and ensuring a regular coordination and partnership with other relevant regional actors, including CDEMA, is a critical role of the post.

 KEY DELIVERABLES:

1. Regional strategy for shock -responsive social protection systems in the Caribbean, including specific considerations on the delivery of humanitarian cash transfer either through national systems or through parallel systems. Capacity building plan on shock responsive social protection designed and executed. Plan increases country office capacity for dialogue and programming in SR-SP and humanitarian cash transfers. Liaise with country offices and other key stakeholders to ensure buy-in.
2. Priority country level programme strategies and plans drafted, in which a holistic approach to emergency preparedness, contingency planning and response from social protection systems to address children's plight is reflected.
3. Partnerships with UN agencies and donors are strengthened at regional and country level. Entry points for joint support to governments are identified and pursued. Maintain links with Headquarters, WFP's and other institution SR-SP experts
4. Develops a rich set of communications/dialogue materials that: (i) bring the best of global UNICEF experience in SR-SP; (ii) documents and disseminates best practices; (iii) keeps abreast of global knowledge in the area; (iv) focus on the social protection of children and their families.
5. Best practices/lessons learned are documented.
6. Funding proposals for R-SP and/or cash programmes are developed and/or supported in Caribbean countries.

 KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Help develop subject-matter expertise on humanitarian cash transfers and shock-responsive social protection for UNICEF in the Caribbean.
2. Building on previous global and regional experiences (e.g. emergency response, cash initiatives, multisectoral, child-centered responses to emergencies) and most recent studies, lead the development of shock-responsive social protection system regional strategy in the Caribbean (this includes aspects related to targeting, aid delivery, exit strategy, institutional arrangements and financing). Develop a strategy for Government institutionalization of the shock-responsive social safety net
3. Support the establishment of links with emergency preparedness, contingency planning and response and monitoring, to enable the required institutional architecture for the mechanism to be functional in case of emergency in the region. Ensure the integration of UNICEF's emergency preparedness and resilience activities within the framework of the shock-responsive social protection systems.
4. Provide sustained technical support to COs in designing/implementing or expanding shock responsive social protection systems. Such support should be aligned with the regional/national resilience agenda.
5. Build partnerships for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian cash based programming, shock responsive social protection systems in the Caribbean, particularly with WFP, UNDP, ILO and UNHCR.
6. Support COs to establish robust monitoring and evaluation (including standard indicators as per Humanitarian Performance Monitoring) and verification systems for implementation of cash programs.
7. Gather data, produce analysis, as well as document best practices/lessons learned from on-going implementation that will inform the evolution of sub regional and country humanitarian cash strategies and approaches
8. If needed, represent LACRO in interagency SR-SP fora. Participate in discussions on opportunities for joint programmes and work with HQ to pursue these opportunities as appropriate. Develop and maintain a roster and network of national and international professionals in the field of shock-responsive social safety nets
9. Work closely with programme sections in the RO to develop links and provide technical support to integrate Education, Health and Nutrition, Child Protection and WASH programmes within a SP framework. Strengthen coordination within the office on this issue;
10. Elaborate a strategy to ensure continuous funding of UNICEF's SR-SP and humanitarian cash transfers. Produce advocacy materials to inform decision making internally and externally.
11. Be ready to travel and support UNICEF emergency response.
12. Others, as required.

 WORKING ARRANGEMENTS:

Position will base in Panama LACRO with travel to Caribbean country offices, as needed.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

- Advanced University degree in International Relations, Public Administration/Public Policy, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Social Sciences, or a related technical field.
-  Cash transfer programme expert, with several years experience in the design, implementation of cash transfers preferably in Latin America. In particular: (i) Consultant has designed targeting mechanisms (vulnerability needs assessments or others), understands management information systems for cash transfer implementation, has set up the operational aspects of beneficiary registration and payments, (ii) is versed on the methods of monitoring and evaluation of cash transfers, having evaluated the operation of cash transfer programmes, and being familiar with the research on cash programming; (iii) can analyse data with STATA, and advise soundly on the methods for M&E of cash transfer programs.

-Experienced in capacity building and training of (national) cash transfer programme teams. Possesses a professional network in the area.

- Advisory role is grounded in ample operational cash transfer experience.

- Experienced in integrating shock-responsive social protection strategies into regional/national social protection policies, institutions and systems

- Experienced in designing and implementation humanitarian cash transfers programmes

 OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

- Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute complex processes across a wide range of stakeholders. This is not an academic position. It is expected that the successful candidate has implementation experience that can feed advisory dialogue and emergency work.

- Advanced ability to work quickly and under pressure

-  Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization. Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

- Excellent (native) communication abilities in English (written and spoken)

FEES:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a financial proposal. Proven experience and financial proposal will be taken into consideration during selection process.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates may submit their application in the following link: LINK

The pre-selection of candidates will be done after closing date. Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.

Interested consultants to indicate ability, availability and rate (weekly/monthly) to undertake the terms of reference.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.