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SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS OFFICER, LA

Panamá

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Panamá
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • Legal - Broad
    • Legal - International Law
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Protection Officer (Refugee)
    • Social and Economic Policy
  • Closing Date: Closed

Under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Advisor, Social Policy, support the design, implementation, and monitoring of shock-responsive social protection systems in Latin America (LA). Officer will support the strengthening of integrated social protection systems in the region and cash response during emergencies; supporting the efforts to build capacity of LA country offices in these areas, strengthening messages, instruments and outputs for country dialogue and ensuring that UNICEF has a leading role in in this area. Officer will ensure regular coordination and partnership with relevant regional actors, as a critical role of this post.

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR/ CONSULTANCY

FOR

 SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS OFFICER, LA

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

Location: UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACRO)

Language(s) required: Native speaker in Spanish. Proficient in English (Oral and Verbally).

Closing date for applying to this consultancy: 31 May 2018

Estimated start date of this consultancy: 11 June 2018                     Estimated end date: 7 June 2019

BACKGROUND:

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNICEF has a regional office (LAC-RO) based in Panama, and 24 country offices operating in 36 countries and territories.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus – working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Advisor, Social Policy, support the design, implementation, and monitoring of shock-responsive social protection systems in Latin America (LA).  Officer will support the strengthening of integrated social protection systems in the region and cash response during emergencies; supporting the efforts to build capacity of LA country offices in these areas, strengthening messages, instruments and outputs for country dialogue and ensuring that UNICEF has a leading role in in this area. Officer will ensure regular coordination and partnership with relevant regional actors, as a critical role of this post.

KEY DELIVERABLE'S

  1. Social Protection Strategy is disseminated and tailored for country office needs.
  2. Regional strategy for shock -responsive social protection (SR-SP) systems in LA, including cash response readiness in emergencies developed.
  3. Capacity building plan on integrated social protection systems and shock responsive social protection designed and executed. Plan increases country office capacity for dialogue and programming in SR-SP and cash transfers. Liaise with country offices other key stakeholders to ensure buy-in.
  4. Priority country level programme strategies and plans drafted, in which a holistic approach to emergency response from social protection systems to address children’s plight is reflected.
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. Best practices/lessons learned are documented.
  8. Funding proposals for LA SR-SP or cash programmes are developed and/or supported.

 KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Help develop subject-matter expertise on integrated social protection systems and shock-responsive social protection for UNICEF in LA.
  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, LA (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, 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 integrated social protection systems and shock responsive social protection systems. In particular, such support should be aligned with the regional/national resilience agenda.
  5. Build partnerships for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of shock responsive social protection systems in LA, particularly with WFP and UNHCR
  6. Support COs to establish robust 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 subregional and country 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. Maintain a network of national and international professional contacts in the field of integrated social protection systems and 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. Produce advocacy materials to inform decision making internally and externally

INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR’S WORKPLACE:

Office-based position in Panama with travel to country offices, as needed.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

University degree in International Relations, Public Administration/Public Policy, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Social Sciences, or a related technical field.
-  Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels involved in social program implementation, and with demonstrable experience in: (i) program design; (ii) large (national) social program process analysis and preparation of standard operating procedures; (iii) design and implementation of M&E systems; and (iv) capacity building and training of  (national) social programme teams.  

-  Officer will provide advice based on solid technical knowledge and, mostly, ample operational, direct public sector experience in Latin America implementing SP programs. Hence, candidate has implemented social programs (cash transfers, nutrition, early childhood development), in regular and humanitarian situations. Experience in reaching displaced, highly vulnerable population a plus.

 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.
- Advanced ability to work quickly and under pressure, with a high standard of quality.

-  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.

- While Spanish will be the main language of work, it is expected that consultant will be able to communicate in English if necessary.

 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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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