Social Transfer Advisor (Jubbaland)

Background

A Federal Member State liaison with the title Social Transfer Advisor (FMS) is required to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in the implementation of an EU -funded Somalia project entitled the Social Transfers to Vulnerable Somali people (SAGAL) component of the Inclusive Local and Economic Development project in Somalia. SAGAL’s overall objective is the improved resilience and poverty reduction of poor and marginalised households and communities in Somalia. The Project will provide cash based social transfers complemented by systems building within the government for delivery of social protection. The cash based social transfers with complementary referrals will seek to positively transform gender norms and reduce gender barriers and identify means and pathways for the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs). This three-year project will continue through to March 2024. In support of the activities under SAGAL, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) seeks to hire a Social Transfer Advisor (Jubaland ) to support its operations and administration.

Project Overview

The specific objective of the SAGAL Project is to contribute to the implementation of the National Social Protection Policy by strengthening government capacities and enhancing social, economic and human capital among poor and extremely poor households in Somalia. The SAGAL project has two components: 1) reduce vulnerability and poverty by limiting the impact of shocks and disasters through the provision of cash based social transfers to support targeted households, and the linking humanitarian and development approaches; and 2) support to build social protection systems required for a government-led social protection system.

Outcome 1: Expanded access to cash based social transfers for poor and extremely poor households and increased access to employment and productive livelihoods

This objective will be achieved through the provision of cash based social transfers for households in rural, urban and peri urban areas, with a focus on both categorical and vulnerability-based selection. A variety of cash based social transfers will be designed to fulfil a set of social and economic objectives aiming to protect and promote human capital in the targeted households. Activities and messaging associated with cash based social transfers will aim to support children, women, youth and elderly to eventually make stronger contributions to the social and economic development of their households, communities and (in-turn) the country through improved nutrition, access to health, education and improved skills. The cash based social transfers will also build their resilience to stresses and shocks to avoid any further deterioration of their human capital and socio-economic conditions. The cash based social transfers will be in the form of unconditional cash based social transfers that are regular, predictable and reliable. Targeted households will receive the cash based social transfers and will, to the extent that it will be possible, be referred to, liaised with, other government, ILED and other projects services to access other inputs.

Outcome 2: Strengthened social protection systems capacity of key stakeholders

The project will improve the ability of government to implement and deliver a national cash based social transfer by contributing to the priorities of the Somalia Social Protection Policy (SSPP) Policy Objective 1: Establish and strengthen systems and capacities of the government of Somalia and other stakeholders to design, implement, and monitor coordinated and effective social protection projects, specifically at district level, in complement to other projects being implemented at federal and state levels by other actors and projects. In building the foundational systems required for future government-led social protection schemes, ,together with the Somali Cash Consortium, will work with key stakeholders including authorities and leaders at the federal, district and regional level to:

1. Support prototype-based learning and consultation to inform the design of future government-led social protection schemes that are inclusive. 
2. Support the development of government-owned targeting, registration and payment mechanisms. 
3. Support the interagency coordination mechanism for implementing the Social Protection Policy led by MoLSa and involving FMS and local authorities, UN agencies, humanitarian and development partners, national and international NGOs, and civil society.
4. Support the government to understand the vital link between cash and gender norms by demonstrating the approaches and building capacity to understand the evidence and benefits.
5. Support studies and collection of evidence on the vulnerability of the population and the impact of cash based social transfer projects to inform programming priorities under this policy. 

This approach will complement the systems building initiatives under the Baxnaano Safety Net funded by the World Bank where a social registry and other key mechanisms will be led by UNICEF together with government stakeholders. Furthermore, the consortium will work together with government agencies and local leaders to establish the foundational building blocks of an inclusive social protection floor in Somalia. This will be key for enabling excluded populations to obtain their rights to access these services and empowerment through using the cash based social transfers to build their assets base and move out of vulnerability and poverty. 

This project, particularly objective 2, is designed to be complementary to the World Bank funded Baxnaano project, which is setting up a social registry while also providing capacity building support to the MoLe. The SAGAL Social Cash Transfer Unit (SSCTU) will liaise closely with the World Bank project implementation unit, both hosted within the social protection division at MoLe, to ensure close coordination and complementarity.

SAGAL Social Cash Transfer Coordination Unit (SSCTCU)

As such, the project will establish a project cash based social transfer coordination unit at MoLSA FGS and also ensure adequate liaison capacity within Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MOPIED). This unit will lead on all intergovernmental and external coordination for the cash based social transfer project and provide high-quality technical expertise, guidance and leadership that will contribute to successful project implementation. As such, it is proposed that the project cash based social transfer coordination unit will consist of thirteen advisors in the FGS and FMS.

Description of the Role

The Social Transfer Advisor (STA) for the Jubaland Member States (MS) will be responsible for the liaison and monitoring of the SAGAL Social Cash Transfer. The daily liaison and coordination at the FMS-level, development partners, and other key stakeholders of the project is intended to facilitate effective delivery of project activities and to achieve overall project objectives. The STA will be based in the FMS designated ministry in the FMS capital to coordinate and liaise with the Cash Consortium and other stakeholders supporting project delivery.

SCOPE OF WORK

Specific duties of the Social Transfer Advisor for the Jubaland will include:

1. Serve as a point of contact and sensitize the relevant representatives at counterpart ministries at the Jubaland level, community-based organizations (CBOs) and other social partners on social protection and to create champions for SAGAL at the FMS, district and local levels.
2. Facilitate cooperation between the MoLE/FGS and the relevant representatives at counterpart ministries at the FMS, district and local level on SAGAL activities and communicate priorities and concerns of the represented FMS to the SSTCU at the FGS level.
3. Coordinate with the relevant representatives at counterpart ministries at the FMS level, the SSTCU/MoLE, and field teams of the Cash Consortium members, as well as the other social protection partners to support the implementation of the SAGAL in his/her respective FMS.
4. Attend and organize relevant meetings at FMS, district and local levels to support the implementation and coordination of SAGAL activities, as requested by the representing FMS and the SSTCU/MoLE.
5. Prepare briefing notes, debriefs, reports necessary for the implementation and coordination of SAGAL activities and ensure follow-up on the represented FMS progress, as required.
6. Notify the SSTCU/MoLE of pending and important issues to be raised during social protection meetings.
7. Recommend responses and action plans as a result of interacting with the project’s field team and the local community.
8. Enable the flow of information between all relevant parties, particularly the relevant representatives at counterpart ministries at the FMS level, and reporting immediately to the SSTCU/MoLE complaints related to the SAGAL in line with SAGAL complaints procedure for the SSTCU/MoLE to respond as necessary.
9. In collaboration with relevant representatives at counterpart ministries at the FMS level, the SSTCU/MoLe, and field teams of the Cash Consortium, organize and participate in community sensitization and outreach activities to raise awareness.
10. Compile and share reports about particular incidents, events, or updates on important issue for the project.
11. Organise and participate in trainings, workshops, supervision and implementation support missions by MoLE.
12. Perform any other duties as required by the SSTCU/MoLE and/or represented FMS authority.

QUALIFICATIONS

The candidates should have the following desired qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas: development studies, social work or care, management, public administration or business administration or any other relevant fields.
• 5 years of relevant working experience at the national or international level in project/programme coordination and management areas including humanitarian organizations, international NGOs, and government.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Somalia development agenda, mechanisms and principles of social protection, safety net programs and intra-governmental processes desired. Willingness to undertake in training on safety nets and social protection.
• Proven skills and ability in effectively communicating with and coordinating across diverse groups of stakeholders, including project staff, partners, government authorities, private sector and communities.
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills in Somali and English, including the ability to communicate proactively with key stakeholders, correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately. The candidate will demonstrate openness in sharing information.
• Readiness and proven ability to work in multi-cultural environment.
• Complete fluency and writing skills in Somali and English.

CONDUCT OF WORK

Duration of Assignment: The Social Transfer Advisor (FMS) shall be contracted for an initial one-year period, with possibility for extension based on performance and requirement.

Location of the assignment:

The Social Transfer Advisor (FMS) will be hired by the Norwegian Refugee Council and seconded to the Jubaland Ministry of Labour and Employment

She/he may travel regularly within the regions to represent the FMS and SAGAL project in meetings with district and local authorities.