UNICEF recrute un consultant national individuel expert en développement social, Ghana

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

 

Background :

In Ghana, the emergence of Social Protection Programmes has been guided by the Ghana National Social Protection Strategy (GNSPS). The GNSPS portrays social protection as integral to the overall development architecture of Ghana, which is rooted in the human rights-driven philosophy of the 1992 Constitution. The strategy, developed in 2007 and revised in 2012, aims to spearhead the implementation of a well-coordinated sector-wide social protection system so as to ensure that people are able to live in dignity through income support, livelihoods empowerment and improved systems of basic services. Building on this foundation, a National Social Protection Policy was developed and approved in 2015. It provides a framework for delivering social protection coherently, effectively and efficiently in a way that is holistic and properly targeted.  It defines an understanding of social protection and a social protection floor within a Ghanaian context and provides an institutional framework for coordination as well as stakeholder collaboration in monitoring and ensuring accountability. It prescribes 15 years of policy implementation.

In spite of the successes achieved in the sector in the last one and half decade, some key areas remain to be resolved: institutional set-up for coordination, complementarity of programmes, application of rights principles in programme delivery, effective communication on social protection, creation of fiscal space for social protection financing and effective programme monitoring.

The social protection policy implementation plan was finalized in 2017 to guide the translation of policy guidelines into practice. The policy prescribed a 15 years implementation period broken down into three phased terms; short term (1-3 years), medium term (4-7) and long term (8-15 years).   In line with this, the policy recommends a process review (timing of activities, release of resources, uptake of initiatives as well as other processes) at the end of the third year of implementation, A mid-term review process is to take place during the 6^th year and a major policy evaluation process at the 10^th year of implementation. The short-term implementation plan commenced in 2018 and will end in Dec 2020.

 

Objectives :

The objectives of this consultancy are to :

1. Support key stakeholders to review progress made on the short-term policy implementation plan, identify gaps and provide recommendations for acceleration of efforts towards achievement of targets ;
2. Support the development and finalization of a medium-term policy implementation plan ;
3. Collaborate with relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies to develop a coordination and complementary services framework for the sector in line with the policy provisions ;
4. Support operationalization of the social protection bill lobby strategy ;
5. Lead the progress review exercise on the inclusive growth targets by MMDAs and identify gaps in implementation ;
6. Support the CSOs/UNICEF social accountability programme and rights campaign ;
7. Support the SPD to build capacity of key high-level stakeholders in social protection.

 

How can you make a difference?

1. Support the review process of the short-term policy implementation plan : The consultant will work with the social protection directorate of the ministry of gender, children and social protection to organize policy review engagements with relevant MMDAs. The review process will involve an assessment of the timing of activities, release of resources, uptake of initiatives as well as other processes within the last three years. Findings of the review process should be collated and presented at a stakeholder workshop. The consultation will be required to effectively facilitate discussions on how to close gaps and to accelerate efforts towards achievement of targets.

2. Lead the development of the medium-term policy implementation plan : The medium-term implementation plan is required to be finalized and ready for implementation in 2021. Building on the previous task, the consultant will be required to collaborate with stakeholders in the sector to develop a medium-term implementation plan based on the provision of the policy and the recommendations from the above review process. This will involve the development of a road map for developing the plan, consultations with stakeholders to collate inputs, development of drafts and final versions of the plan and facilitation of a validation meeting on the plan.

3. Collaborate with sector stakeholders to develop coordination guidelines : The Ministry of gender, children and social protection has through a legal instrument been given the mandate to coordinate social protection delivery in Ghana. Although key steps have been taken to implement key priorities of the policy, coordination still remains an area that has seen little progress in the last few years. The Ministry seeks to develop a coordination framework for the sector that clarifies what it means for the sector, how it should be implemented and the needed collaboration from the various MMDAs. The consultant will be required to lead the development of a comprehensive coordination framework including guidelines for complementarity and linkages (learning from ongoing work on linkages at the decentralized level)  that would promote effective coordination right from national to the district level and secondly, to support the operationalization of the social protection institutional structures (especially the Inter-ministerial coordinating committee).

4. Support the operationalization of the social protection bill lobby strategy : The final draft of the social protection bill is currently being reviewed by the AG’s department and would then be submitted to cabinet and parliament for review. UNICEF supported the Ministry to develop a lobby strategy (including a one-year implementation plan) for the bill with an objective to engage high level stakeholders to elicit support for the passage of the bill. The consultant will work with the social protection directorate to implement priority activities from the strategy. This will include extensive engagement activities with relevant stakeholders, planning/organization of key events and development of a cabinet memo for the Bill.

5. Lead the progress made on the implementation of recommendations from the Inclusive Growth Forums (2015, 2017, 2019) : UNICEF has worked with several partners on Ghana’s inclusive growth agenda in the last 5 years. This engagement has led to the development of key policy recommendations and related commitments from various MDAs. It is key that progress made on the actualization of these commitments and recommendations are reviewed. The consultant will be required to map out the recommendations and commitments in relation to each government agency or stakeholder and systematically review their progress. The consultant will also be required to facilitate a stakeholder workshop to share a comprehensive progress report on the inclusive growth agenda and gaps in implementation. Based on these consultations, the consultant will be required to produce one briefing paper and at least two newspaper articles on the status of inclusive growth in Ghana.

6. Support the CSOs/UNICEF social accountability programme and rights campaign : UNICEF is partnering with three CSO platforms to improve social accountability in the delivery of social protection. A key activity is the organization of learning events with key stakeholders with an objective to share knowledge and experiences on social protection, engage key government agencies for information-sharing and to strategize for more effective citizens’ engagement and rights-oriented social protection delivery. The consultant will be required to collaborate with UNICEF and the relevant CSO platform to plan, organize and facilitate 2 national level learning events.

7. Support the SPD to build capacity of key high-level stakeholders in social protection : The MoGCSP has consistently seek to improve stakeholders understanding on social protection and its important role in national development. A key priority has been working with and building the capacity of key stakeholders in various MMDAs on social protection and their role in the sector. The consultant will be expected to support the SPD in this ongoing activity specifically in designing capacity building content materials and in delivering at least three of the training in a tailored manner to meet the needs of specific stakeholders.

 

Expected Deliverables :

The following deliverables are expected :

1. Report on 5 bilateral engagements with key MMDAs on their progress under the policy provisions ;
2. A comprehensive report on the short-term policy review process (to include progress made, gaps, bottlenecks and recommendations) ;
3. Workshop report; facilitate one workshop to share the policy review report with stakeholders and jointly agree on key areas for accelerating efforts (the product from the workshop should be submitted to the MoGCSP) ;
4. Submit a road map for the development of the medium-term policy implementation plan ;
5. Submit a draft medium-term plan in line with the policy provisions as well as recommendations from the short-term plan review engagements ;
6. In collaboration with the SPD, organize and facilitate two stakeholder consultations on the first draft and final versions of the medium-term plan ;
7. Submit a final validated version of the medium-term plan.

 Reporting :

• The consultant will report to the Social Protection Specialist – UNICEF ;
• The consultant will work closely with the Social Protection Director and the team at the Social Protection Directorate as well as UNICEF’s Social Protection Team.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• A Master’s degree in Social Sciences (social policy, international development, international economics, public administration etc.) is required. PhD is an asset ;
• At least 8 years of relevant professional work experience at policy level in Government, Research institutes, NGOs, or other reputed institutions on social policy development (preferably Social Protection), poverty reduction, livelihoods, M&E and institutional development is required ;
• Proven track record of leadership, people management and experience with institutional change processes is required ;
• Good understanding of the decentralized system as well as the civil society landscape of Ghana is required ;
•  Previous experience in facilitating and coordinating the development of policy/cabinet documents on social policy and social protection issues in Ghana is required ;
• Previous knowledge of key documents, reports, studies on social protection in Ghana is required ;
• Outstanding communication, Excellent oral and written English skills is required ;
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset

 

General Conditions : Procedures and Logistics :

• The consultant will be expected to use his/her own computer and office ;
• The assignment will be based in Accra and consultant will be paid DSA for all official overnight travels outside Accra ;
• Total calculated professional fees will be paid in 8 installments based on deliverables as indicated above ;
• In view of the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, and when UNICEF vehicle is available for the consultant’s field travels outside Accra, all UN protocol procedure and clearances must be confirmed prior to commencing travel. In the event that UNICEF vehicle is not available, the consultant may be reimbursed the cost for such field visits based on pre-agreed lumpsum.
• A travel plan and all travel related costs must be pre-agreed with supervisor and in consultation with the Admin section.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

 

Detailed TOR attached here for reference. Social Development Expert Consultancy .pdf

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are…

View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

 

Remarks :

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.