The Kyrgyz Republic is a small, landlocked, mountainous country bordered by China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, with a population of just over 6.2 million people, mainly living in rural areas. After it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the economy grew, poverty fell, child mortality declined, and life expectancy increased. However, since 2008 there have been a series of economic and political setbacks, and now the pandemic increased the number of poor people in the country, because of reduced economic activities, decreased remittances, price spikes and a growing fiscal gap.

Within the current Country Strategic Plan 2018-22, WFP as a mechanism to strengthen the national social protection system will pilot the ‘Social Contract’ – an agreement between eligible vulnerable families and the government, in which participants take part in a graduation programme and the government provides an integrated package, including: business plan, subsidized loan/grant (up to 1200$), agro and vocational training, social and health services, nutrition training, financial literacy and linkages to the market and coaching to assist families to get out of poverty.

During the pilot, the ‘Social contract’ will be signed with poor families, with entrepreneurs or with a group of poor families to explore the most viable set-up (WFP will pilot the programme in two districts (north and south) both in urban and rural areas. In each district there could be up to 50 poor families selected).

Job purpose:

To analyse existing social protection, banking, micro-finance, state budget, local self-government and other relevant legislations and provide related legal advice to effectively implement and replicate the ‘Social contract’ programme.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive):

Under the direct supervision of the national VAM Officer and the general direction of the Head of Programme/Deputy Country Director, with day-to-day coordination with the ‘Social contract’ Project coordinator as well as WFP staff in charge of government collaboration, the lawyer will be responsible for the following:

Analyse existing social protection, banking, micro-finance, state budget, local self-government and other relevant legislation to support the pilot at all stages with legal and policy advice:

Preparation and launch

Prepare necessary decrees, forms and instructions to launch and implement the social contract pilot.
Provide technical and legal advice to establish sustainable practises in the provision of start-up capital for poor families.

Pilot implementation

Accompany the project coordinators and field-based assistants with legal and policy support as needed, including in meetings with partners and stakeholders (in Bishkek and in the field).
Conduct lessons-learned analysis of previous pilots in terms of legal sustainability of models and approaches.
In close collaboration with the project coordinator and WFP, analyse the legal aspects and propose measures for improving the inter-ministerial coordination between different ministries, central and local governments for effective delivery of social, medical, vocational, agro, and employment services for poor families.
Conduct capacity strengthening activities with central apparatus of MHSD and local departments, as well as local self-government in terms of legal aspects of effective implementation and replication of the social contract programme.
Prepare the legal supporting documents as required for training activities foreseen under the pilot.

Scale-up efforts

Based on lessons learnt and desk review, propose a legal plan to create a “revolving scheme” for future replication of social contract, including proposition of necessary amendments, develop new by-laws, laws, decrees, and other policy recommendations to effectively replicate social contract programme (based also on the results of the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot)
Conduct analysis of state budget legislation for future replication of the social contract.
Provide periodic reports on the achieved deliverables/tasks as per ToR;
Other ad-hoc tasks as required.

OUTCOMES / DELIVERABLES / KPIs:

Legal documentation, including decrees, forms and instructions, to launch the social contract;
Legal documents and policy recommendations
- for the replication of ‘Social contract’ based on the results of the current and previous pilots;
- to support the establishment of a “revolving scheme” (‘Social contract’ based on loan scheme), including analysis of previous pilots and state budget legislation;
Legal documents and advice for replication of training mechanisms and materials;
Periodic reports on the status of the implementation of tasks and deliverables in the ToR.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Strong interpersonal skills: courtesy, tact and ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with demonstrated track-record to work in a team environment and achieve common goals: Presentation, networking and knowledge management skills.

• Ability to interpret and analyse a wide variety of programme issues and statistical information, and to maintain accurate and precise records for utilization in quality reports and presentations.

• Ability to work systematically (to plan and organize work under tight deadlines), use initiative, good judgment, and to communicate complex matters both orally and in writing, including when working in different locations.

• Ability to work independently and efficiently, aligned with WFP Kyrgyzstan’s safety net programmes and social protection positioning.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education: University education (master’s degree) in law (specialization in fields of law related to finance, economy, business administration preferred).

Experience: At least ten years of work experience in jurisprudence according to the Kyrgyz Republic’s legal system, including in the areas of social protection/ banking/ micro-finance/ state budget or local self-government legislation.

Experience of working with central government bodies and local self-government.

Knowledge of micro-credit and rural financing principles desirable.

Computer skills:

Literacy in MS Office365 applications, incl. collaborative working through MS Teams (or similar tools).

Language: Fluency in Russian and Kyrgyz language both oral and written.

The consultant will be equipped with a WFP laptop and phone for the duration of the assignment and will have the desk in the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

TALENTED WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

We look for applicants with the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian values. We commit to promote diversity, gender parity and equality between men and women.

WFP strives to build a work environment that is safe and respectful, and free of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. We believe in open communication, and every individual at WFP is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, etc.

Closing date: 7 September 2021

WFP does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process.

Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.

Apply now

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: wfp.org