National Consultancy : Programme review and development of 5-year proposal to support the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Balaka and Ntcheu

Contract

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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.

For every child, protection...

The Government of Malawi (GoM) prioritized Social Support (SS) for its potential of delivering inclusive growth, reducing poverty, promoting equity as well as enhancing the resilience of the poor and vulnerable groups. In 2012, the GoM approved a comprehensive policy framework to support the establishment and implementation of a coherent Social Protection system. GoM, therefore, created the Malawi National Social Support Programme (MNSSP) in 2012, which is tasked with the operationalization of the National Social Support Policy (NSSP). The policy prioritizes five programme components, one of them is the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP). The other four priority areas of the NSSP including Public Works Programme (PWP), School Meals Provision, as well as Village Saving and Loans and well Microfinance Services.

The Malawi Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) was initiated in 2006 in the pilot district of Mchinji, providing small monthly cash grants to ultra-poor and at the same time ' labour constrained households. Objectives of the programme include reducing poverty and hunger and improving health and nutrition in vulnerable households as well as increasing child school enrolment. The SCTP is currently operational in all the 28 districts of the country and reaches over 281,000 ultra-poor and labour-constrained households and over 1,185,000 individuals (of which over 610,000 are children). The programme is fully executed by the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare (MoGCDSW) and District Councils while the Poverty Reduction and Social Protection (PRSP) division of Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development (MoFEPD) plays a supervisory role and provide technical backstopping in the areas of advocacy, coordination of stakeholders, as well as the provision of general political direction. Funding for the SCTP is provided by Irish Aid, the European Union, and the German Government through KfW, the World Bank and the Government of Malawi, while UNICEF provides technical support to implementation, system strengthening and general evidence generation.

The Government of Ireland has supported the MOGCDSW in the implementation of the SCTP in Balaka and Ntcheu Districts since 2013. The current five years programme which started from 2017 to 2021 is coming to an end in December 2021. Under this support, the SCTP is reaching out to over 23,000 households across the districts and payment of transfer to these beneficiaries is done electronically through a bank-based e-payment model.

The Ministry has been given a green light by Irish Aid to develop a successful programme for the next five years (2022-2025) for the 3rd Phase of the SCTP in Balaka and Ntcheu districts. The MoGCDSW is therefore requesting UNICEF to support with an individual consultant to support the review and development of the new proposal for the SCTP under the Government of Ireland funding to run from 2022 to 2025.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the MoGCDSW – SCTP Secretariat to conduct a programme review and develop a 5-year proposal to support the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Balaka and Ntcheu districts under Irish Aid.

The scope of work of this consultancy is to support MoGCDSW to develop a 5-years proposal to the Government of Ireland for the implementation of the SCTP in Balaka and Ntcheu districts. The consultant will work with the SCTP secretariat, UNICEF and partners to develop the proposal using participatory approaches. It is expected that the consultant will conduct a quick review of the support in the last 2 phases to identify areas of improvement, lessons learnt and practices, and identify key areas for the next phase of the programme support. The review should be based on an objective gaps analysis to identify key challenges and opportunities for all the areas of support that should inform the development of the new technical and financial proposal.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Academic qualification:

• An advanced degree or equivalent in social sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Banking and finance or another relevant discipline (s). An advanced degree is an added advantage.

  Work experience:

• At least 8 years of relevant experience and proven expertise in the area of social protection and/or humanitarian cash-based assistance.

• Proven experience working with the Government in areas of resources mobilization/proposal development for social protection and/or humanitarian interventions in Malawi.
• Proven experience in participatory approaches or similar client-based strategies and engagements.

• Previous experience in working with the Malawi Social Cash Transfer Programme is a strong asset.

  Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent writing skills, analytical skills as well as good computer skills.

• Proven skills interview, planning, and facilitation.

• Strong communication skills, including with and across diverse teams.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task and handle work in an efficient and timely manner. Demonstrated ability to coordinate tasks to meet the deadlines necessary.

Competencies:

Core Values:

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with people
• Drive for Results

Languages:

Fluency in English and Chichewa is required

Please refer to the attached full Terms of Reference TORs for Individual Consultant Irish Aid Proposal Development.pdf for more details on the consultancy and requirements

How to apply....

Interested consultants should provide the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Brief technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to the assignment
3. Financial proposal including a breakdown of their all-inclusive fees (including professional fees, travel, living cost, visa and other costs). Complete the attached form Financial Proposal for Consultancy.xlsx.
4. References details

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.