National Consultancy: Support to Refinement of the MNSSP II Coordination Mechanism (open to nationals of Malawi only)

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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.

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, a childhood

In 2012, the Government of Malawi approved the National Social Support Policy (NSSP) and established the Malawi National Social Support Programme (MNSSP) 2012-16 to operationalize the policy. The MNSSP has been reviewed and a second phase, MNSSP II, covering a period from 2018-2023 is currently operational. The programme provides social support (protection) to poor and vulnerable households and individuals as well as adapt this support to increase disaster risk management in line with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III - 2017-2022). The MNSSP II also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its aspiration of ‘a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development’ and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda1[1]. The social support (protection) agenda in Malawi is the mandate of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development & Public Sector Reforms (MoEPD&PSR).

The coordination structure for the MNSSP II needs updating from the preceding programme. The fact that the MNSSP II is organized around pillars has prompted the need to introduce another layer of coordination at the pillar level with a well-grounded rationale and clear working relationship between the Pillar Working Groups (PWG), the Technical Working Groups (TWG) of the various programmes of the MNSSP II, and with the MNSSP National Steering and Technical Committees. A review of MNSSP I also identified a key challenge of fragmented implementation of the programme based on ineffective coordination structures especially at district level. At district level, the District Social Support Committee (DSSC) coordinates the SCTP while the other social support programmes have their own coordination committees. The Poverty Reduction and Social Protection (PRSP) Division has developed harmonized ToRs for the DSSCs in an effort to harmonize the various committees and thus lead to better coordination at district level of the various social support programmes.

UNICEF, on behalf of the Government and other stakeholders, is therefore looking for a suitably qualified National Consultant to support the review and refinement of the coordination structure of the MNSSP II, considerate of shock-responsive aspects. The National Consultant will work closely with an International Consultant that will provide strategic inputs and oversight to the process, with a specific focus, but not limited to SRSP aspects.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the review and refinement of MNSSP II coordination structures that will contribute to an inclusive, integrated, effective coordination mechanism that is considerate of shock-responsive aspects, for effective and efficient delivery of social support (protection) programmes.

The Scope of Work of the Consultant will include the following specific objectives that will be refined in consultation with a government-led Technical Reference Group:

a. In consultation with relevant stakeholders, generate a concise document that summarizes:

i. previous assessments of the MNSSP II and other social protection coordination structures;

ii. current evidence on MNSSP II coordination structures, including englobing COVID-19 and SRSP lean season response coordination learning;

iii. Government, development partners and other key stakeholders’ coordination needs, challenges and opportunities that also reflect latest developments and specific learnings from the COVID-19 emergency social protection response; and,

iv. articulation of identified good practices, as well as challenges and opportunities for more effective coordination.

b. In consultation with Government, development partners and other relevant stakeholders:

i. develop a mapping of social protection and humanitarian structures including technical and donor working groups and social protection related task forces, cabinet committees, and district-level entities, etc;

ii. produce a mapping of social protection and humanitarian stakeholders at national, district and sub-district (community) level; and

iii. present to PRSPD and relevant partners the mapping report for endorsement and preparing supporting material as needed.

c. Informed by the assessment, the mapping, needs and opportunities and in consultation with Government, development partners and other relevant stakeholders:

i. develop options (2) for the refinement of the MNSSP II coordination structure, where the various proposed layers of coordination are clearly defined and effectively linked at both national and sub-national level. These options shall include guidance for the functioning of MNSSP II coordination structures in a shock-responsive mode, including on linkages with the humanitarian cluster system.

ii. identify and articulate linkages between: the MNSSP II coordination structures and other key related structures (that have relevance to the social protection sector); between social protection structures and humanitarian structures at national, district and sub-district (community) level. In both cases, the consultant should look at overlaps, synergies, information flows etc.

iii. present results in a short, practical summary paper and related Powerpoint presentation

d. Based on the option adopted, review/refine, and/or develop new TORs for all levels of the MNSSP II coordination structure at national, district and sub-district (community) level for endorsement and prototyping by Government and relevant stakeholders

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

Academic qualification:

• Advanced University degree (masters or PhD) in one of the following disciplines: International Development, Social or Public Policy, Development Economics, International Cooperation/Relations, Social Work or other relevant social sciences.

Work experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of work experience in development programming in low income countries.

• Proven experience of working with and/or supporting Government at national and district level in Malawi.

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience in the social protection sector.

• Proven experience conducting social research utilizing participatory methods approach.

• Demonstrable experience in conducting surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews and Human Rights Based Approach to Programming (HRBAP).

• Experience working with the UN and donor agencies will be an advantage.

• Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation experience.

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Specific knowledge of mapping, programs coordination.

• Familiarity with poverty reduction and humanitarian issues.

• In depth understanding of development context of south and eastern countries in Africa

Competencies:

• Excellent planning, organizing and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent report writing, communication and facilitation skills.

• Excellent working with people skills.

• Demonstrated ability to present information and ideas and to communicate effectively;

• Proven ability to: (i) handle multiple tasks under pressure with short deadlines; (ii) ability to work independently, seeking guidance on complex issues.

Languages:

• Excellent written and spoken English.

• Fluency in other local languages (besides Chichewa) will be an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants 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. Sample of document(s) authored by candidate for similar assignments;

4. 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

5. Reference 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.

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.