UNICEF - Consultancy Assignment, Social Protection Consultant, UNICEF Lesotho

UNICEF Lesotho

Terms of Reference

Consultancy Assignment

Background:

1.    Justification/Background

The situation analysis in Lesotho reveals that poverty, unemployment, HIV and AIDS and food insecurity are the major threats to human well-being in Lesotho. A total of 57.1% of population live below the poverty line and poverty rates are 50% higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Poverty situation in Lesotho is mainly driven by income inequality, with the Gini-Coefficient of 0.525. Moreover, the most vulnerable sectors of the population are not only impacted by poverty, but also unequal access to services and specific vulnerabilities due to geographic location, disability status, impact of HIV and AIDS on families, and gender.

In this context of poverty and vulnerability, UNICEF’s contribution through its country programme is to advance the fulfilment of the rights of all children and women in Lesotho to survival, development, participation and protection. It also contributes to strengthen national capacity to respond to, prevent, and mitigate the impact of high HIV prevalence on children and women towards achievement of national and international goals. It pursues an equity-focused approach for reducing child and maternal mortality, strengthening social and child protection systems and expanding basic education.

2.    Scope of the Work

Objective

This consultancy will contribute to the Social Policy section in two main areas:

• Overall coordination of the One Stop Shop Pilot

• Knowledge management, including internal and donor reporting, coordination of technical knowledge for advocacy purposes, documentation of lessons learnt and good practices of the Lesotho Country Programme, particularly in the area of social protection.

Main tasks

For One Stop Shop pilot:

• Plan and manage all activities related to the implementation of the pilot, acting as the focal point within UNICEF and for other development partners.

• Coordinate inputs of all UNICEF sections and leverage their technical expertise to advance work with the respective partner ministries.

• Support the relevant ministries with the necessary advocacy and planning for their integration into the pilot, including technical administrative support. In particular, support development of institutional arrangements based on the Service Mapping Report.

• Supervise the work of local consultants assisting with research, advocacy and implementation.

• Work closely with the Communication’s Specialist to oversee the production of a Community Development Package, inclusive of all information gaps identified by the Service Mapping Report.

• Oversee the development of the Project Document and all other necessary documentation with regards to the design of the pilot and milestones in implementation.

• Plan for capacity building of implementing partners, particularly community council-level staff.  

• Follow-up with procurement of all required inputs.

For knowledge management:

• Participate in strategic workshops and technical discussions regarding social protection.

• Support social protection strategy planning and formulation.

• Support the Chief of Social Policy with the production of short briefs and strategic documents on different UNICEF initiatives in the country.

3. Expected Deliverables

1. Monthly reports

4.    Payment Schedule

Taking in account the skills and expertise required to implement the Terms of Reference, the fee is estimated at UN reference scale (level 2/3). The actual remuneration fee will be negotiated with the selected candidate.

5.    Desired Background and Experience

Supervision

The consultant will be supervised by the Chief of Social Policy.

Professional background and education

• University Degree in Social sciences, Economics or Development management.

• At least three years of relevant work experience with main focus on social protection.

• Experience in report writing

• Excellent writing and editing skills in English.

• Proven experience in implementing time-limited projects and working under tight deadlines.

• Experience with UN or NGO is an asset.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills

6.    Conditions

The contractor’s fee shall be inclusive of all office administrative costs.

Flight costs will be covered at economy class rate as per UNICEF policy.

How to Apply

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the indicative fee range with reference: LESA/SSA/015-006.  The closing date for the submission is 04 September 2015.

Please indicate your availability and daily rates to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without daily rates will not be considered.

Applications and queries should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.