UNICEF recruits 01 Social Policy Specialist
Social Policy Specialist (Cash Transfer Specialist) , Temporary Appointment , P-3, Bamako, Mali post #109606 (520113) 364 days
Job Number: 520113 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: Mali
Work Type : Temporary Appointment
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For every child, Hope
Despite Mali’s efforts to commit to Education for All by 2015, the country has fallen behind in achieving this goal. To date, Mali still has 1.2 million children out of school (EHE out of school or out of school) and at risk of dropping out of school (age 7-12). In addition, demographic trends suggest that this figure will increase in the near future. While school exclusion in Mali is caused by multiple structural factors associated with demand as well as barriers on the educational supply side, the EHE problem is magnified by a weak education management system. In addition, the complex crisis facing Mali, which includes political instability, armed conflict and recurring floods and food insecurity.
UNICEF is particularly well placed to assist the Government of Mali to meet these challenges and to contribute to a significant reduction in the total number of children out of school (EHE-out-of-school or out-of-school) and at risk of dropping out of school. country. UNICEF’s comparative advantages include not only its unique mandate and expertise in education, but also strong and close relationships with Mali’s Ministry of National Education, bilateral and multilateral partners, and civil society, including important networks within communities. In addition, the country office of UNICEF Mali also has an auxiliary network comprised of five zone offices and regionally-based educational staff in direct contact with the Academies of Education (AE) and Pedagogical Animation Centers (CAP).
Since academic year 2018-2019, UNICEF Mali is implementing a Project to support school integration (PAIS) through a set of six group of interventions aiming at sending back to school students who have dropped out, while maintaining those who are enrolled, but at risk of dropping out. In total the project aims at reaching 250.000 children and comprised the following: (i) information and awareness campaigns to mobilize communities on the importance of schooling; (ii) setting up of accelerated and gateway centers for out-of-school children aged 10-12; (iii) direct reintegration in schools for children aged 7-10; (iv) Advisory / educational support to 7 to12 year-old children at risk of school drop-out; and (v) Financial support to the most vulnerable families to enable them to send their children to school.
This last set of interventions consists of a conditional cash transfer program for the most vulnerable families. The main assumption behind the cash transfer program is that children living in the most vulnerable / disadvantaged families are at greater risk of being out of school, mainly for two reasons: induced by school attendance (uniform, school supplies, distance, etc.) and (ii) the shortfall when children go to school instead of working (lost wages, less help with housework, marriage, etc.).
The purpose of the position is to manage the cash transfer component of the PAIS program, and to lead UNICEF Mali work on the implementation of the road map for the minimum preparedness standard 9 (MPS 9) of the Emergency Preparedness Plan (readiness for humanitarian cash transfers).
How can you make a difference?
Under the direct supervision of both the Chief, Social Policy and Inclusion, and in close collaboration with the education team, , the incumbent is accountable for management, implementation and administration of UNICEF-led cash transfer programmes, namely the cash transfer under the PAIS (project to support school integration), and to ensure tandem linkages with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Solidarity and Humanitarian Action, the various UNICEF and Inter-Agency sections, and partners.
The incumbent will also be accountable for assessing UNICEF’s readiness to implement/support humanitarian cash transfers in Mali by implementing the road-map for the minimum preparedness standard of the EPP related to humanitarian cash transfer (MPS 9) for Mali; as well as the feasibility of a pilot cash transfer project to support nutrition.
S/he will be responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the PAIS cash transfer programme, including the baseline evaluation of the socio-economic conditions of beneficiary households, as well as the final evaluation the project effect.
The Specialist will focus on moving the integration of cash components into programmatic aspects of education and nutrition. In parallel, s/he will liaise with partners on a joint delivery mechanism.
Key expected results
1. Cash feasibility assessment to support an office wide approach to cash, including multi sector and sector specific entry points
2. Cash education programme
Design and management of education-focused cash transfer programme.
Effective knowledge and data management system developed, operational and utilized to strengthen the education-related cash-based pilot programme management and ongoing technical design of the pilot design.
Support in the cash transfer programme monitoring and evaluation to improve programme performance, and programme status report timely prepared.
Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained with government counterparts, impact evaluation stakeholders, UNICEF and partner sector staff for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme management/coordination, information sharing and networking.
Programme reports prepared, in collaboration with Education section as required and funds optimally used.
3. Road-map for the minimum preparedness standard related to humanitarian cash transfer (MPS 9) of Mali emergency preparedness plan (EPP) implemented
Major duties and responsibilities
1. Lead, in coordination with the Education section, the development of education-focused cash transfer programme
Ensure the design, implementation and coordination of the Education-focused cash transfer programme; Lead, in coordination with the section and operations, the development of education-focused cash transfer programme including on targeting, registration, payment and complaints/grievance system in order to improve school enrollment, retention and mitigating negative coping mechanisms directly impacting children’s well being
Supervise and support monitoring and evaluation activities: Work closely with monitoring and evaluation system for cash transfer programme and implement recommendations to improve the efficiency and quality of the programmes using the cash modality; undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action; participate in annual sector review meetings and organize review meetings with partners and counterparts; ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports; Develop a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure quality monitoring of all UNICEF funded social transfers (both cash and in-kind) in collaboration with implementing partners, including the set up a third party monitoring mechanism for the process and output monitoring of the PAIS cash transfer and other cash programme; Develop the ToR for the final evaluation of the PAIS cash transfer
Provide the operational management of the program: Conduct regular operational analysis of the programme, identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional training and technical support; Develop a risk management approach to the use of the cash modality for the Mali CO: undertake risk assessment and identify risk mitigation; In close collaboration with the office operation team support the financial reporting and liquidation process; Work with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability
2. Technically support the use of the cash modality within the different sections of the office (i.e multi sector and sector specific)
Inform the technical design of cash programmes throughout the office;
Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
3. Ensure Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration for cash transfer programmes
Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to ensure efficiency of the programme ( explore and identify joint activities to be implemented and/or coordinated with UNHCR and WFP) in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.
4. Ensure implementation of the road-map for the MPS 9 of Mali emergency preparedness plan (EPP)
Update the mapping of cash transfers projects in Mali
Organize a study tour of the Ministry of solidarity ad Humanitarian action (both division in charge of social protection and division in charge of humanitarian assistance) to an African country which has successfully implement humanitarian cash transfer at a large scale
Mainstream child nutrition into targeting, accompanying measures and impact evaluation of the national safety nets programme jigisemejiri.
5. Represent UNICEF Mali country office in the cash forums, and internally to other office sections
Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
Participate and regularly present at different meetings UNICEF Mali activities and positions
Develop links and provide technical support to other sections; strengthen coordination within the office on this issue;
contribute to the discussions around a strategy that strengthens longer term social protection scheme with the government
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Advanced university degree in economics, social policy, social protection, public policy, or other relevant disciplines is required. **A first level university degree with a total of [7] seven years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.**
A minimum of [5] five years of relevant professional work experience – in particular of designing, implementing and management of cash transfer programmes, including in humanitarian contexts is required.
A strong knowledge of social protection policy debates and evidence is required.
Experience in education programmes is required.
Key expertise in data and information management is required.
Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner is required
Experience in humanitarian contexts is considered as a strong asset.
Fluency in French is required and English is an asset . Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The competencies required for this post are….
View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.
* Please note that this is a non-family duty station.
* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.
Closing Date Mon Mar 04 2019 00:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)