Categories: Social and Economic Policy, Consultancy
The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country situated in the Northwest part of Southern Africa. Out of 1.2 million inhabitants, 910.000 live in rural or semi-rural settings [1]. With a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of US$2.960 in 2016 (down from an all-time high GDP per capita of US$4.010 in 2013) [2], Swaziland is classified as a lower middle income country. Despite this status, it ranks low in human development. Specifically, it ranks 148th of 188 countries in the combined measurements of the most recent Human Development Index (HDI) [3].
It is estimated that 63 per cent of Swazis live below the national poverty line and the GINI coefficient of 51.5 [4] indicates a high level of income inequality in the country. Seventy per cent of children live in poverty, rising to 80 per cent for children who have lost both parents. [5] Roughly 87,000 of Swazi children are orphaned [6], and these children are generally poorer than other children in the country [7].
HIV and AIDS continues to remain the most pressing challenge facing Swaziland. The country has the highest rate of HIV prevalence in the world, with 26 per cent of 15-49-year-olds, or an estimated 190,000 people, living with HIV. [8], [9] The rate is 31 per cent for women and 20 per cent for men. A consequence of the HIV epidemic is the extremely high number of children living without appropriate family care. Approximately 45 per cent of children fall into this category, 24 per cent having lost one and 5 per cent both parents. [10]
Swaziland has a young population and there are reasons to believe that children are disproportionally affected by the adverse conditions in the country. With a median age of 20.5, the Swazi youth under the age of 20 represent 52 per cent of the total population [1]. Chronic malnutrition is also a major concern in Swaziland. Stunting affects 26 per cent of children under five, while 2 per cent of children in the same age group are wasted and 6 per cent are underweight (WFP, 2017). Although primary education is inclusive of most primary school-age children, the secondary education enrolls only 63% of the secondary school-age children [2]. Children in Swaziland represent a vulnerable population that deserve a special attention, there is an urgent need to better target policy actions to address the complexity of child vulnerability.
Swaziland’s investment in social protection is among the lowest in the SADC region. The current allocation to social protection services in 2017 was below 1 per cent of gross domestic product and 2.5 per cent of total budget expenditures, a decrease from the 2.2 per cent of gross domestic product estimates from 2014. [3] The sector is undergoing reforms aimed at enhancing effective coordination and monitoring in relation to the delivery of comprehensive social protection.
The Government is committed to develop a comprehensive rights-based, inclusive and systemic social protection policy, with due attention to alleviating child poverty and addressing inequities, and social exclusion. UNICEF Swaziland is recruiting a Consultant to provide direct support to the Department of Social Welfare under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO), in cooperation with other key stakeholders and agencies, to develop a national social protection policy.
[1] Swaziland Vulnerability Assessment Committee Results 2017, UNOCHA, 2017
[2] World Bank data: Swaziland, 2016
[3] Human Development Report 2016: Human Development for Everyone, UNDP 2016
[4] Human Development Report 2016: Human Development for Everyone, UNDP 2016
[5] Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2010.
[6] MICS definition (lost one parent), Human Development Report 2016: Human Development for Everyone, UNDP 2016
[7] Child and orphan poverty in Swaziland, UNICEF 2013
[8] Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), 2006-2007.
[9] UNAIDS currently estimates that over 190,000 people are living with HIV.
[10] MICS 2010.
Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative the consultant will support UNICEF Swaziland and the Department of Social Welfare-DPMO, to draft a social protection policy document, which will include design options for an effective HIV-and child-sensitive, equity-focused government social protection programme(s) to facilitate the access of vulnerable children and adolescents to quality services.
Tasks and Deliverables:
The consultant’s work is the following phases, each with specific tasks to be accomplished, and related deliverables to be produced, as indicated below: Key tasks
Deliverable
Timeframe (indicative)
Data collection: Desk Review and analysis of key studies, policies, legislation and other:
Thorough review of key documentation to be information on the situation of children and people in Swaziland. Analyze the current situation of social policies and programmes.
Assess the ground realities of legal frameworks, situational analysis and other related social sector studies.
Assess the resources (human, financial) in existance for the delivery of socail protection system.
Work plan and Inception report.
Desk review
20 days
(inclusive of days in the country)
Conduct stakeholder consultations:
Conduct and provide technical assistance for the holding of consultation workshops at various levels (national, regional, district) with key stakeholders to agree on an outline as well as components of a National Social Protection Policy.
The policy should include, at minimum, sections on (i) the socio-economic context of Swaziland; (ii) legal or policy frameworks (for example, HIV/AIDS policies) which should govern or inform the social protection policy; (iii) the governing principles for social protection in Swaziland (e.g., child-focus, life-cycle approach); (iv) policy priority areas (e.g., HIV) ; (v) institutional arrangements and coordinating bodies; (vi) a full range of policy measures under consideration, including both contributory and non-contributory programmes; (vii) a discussion of financing and fiscal sustainability; and (viii) M&E considerations.
Based on desk review, Consultant should provide evidence-based recommendations to inform moving towards a more holistic system, which comprises of both the cash as well as support services.
Report regularly to the national technical Task Force, for input and contribution towards the Policy. A review mechanism will be established to between consultations, technical working groups, Committee inputs, document presentations and validation, administered by the DSW-DPMO.
Concept paper and associated presentations for consultative process
Outline of the draft national social protection policy
20 days
Drafting of Social Protection Policy
In consultation with the Technical Team, lead the drafting of a social protection policy document (which comprises of both the cash as well as support services). The policy should include an annex outlining components of a National Social Protection Strategy, including a proposed timeline for the development of the strategy.
Work in collaboration with the EU-Consultant, who will inform the costing and fiscal sustainability analysis of proposed social protection activities and strategies.
Draft national social protection policy, based on inputs from stakeholders.
20 days
Finalization and validation:
Facilitate the draft policy validation workshops, as may be determined in consultation with DSW-DPMO.
Develop the revised National Social Protection Policy (for validation).
Facilitate a national validation workshop with national and county level stakeholders to finalize draft social protection policy.
Finalize the revised and edited National Social Protection Policy
The National Social Protection Policy document should be in English.
Final Draft of the National Social Protection Policy, and a PowerPoint Presentation.
Final National Social Protection Policy.
15 days
The Consultant will work 75 days in total from April – October to develop the National Social Protection Policy.
Work relationships:
The Consultant will report to the Deputy Representative and work closely with UNICEF Programme Chiefs. In addition, h/she will collaborate closely with the Director of the Department of Social Welfare for technical guidance and inputs and consult with key officials of the different departments and Ministries. To enable government leadership of the process, a Technical Team will be established, chaired by the Director of Department of Social Welfare, to oversee the process and the consultant will ensure regular consultations with the Technical Team.
The consultant will coordinate with the EU-consultants supporting the social protection system reform and other relevant organizations involved.
Performance will be regularly reviewed throughout the assignment, with formal evaluation being conducted at the end of the Contract.
Outputs/Deliverables:
- Work plan and Inception report.
- Desk review.
- Concept paper and associated presentations for consultative process.
- Draft national social protection policy, based on inputs from stakeholders.
- Final Draft of the National Social Protection Policy, and a PowerPoint Presentation.
- Final National Social Protection Policy.
Payment method
Terms of payment: Scheduled payments payment upon completion of the tasks/activities (deliverables) in the agreed work plan, as following.
- Submission of the work plan and inception report (20%).
- Submission by the consultant, and quality review by UNICEF, of draft policy document. (40%)
- Submission by the consultant, and approval by UNICEF, of the final document (National Social Protection Policy), and PowerPoint presentation (40%)
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
Administrative issues:
The consultant will work remotely with travel to Swaziland (two trips), Internal travel may be required for data collection and consultations with various stakeholders, and will be supported by the UN and DPMO.
The Consultant is expected to work remotely, with provision of his/her own computer and administrative support.
During the periods in which the Consultant is working remotely, conference/skype calls will be held as required.
Conditions:
- The Consultant is expected to travel to Swaziland to conduct part of the assignment. When in Swaziland, and if required, the Consultant will be supported with a work station at the Department of Social Welfare (DPMO).
- The Consultant is expected to work remotely, with provision of his/her own computer and administrative support.
- All travel is by most economical fare and reimbursement as per UNICEF policy.
The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
The Consultant should have the following profile:
Qualification:
- Advanced university degree (Masters of PhD) from an accredited academic institution, in a discipline related to social protection, public economics, public finance management, economics, or public policy.
Experience and competencies:
- A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in in the areas of social protection and related policy reforms areas, including experience in research, policy analysis, policy development, and technical assistance to governments and organizations. Experience developing cash+ programming, particularly with linkages to support and care for people living with HIV/AIDS, would be a strong advantage.
- Proven ability and experience in policy dialogue and policy development with government institutions (and in conducting similar analysis and social protection policy development).
- Track record of publications and reports relating to analysis of social protection sector, social protection policy, strategy, and plan development, etc.
- Proven ability to communicate and work in a multi-cultural environment required.
- Excellent writing and oral skills in English (fluency required) and ability to synthetize complex information.
Evaluation process
The evaluation process will entail the financial and technical evaluation. The technical evaluation, will be based on the following criteria: (i) Relevant background and seniority based on the CV – max points: 50%; and, (ii) Previous experience on similar exercises – max points: 50%. As a part of the technical evaluation, applications are requested to provide recent piece of work.
How to apply
Interested applicants are requested to provide an updated profile; and a lump sum fee for the scope of work outlined, inclusive of travel and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA). Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered.
As a part for the technical evaluation, applications are requested to provide recent piece of work.
Applications to be sent to: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=511606 by 22 March 2018
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.
Remarks:
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Advertised: Mar 15 2018 South Africa Standard Time
Application close: Mar 22 2018 South Africa Standard Time
More Information
- Job City Mbabane, Swaziland
