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.
https://www.unicef.org/southsudan/
For every child, our Future
Background/Rationale for the Assignment :
UNICEF SSCO through the Social Policy, Planning, M&E (SPPME) that oversees social protection programmes and Communicate for Development (C4D) team aim to establish a cash-for-work programme leveraging the network of community mobilizers across country, as potential social workforce to support critical life-saving social services including ongoing or upcoming UNICEF supported cash transfer programmes.
The cash-for-work mechanism is a multi-purpose grant (MPGs) or a multi-purpose cash transfer (MCAs) programme targeting and leveraging the community mobilisers within the integrated community mobilization network (ICMN). The regular cash transfer payments will be made based on the level of engagement of the community mobilisers in UNICEF supported programmes as defined by UNICEF SPPME and C4D teams.
The ICMN structure is stratified into community mobilizers, payam supervisors, county supervisors, state supervisors, and reaches the whole country across 10 states with critical and lifesaving information related to different thematic areas such sector including health, WASH, education, child protection and nutrition. A large proportion (20%) of the 2000+ community mobilisers are young people below the age of 30 and from vulnerable communities, therefore, is line UNICEF’s overall youth agenda.
The mainstream channels of communication and mass media is still in infancy in South Sudan. The radio and mobile phone coverage is concentrated in the main urban centres. Therefore, the ICMN through the support of the UNICEF C4D section has been supporting UNICEF sectors to implement various community information and engagement programmes, through social mobilization and awareness interventions focusing on circulating key life-saving messages during various situations and to support campaigns and others outbreaks responses. Below are some key activities delivered through active engagement of community mobilizers during the 2019-2021 UNICEF country programme :
- The community mobilizer works in 250 households at Boma/village level and also accomplishes the tasks assigned by Payam and County supervisors ;
- The community mobilizers conduct health and hygiene awareness sessions at households, marketplaces, health facilities, and water points to create awareness and to promote positive health and hygiene seeking behaviors ;
- Community mobilizers work to increases risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) interventions in their respective areas for minimizing the risks in community for COVID-19 ;
- Community mobilizers supports in data collection exercise of the education sector during the knowledge attitude and practices (KAP) surveys ;
- Community mobilisers facilitates in conducting evidence generation activities such as household surveys, behavioural studies in their assigned areas ;
- Conducts social mobilization activities during the SIAs and diseases outbreak campaigns such as Polio, Measles, Men A and Vit A etc. ;
- Displays Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials which include posters, banners, and flyers on polio vaccination campaigns in all the targeted areas ;
- Mobilize and engage the community religious leaders, village chiefs and other community influencers for all UNICEF supported programs ;
- Community mobilizers visits churches/mosques in order to seek the support of religious institutions to raises awareness on the importance of routine immunization and polio vaccination in their assigned areas.
Through this consultancy, therefore, UNICEF hopes to set up a cash-for-work programme leveraging the ICMN by establishing a functional and systematic payment mechanism for incentives, using Financial Service Providers (FSP) and integrating biometric verification and authentication processes. The cash-for-work programme on ICMN is then to be systematically and strategically embedded and integrated into UNICEF programmes including upcoming cash transfer programmes.
Purpose & Expected Results :
To establish a Cash-for-Work programming targeting community mobilizers, majority whom are young people under the age of 30 in vulnerable communities. The community mobilisers will be engaged in social mobilization and awareness interventions linked to the UNICEF supported programmes. The Consultant will work in collaboration with the Cash Transfer Specialist to provide support in the following areas.
Key tasks :
- Provide technical guidance and develop workplans for the implementation of the cash for work project ;
- Serves as the focal person liaising with C4D officers in 13 Field Offices and where applicable UNICEF implementing partners during the implementation of the cash for work project ;
- Develop a SOPs on the implementation of cash transfer project and ensure the capacity building of state C4D officers ;
- Develop effective systems for registration and payment processes for the community mobilizers across the 10 states ;
- Coordinate with field offices to prepare payment list for every payment cycle ;
- Support in the preparation of contractual documents for contracting of the FSP. (PRQ and TORS) ;
- Set up a feedback and complaints platform for the cash for work beneficiaries ;
- Management of the MIS data base for the Cash for work beneficiaries and also provide data management support to other UNICEF supported cash transfer projects, in collaboration with Cash Specialist, SPPME ;
- Document the progress of community mobilizers engagement and transform these reports to different donor reporting.
Expected Results :
- A functional cash-for-work for programme for community mobilizers to strengthen UNICEF supported programmes in critical social sectors ;
- Potential programme for systematic cash-plus linkages for UNICEF and partner supported cash transfer programmes (e.g. safety nets) ;
- A functional feedback and complaints mechanisms for cash for work beneficiaries ;
- Documented results on cash-for-work programme and visibility products (through PDM reports).
Qualifications and Competencies :
- Advanced university degree in social policy, social protection, public policy or other relevant disciplines. Alternatively, a first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with additional two years professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree ;
- Five years of relevant professional work experience – in particular of designing, implementing and managing gender-sensitive and human rights-based approach social transfers or cash transfer programmes ;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and proven success in facilitating interagency processes achieve a common goal ;
- Experience in data and information management an added advantage ;
- Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner ;
- Developing country work experience – preferably in a humanitarian context ;
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
The duration of the consultancy is for six months starting as soon as possible, tentatively 1 April 2021. The contract can be extended depending on the programme needs and availability of funds.
Deliverables :
- Development of cash for work system for community mobilizers engagement and payment system, fully integrated with biometric mechanism for verification and authentication 1 month (1-30 April 2021) ;
- Development of SOPs to guide the project implementation and capacity building of C4D section and UNICEF sections on the SOP 1 month (1-30 April-2021) ;
- Ensure proper use of CASH transfer payment system and regular updating of the community mobilizers list with biometric systems in close coordination with C4D officers 6 months (April-September 2021) ;
- Production of reference manual and other communication materials to amplify the visibility of the project 6 months (April-September 2021) ;
- Establish and implement a complaint and response mechanism to allow the community mobilizers and community members effectively interact with the programme and that the mechanism is capable to receive and address grievances and provide feedback where needed within acceptable timelines 6 months (April-September 2021) ;
- Working with UNICEF field offices, C4D officer and community mobilizers conduct regular post-distribution monitoring (PDM) 5 months (May-September 2021) ;
- Compile regular project updates on the roll out including lessons learnt, challenges and recommendations for project adjustments, 4 months (May- September 2021) ;
- ToR/Contracts with financial service providers (FSPs) through UNICEF established LTA to ensure that the community mobilizers access and effectively use the transfer service in safe environment and dignified manner, 6 months (April-September 2021) ;
- Ensure reconciliation of payment reports after every payment cycle 6 months (April-September 2021).
Duty station : South Sudan – Juba, with a frequent travel to UNICEF field offices and risk/affected counties
Payment Schedule
Monthly basis upon submission of monthly invoice
UNICEF Supervisor : Chief, Social Policy, PM&E and Chief, C4D; and works closely with Cash Specialist, SPPME
Travel Clause :
- All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply ;
- All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF ;
- The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract ;
- The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized ;
- Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.
Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract :
If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD CONTAIN DETAILED TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
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.
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.