BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The GoB has made significant progress in strengthening its safety net system and establishing foundational delivery systems through the Merankabandi National Safety Net Program in the past decade. The Merankabandi National Safety Net Program seeks to improve the welfare of and increase resilience among specific groups to reduce poverty and vulnerability in Burundi. While the Merankabandi program worked to put the foundational elements of traditional Safety Net systems in place, the GoB is now committed to moving beyond cash transfers to an integrated Social Protection (SP) system to enhance the social and Productive inclusion of the poor and vulnerable. While the current achievements of the Merankabandi are impressive, there is room for further development of SP systems to deliver on this commitment.

The Project has been successfully implemented in 4 provinces of Burundi, benefitting over 56,000 households with cash transfers and accompanying measures on human capital development. The Project has set the basis for developing a proper social protection system by developing core delivery systems such as a targeting system, a payment system, an M&E system, a grievance redress mechanism, and a management information system to support the project activities and to report.

The GoB has requested the World Bank to support advancements in three areas: (i) enhancing institutional capacity and SP delivery systems, particularly the development of a Single Registry in the country, as well as to continue improving the efficiency of other delivery mechanisms; (ii) investing in scale-up of the existing nutrition-sensitive safety net, as well as testing customized Productive inclusion models as a complement to the regular cash transfers to improve human capital and self-sufficiency of poor and vulnerable households; and (iii) improving the shock responsiveness of the safety net system by expanding its coverage and strengthening financing arrangements for enhancing households’ resilience and providing timely support to cope with recurrent climate-induced droughts. Subsequently, the Government and the World Bank are preparing the phase II of the Merankabandi project.

The proposed Project would continue in phase 2 in supporting the Government by developing a national safety net for the country that can address structural vulnerabilities, promote livelihoods and economic opportunities, and respond to shocks such as the Covid-19 crisis. The project would scale up at the national level the foundations of a targeted cash-based safety net program that could contribute to poverty alleviation in the short term and investments in human and productive capital for poverty reduction, in the long run, a twin-track contribution to SDG 1.

WFP SUPPORTING SOCIAL PROTECTION IN BURUNDI

WFP is an active partner of the Government in long-term resilience programming to help vulnerable communities to address the impacts of climate change. In striving to reach the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending poverty and hunger by 2030, WFP aims to empower local governments and organizations to be self-reliant in the face of a crisis. As WFP provides an increasing portion of its assistance in cash, it can align with national social protection systems and support Governments in designing, delivering, and enhancing cash-based interventions.

WFP is committed to offering its operational and technical support for the upcoming Social Protection (SP) activities in the framework of the Merankabandi Additional Finance, in line with the GoB’s priorities. Following the Burundi Social Protection Strategy released in February 2021 defining WFP positioning in SP, we held several conversations with the GoB and the WB on WFP support and engagement in the Govt-led SP program Merankabandi. As part of the New ICSP (2022-2024), WFP is committed to working with the World Bank and UNICEF to support the design and implementation of the national social protection program. Leveraging its expertise, WFP will help the development of a single, integrated social registry; a beneficiary information management system that will support gender-responsive targeting; the introduction of elements of a shock responsive system; and nutrition-sensitive programming.  

The priority of WFP involvement in Merankabandi Phase II was identified in three areas. WFP offers to:

Support the Government of Burundi to design and set up the Single Registry in the country. WFP could bring its comparative advantage and expertise in supporting the design phase of the registry while advocating for a registry that can allow for a shock responsive dimension looking at the vulnerabilities in the country.

Support the component on economic inclusion component of Merankabandi. WFP has increasingly used cash transfers to address hunger in Africa. Through mobile phones, e-vouchers delivered by text messaging, and other innovative methods. WFP is planning on engaging in the financial/economic inclusion component of the Merankabandi Phase II. (i) Support inception and program design and (ii) Support Implementation by building the capacity of the Govt; (iii) support the government in leading the implementation. The project will be In line with KfW project Nutrition and Resilience.

Support the scaling up of the cash transfer system. Based on previous discussions with RBN, we will also start circulating some ideas/propositions on how we can support the building/scale-up of the cash transfer system in the country based on WFP’s overall capacity.

To deliver against the above, the Country Office is seeking a Social Protection Programme Policy Officer Consultant I/P3 to design and manage its social protection programs. The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The successful candidate will support WFP’s engagement in designing and implementing the Social Protection program in Burundi as a vital member of the team in Bujumbura, Burundi. The successful candidate would focus on the practical implementation of the ongoing projects and analytical and technical assistance work while working to broaden the engagement with the Government and development partners in-country.  Prior experience or readiness to work in fragile settings will be essential.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

1. Act as the country office social protection focal point, ensuring a clear and substantial connection between the field operations, Regional Bureau and HQ.  
   
2. As a technical expert in Adaptive Social Protection, be a technical expert team member or lead as necessary, technical and advisory work as well as projects in the area of shock-responsive safety nets in other countries if needed.
3. Lead high-level policy dialogue on social protection, youth and jobs, and refugees, focusing on the responsible agencies and line Ministries, Ministries of Finance, and critical sector ministries as needed.
4. Translate corporate and regional policies and strategies pertinent to social protection into country-level practices. Contribute to formulating the Social Protection Policy for Burundi in line with WFP’s corporate and regional policies and procedures on social security and Executive Board decisions and other relevant guidance.
5. Establish and maintain strategic and operational partnerships for complementary and collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve social protection and support related advocacy work within all relevant audiences.
6. Engage in government dialogue on the government’s Social Protection priorities. Assist government counterparts in identifying and analyzing policy problems and provide - or mobilizing - support and technical expertise for the design and delivery of suitable social protection solutions.
7. Strengthen the relationship with UNICEF and the World Bank by leading a dialogue with the two agencies to assure collaboration on the Merankabandi Government project.
8. Lead WFP engagement in the Merankabandi Government project. Ensure high-quality implementation support to the Government implementation team and oversight of risk management issues by working with relevant safeguards experts.
9. Enhance WFP’s leadership status in forums pertinent to social protection.
10. Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of knowledge products or proposals for internal or external use that position and strengthen the credibility of WFP as a partner in social protection. 
11. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources to achieve set social protection objectives within a moderate budget.
12. Advise and support the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage in social protection-relevant policy dialogues, program design, and delivery.
13. Lead, motivate and develop a team of high performers.
14. Other as required

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education

1. Minimum of MSc degree in Development, Economics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or relevant discipline with at least five years of directly relevant work experience in social protection and economic inclusion programs that promote poor households' income-generating capacity and resilience.
   

​​​​​​​Experience 

1. Demonstrated experience with operations and critical aspects of program management and the operational implementation of development programs in the field.
   
2. Demonstrate experience in working with Governments and managing fruitful and extensive collaboration. Ability to maintain client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.
3. Experience with large-scale, multi-sectoral programming and multiple partners, including within low-capacity environments. Previous experience working with the World Bank and UNICEF and a strong understanding of World Bank operations and landing mechanisms are required.
4. Operational solid track record in delivering results in challenging and low-capacity contexts, including program monitoring & evaluation.
5. Strong understanding of social protection policy and adaptive social protection issues, especially related to the ASP building blocks. Previous experience managing Economic Inclusion projects in the region is required.
6. Extensive knowledge of delivery systems and social registries is required. Previous experience in leading the operationalization of government-led social registries is an asset. Comprehensive knowledge of delivery systems and social registries in the region is required.
7. Strong analytical skills and proven ability to conduct policy-relevant research, translate theory into practical applications and adapt professional knowledge and technical skills to analyze, diagnose and propose solutions to policy issues and challenges.
8. Ability to convey analysis in a readily communicable and compelling fashion and often short turnaround times. Demonstrated ability to capture knowledge and communicate main messages in knowledge briefs and policy notes, and PowerPoint presentations for high-level audiences.

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Language & Skills

1. Fluency in French and English (written and verbal) is required.
   
2. Previous experience in working in Africa is required. Previous working experience in Burundi is a plus.
3. Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, judgment, and proven ability to work in a team and an intercultural environment with minimal supervision. Has a proven track record of multi-tasking, managing competing demands, and effectively time-manage tasks.

 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• JOB TITLE:                                  Programme Consultant – Social Protection
  
• TYPE OF CONTRACT:               CST1 Equivalent to P3
• UNIT/DIVISION:                          Social Protection
• DUTY STATION (City, Country): Bujumbura, Burundi
• DURATION:                               11 months
• DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 07 December 2022

Female applicants qualified are highly encouraged to apply