Maldives: International Consultant for Strengthening Governance Mechanism at Central, Atoll and Island Levels for “Social Protection for All” Programme

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Strengthening Governance Mechanism at Central, Atoll and Island Levels for “Social Protection for All” Programme and to strengthen Community Social Groups

Term of Reference

TOR Reference Number: ToR /2016/09

1.Purpose of assignment & Background

Ministry of Gender and Family (MoGF) is the government machinery mandated to prevent and respond to, issues of children, women, elderly and persons with disabilities. The ministry began the process of decentralizing their functions, through the establishment of the Family and Children Service Centers, in 2007. Currently, there are 19 Family and Children Services Centers (FCSC) in 19 atolls to deliver required services and to implement the mandate of MoGF. In 2016, to further strengthen and increase access to these services at island level the ministry, launched “Social Protection for all”, a program for reaching the most vulnerable groups at island community levels.

The main objective of the program includes:

· Full execution of the MoGF mandate to deliver services to the vulnerable groups

· Study the situation of the vulnerable groups at the community level

· Together with the FCSC design and deliver programs for prevention of abuse and exploitation of these vulnerable groups

· Prevent, report and respond to cases of violence of rights of children, women, elderly people, and persons with disabilities, and cases of domestic Violence, swiftly provide assistance to these Victims in coordination with related sectors.

One of the challenges faced in provision of the social services is the geographical dispersed nature of the country. Coordination between the three levels of governance namely; the central (or national), atoll and island levels had been a challenge. This also creates a challenge in monitoring the quality of services offered at island level. With the launching of the “Social Protection or all” program, the need for stronger coordination and monitoring has become a critical issue for its effective governance.

2.What is the basic project objective to which the consultancy is related

The main objective of the consultant is to:

1-Strengthen the roll-out of the “Social Protection for All” program and the establishment of the Community Social Groups

2- Assist the MoGF to develop and operationalize an effective coordination and monitoring mechanism

3.Duty station: In Male’ based at MoGF for 25 days and work from home for 17 days

4.Travel: Travel to selected islands

5.Major tasks to be accomplished;

1. Desk review and assessment of current status in provision of services to the vulnerable population

2. Development of a governance structure for the “Social Protection for All” program

3. Production of a draft policies incorporating recommendations to address policy gaps from the review into policies for social protection vulnerable groups

4. Monitor and review the CSGs, and provide guidance for strengthening the program and establishment of the CSGs in selected atolls

5. With inputs from MoGF and the National Consultant develop Handbook and training materials for the Community Social Group

6. Develop tools, guidelines and SOPs for monitoring, reporting and coordination of programs at Central, atoll and island level

7. Drafting of the consultancy report with further ares for strengthening

6.Deliverables / End product

Deliverables

Days (Working)

• Situation analysis report

10 days

• Coordination & monitoring framework for ”Social Protection for All” program at central, atoll and island levels

• Report on the policy gaps

• Proposed/draft policies to address the these policy gaps for provision of social protection for the vulnerable groups; children, women, persons with disabilities and the elderly

5 days

• Community Social Group review report on current status with recommendations

• Initiation of CSGs in 02 islands in selected atolls using the revised CSG Guide

10 days

• Community Social Group Handbook

• Reporting framework

• Training materials on selected topics for the Community Social Group

• Guidelines on project development and management

• Training CSGs from 2 selected islands on project development

15 days

• Guidelines for monitoring, reporting and coordination of programs at Central, atoll and island level

• Proposed package of methods and activities, templates and checklists for monitoring

• Consultancy Report covering possible areas for further strengthening

2 days

42 days

Soft and hard copies to be submitted to UNICEF and MoGF. Payments will be disbursed against acceptance of products, and against accepted deliverables and on acknowledgement of the receipt of the deliverables.

· Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required

Academic qualifications:

• A Masters Degree in social sciences or its equivalent

· Knowledge on systems development is desired.

Knowledge, skills and experience:

· Minimum 7 years of work experience in systems development, coordination and monitoring and evaluation.

· Past experience on programming for vulnerable populations

· Sound understanding of human right policies and social protection

· Experience in establishing community based prevention and response mechanism

· Experience in conducting participatory workshops and facilitation skills

Personal competencies:

· Ability to analyze complex information

· Ability to work in intensive work environments

· Ability to keep to tight timelines.

· Strong drive for results.

· Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal relations

· Working with teams of diverse capacities.

Language competencies:

· Proficiency in written and spoken English

Deadline for application is 04^th August 2016

Application with (i) updated CV, (ii) Updated P11 Form and (iii) a proposed (daily) fee in USD should be submitted with the Subject: Strengthening Governance Mechanism at Central, Atoll and Island Levels for “Social Protection for All” Programme and to strengthen Community Social Groups, through the internet link given below on or before the deadline of 04^th August 2016

LINK:

https://goo.gl/9IpK4d

ONLY SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED.**

Those who had applied for this vacancy before, can re-apply through the link.