Coordination Advisor : Social Protection PSCBS Kigali, Rwanda

Terms of Reference - Coordination Advisor: Social Protection

1. Objective of the Assignment

(i) The overall objective of the assignment is to contribute to the strengthening of the policy coordination function within OPM;
(ii) Specifically, the expert will work on inter-ministerial coordination in the area of social protection. The main objective of this assignment will be to: (a) provide analytical and advisory services to the OPM, and key government institutions in the area of social protection, it is expected that the work will contribute to ensuring that policies and programs in the area of social protection are mutually reinforcing; and as a collective, align with the identified policy priorities; (b) enhance the OPM’s ‘in-house’ capacity to design of strategic cross-cutting interventions, in these areas; and (c) where necessary, to support key government institutions, including the Ministries of Education, Local Government, Youth, Gender and Family Promotion, Agriculture and Health amongst others; in identifying and unblocking implementation related bottlenecks.

2. Scope of Work

The position is intended to directly contribute to the deepening of integration between and within, programs and policies, in the area of social protection.

The expert will collaborate closely with GACU personnel and will mentor government personnel working on the coordination of social protection related and supporting projects, programs and policies. The advisory services shall include but not be limited to the following key tasks:

(i) Contribute to strengthening coordination in the design and implementation of social protection focused strategies, programs and policies, in support of government priorities. In this regard, the expert will be required to periodically review and where need be, prepare assessments, highlighting potential strategic complementarities between planned and ongoing projects, policies and programmes in this area;
(ii) Contribute to the institutionalization of policy dialogue on issues of social protection, between key Government Institutions including the Ministries of Education; Local Government; Youth; Gender and Family Promotion; Agriculture and Health and other key stakeholders;
(iii) Advise the OPM on emerging inter-ministerial policy coordination challenges around social protection and related initiatives, potentially requiring further attention by OPM senior leadership;
(iv) The Coordination Adviser will perform any other similar or related duties and assignments requested by OPM senior leadership.

4. Key Expected Outcomes

- Policy coordination and dialogue in the area of social protection between the Ministries of: Local Government; Education, Youth; Gender and Family Promotion; Agriculture and Health and other key stakeholders strengthened;
- Networks and strategic partnerships between key GoR institutions and key civil society, development and private sector partners strengthened;
- Capacity of key OPM staff in supporting effective policy coordination in the area of social protection strengthened.

5. Duration of the Assignment.

The post is project funded and will be hired on a full time basis for an initial period of nine months with a possibility of renewal, subject to performance and availability of funds.

6. Competencies, Experience and Education required.

Core Competencies:

• Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning: Shares knowledge across the organization and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning
• Coaching and Mentoring: Helps Builds staff competence, creates and helps foster an environment of creativity and innovation
• Teamwork: Proactively supports the building of effective teams
• Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements: Leverages conflict in the interests of the organization & setting standards

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to provide substantive sector level coordination support, drawing from a wide base of relevant experience;
• Knowledge of project and program management approaches and policy development;
• Ability to analyze impacts of policy measures in the areas of social protection, put in place by the government;
• Ability to monitor and evaluate impacts of government policies and programs in the social protection focused programs and policies;
• Solid grasp of Results Based Management;
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication and presentation skills.

Education

• Masters degree or PhD in the area of economics, social policy and planning, public policy or related disciplines.

Experience:

• Over 10 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, implementation, management, research, analysis and evaluation of social protection programs, including social cash transfer programs in developing countries, some of which should, preferably be in sub-Saharan Africa
Experience in policy development, advocacy and social mobilization is also essential.

7. Language Requirements:

Excellent written and oral proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

8. Key Deliverables:

- Work plan to be submitted 2 weeks after the contract signature detailing the approach, methodology and activities to be undertaken;
- Periodic progress reports on coordination related challenges in the implementation of key government programs in social protection and related areas;
- Reports on the implications of selected, existing and planned government policies and programs on social protection focused initiatives;
- Forward looking assessments and proposals identifying opportunities for strengthening existing coordination mechanisms in the area of social protection;
- Final report detailing out achievements and lessons learned.

Reference: PSCBS494

Application deadline: 6 days 8 hours 2 minutes

I. Background to the Assignments

Ensuring policy coherence through the effective coordination of government policies and programs lies at the core of the mandate of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Given the significant and growing number of Government policies, programs and public bodies working on their implementation, there are legitimate concerns that a lack of policy coherence may result in high transaction costs, potentially impeding the achievement of key government objectives. There is a need to have a clear approach and institutional framework through which to both systematically monitor policy coherence and oversee the identification and implementation of corrective measures.
As a means of contributing to a ‘step-change’ in the quality of the upstream policy advisory services, currently at the disposal of the OPM, a Prime Minister’s Office Support Team (PST) is being established within the Office of the Prime Minister. The objective of the PST will be to support the production of world class, integrated and strategic advice on sector level policy coordination and coherence issues and their implications on government programs. Reinforcing the OPM in this way, is ultimately intended to ensure that the senior OPM leadership is provided with independent, quality, timely and evidence- based advice, supporting its strategic-level oversight and management of government ministries.
The PST will comprise of five staff including: an institutional development adviser who will also serve as PST team leader, three advisers who will be tasked with providing substantive advisory support on policy coherence issues, in a variety of thematic areas. The team will also have an evaluation adviser who will work on upgrading this function within the OPM.

Key OPM staff engaged in sector level policy coordination will work hand in hand with the experts to support the development and strengthening of sector-level policy and institutional coordination arrangements.
It is against this background that the OPM with the support from the UNDP is sourcing the services of a number of international experts listed below:

A. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISER & TEAM LEADER, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE SUPPORT TEAM (PST)
B. COORDINATION ADVISER: AGRO-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
C. COORDINATION ADVISER: SOCIAL PROTECTION
D. COORDINATION ADVISER: INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
E. EVALUATION ADVISER

Method of Application:

Electronic applications must be sent to pst-recruitment@pscbs.gov.rw. Applications must include: a cover letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) and scanned copies of relevant educational and professional certificates. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Adverts shall also be posted on OPM website www.primature.gov.rw on PSCBS website www.pscbs.gov.rw and DG market www.market.gov.rw. The deadline for submission is fixed on 19th October 2012.

Please note that short listed candidates will be contacted.

Stella Ford MUGABO
Executive Secretary- PSCBS

For More Information:
http://main.pscbs.gov.rw/node/494