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National social protection consultant to support preparedness of the national social protection in Romania to shocks (Home-Based), 50 working days, Bucharest,Romania

Apply now Job no: 576404
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Bucharest
Level: Consultancy
Location: Romania
Categories: Social Policy

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. 

For every child, protection.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:
In a context where the number, severity, complexity, and duration of crises have been on the rise and overburdening national and humanitarian response systems, the potential role of social protection in addressing the needs of shock-affected population is increasingly recognized. Since it is now widely recognised that poor people are more vulnerable and most affected by shock events with long-lasting negative impacts (Hallegatte et al., 2017), routine poverty-targeted social protection programmes are effective in support and resilience building. Moreover, social protection systems can be leveraged during emergencies with potential for a quicker, more predictable, sustainable, and efficient response (O’Brien et al, 2018; OPM, 2017).
 
As other countries in the Europe and Central Asia region, Romania is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially earthquakes, floods, droughts, and extreme weather, as well as to displacements due to political conflicts. Moreover, the country has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the cost-of-living crisis, which have tested the resilience of its economy and exacerbated the structural vulnerabilities, especially in terms of poverty and disparities in economic opportunity. The level of maturity of national social protection systems in the region makes the use social protection programmes or their underlying institutions and systems a relevant option for national governments and their partners for a more rapid, cost-effective, inclusive, and harmonized response to meet needs of those affected by such shocks.
The World Bank and UNICEF in Romania commissioned two complementary assessments of the national social protection system in 2023. The purpose of the assessments was to review the capacity of Romania’s social protection system to prevent, reduce and respond adequately to disaster-related shocks, and map cash assistance programmes targeted at Romanian residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and at the population displaced by the war in Ukraine. The assessment reports provided policy recommendations to make the national social protection system in Romania adaptive and responsive to shocks and promote a more predictable, sustainable, and efficient response during crises. Policy recommendations covered three major areas of technical support to the national systems in Romania:
 
     • Enhancing policy coherence, institutional capacity, and cross-sector collaboration
     • Enhancing social protection and disaster risk data management
     • Enhancing social protection programmes and delivery systems
 
The assessment reports can be accessed here:

Overall, it was recommended that all financial support programmes (regular and temporary) to people affected by shocks are delivered using social protection system’s administrative/delivery channels and the regular social protection benefit programmes are made disaster sensitive and shock responsive. In the event the social protection system is not ready to immediately enrol the population affected by shocks, e.g., in case of a large scale crisis, maximum efforts must be exerted to piggyback on social protection systems by using the social protection data management systems, delivering emergency support through existing social assistance and social security payment systems and using the socialprotection information management systems to register additional beneficiaries of emergency response programme and enable coordination/data sharing with other sector information management systems.

UNICEF and the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity agreed to follow-up on policy recommendations of the recent assessments and to undertake measures for strengthening the national social protection system’s preparedness and adaptability to shocks.
To support the above, UNICEF will contract a team of consultants who will work together to provide technical support to the government: a) an international consultant with solid experience and profound knowledge on pre-arranged financing for disasters and shock-responsive social protection as a team leader; b) a national consultant on social protection and c) a national consultant on public finance. The consultants will fulfil their part of the general scope of the technical support to the government that is framed according to the three common objectives:
 
Objective 1. Preparing the groundwork for using the national social protection system in situations of covariate shocks.
Objective 2. Supporting expansion of existing social protection benefits in situations of covariate shocks.
Objective 3. Supporting the use of the Emergency Aid programme in situations of covariate shocks.
 
The technical support assignment focuses on social protection system strengthening and on promoting the use of social protection system in situations of covariate shocks. The assignment is driven by the fact that Romania has a mature social protection system and has the experience of using the national social protection system in emergency situations. Considering the above, the assignment will support key stakeholders in Romania in generating evidence on existing gaps and in implementing measures to provide cash assistance to the population affected by shocks through the national social protection system.
 
Overall, the idea is two-fold: a) supporting vertical expansion - the top-ups (one-off or regular), temporary increased duration of programmes or increased frequency of payments of the selected social protection benefit programmes; and b) supporting expansion of the existing Emergency Aid programme to cover the needs of people affected by covariate shocks, those who are not enrolled in the existing social protection programmes.
 
The assignment will be organized under the supervision of UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity (MLSS) and other stakeholders, including the Department on Emergency Situations (DSU) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of European Investments and Projects, the World Bank, other UN and humanitarian agencies, and civil society organizations.
 
This term of reference describes the scope of work for the national social protection consultant who is expected to implement the following activities within the general objectives of the technical support.
 
Objective 1. Preparing the groundwork for using the national social protection system in situations of covariate shocks.
 
The national social protection expert will support evidence generation, stakeholder consultation and the preparation of policy and legal documents for using the national protection system in situations of covariate shocks. In particular, the consultant will fulfill the following tasks:
  • Undertake a desk review and consult with relevant government institutions, such as the Prime Minister’s Office, the MLSS, the DSU and other stakeholders to discuss and conclude on the types of covariate shocks that can trigger the national social protection system’s response. The following questions can be considered:
    • What are the major types of shocks i.e. economic, political, social, environmental, climate-induced etc. that are affecting or can affect the population in Romania in the future?
    • What is the country's underlying poverty trend and the nature of vulnerability, including how these relate to vulnerability to shocks? Which population groups (including children) are most likely to be affected by shocks?
    • What are the characteristics of the shocks that the social protection system will aim to address? E.g., earthquake, drought.
    • What are the pre-conditions for the national social protection system response in the situation of shocks? E.g., functioning financial service providers, availability of markets etc.
    • What are the forecast scenarios for the major risks and hazards the country may face in the future?
  • Consult with key stakeholders and facilitate their decision-making on the types of social protection benefits (e.g., the Minimum Income Inclusion Programme, the Sate Allowance for Children, disability benefit, unemployment benefit etc.) to be used for delivering cash assistance to the population affected by the selected types of shocks.
  • Review the existing procedures of vulnerability assessment during emergencies undertaken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its subordinate institutions and/or local governments. Propose recommendations and data sharing protocols between emergency authorities/local governments and the MLSS to enable a) the MLSS to make decisions about vertical expansion of social protection benefits to those affected by covariate shocks and b) the MLSS to deliver cash assistance to shock-affected populations via the Emergency Aid programme.
  • Review the existing horizontal (inter-ministerial) and vertical (national - local level) coordination mechanisms and suggest new/amended coordination protocols both at horizontal and vertical levels to support the usage of social protection system in situations of covariate shocks.
  • Prepare a draft a government decision/ordinance text that triggers the usage of social protection benefit system for delivering cash assistance to shock-affected population.
  • Review the existing social protection communication, outreach and grievance redress mechanisms and suggest recommendations for adapting them in situations of covariate shocks.
Objective 2. Supporting expansion of existing social protection benefits in situations of covariate shocks.
 
Beneficiaries of existing social protection programmes can receive additional cash support via vertical expansion - the top-ups (one-off or regular), temporary increased duration of programmes or increased frequency of payments, to address their newly emerged needs in emergency situations. For this to happen, the social protection expert is expected to fulfil the following tasks:
 
  • Review the legislative framework of the selected social benefit programmes and support amendments to reflect vertical expansion of the selected benefit programmes in situations of covariate shocks.
  • Suggest and formalize the adjustments in communication, monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms of selected social benefit programmes adapting them to situations of covariate shocks.
Objective 3. Preparing the groundwork for making the Emergency Aid programme responsive to covariate shocks.
 
The only social assistance programme purposively designed for shock response is the Emergency Aid programme, a one-off lump sum on demand allowance for exceptional circumstances. The Emergency Aid is granted to individuals and families in situations of need due to natural disasters, fires, accidents, or other serious health affecting events or other circumstances that may lead to the risk of poverty or social exclusion. The Emergency Aid is managed at both local and central level. The support might be granted from the state budget at the proposal of the MLSS or from local authorities through the local budget. While currently mostly applied in response to idiosyncratic shocks, the Emergency Aid programme has the potential to support larger population in case of covariate shocks.
The difference in the approach of vertical expansion of existing social protection benefit programmes and using the Emergency Aid is that the Emergency Aid can cover the population affected by shocks who are not enrolled in the social protection benefit programmes. The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
  • Review the legislation and existing operating procedures of the Emergency Aid programme, in particular the a) vulnerability assessment and registration procedure; b) the transfer value, and its establishment procedures; and d) monitoring, reporting and grievance redress mechanisms. This will cover both national and sub-national level roles and responsibilities.
  • Propose amendments in the legislation and in operating procedures for using the Emergency Aid in selected situations of covariate shocks.
  • Suggest and formalize the adjustments in monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms of selected social benefit programmes adapting them to situations of covariate shocks.
Within this assignment, under coordination of UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist and in cooperation with national social protection consultant and international consultant, the public finance consultant should liaise with all relevant stakeholders who relate to the national social protection system and with emergency response in Romania. The consultant will present the draft assignment deliverables to the MLSS, and the inter-agency technical task force established by the government.
It is suggested that both primary and secondary data collection methods will be utilized for this assignment. In this respect, the implementing partner is expected to implement at least two data collection tools – desk review & data analyses and key informant interviews. If necessary, the implementing partner can propose other tools that are relevant for implementation of the assignment.
Desk review and data analysis:
A rigorous desk review process is expected, covering all existing documentation and data (including those provided by UNICEF) and all relevant legislation, both at national and at EU level. The desk review and data analyses process should serve as a basis for consultations with relevant stakeholders.
a) Collect and compile the documents (legislation, reports, data bases) that are prepared/published by state institutions in Romania, by development organizations and civil society actors, for desk review.
b) Review the documents and databases and reflect the results in a desk-review report which covers the key conclusions and exiting gaps in information.
Key-informant interviews:
 
Key respondents to be approached for primary data collection may include:
  • Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of European Projects and Investments, Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests etc.
  • Sub-national public authorities: county and local governments
The above list is indicative and should be further adapted by the consultant during the assignment. Group interviews may be organized for better coordination among stakeholders.
 
DELIVERABLES
 
Work Assignments Overview Deliverables/Outputs Timeline
Contributing to the inception report to be prepared by the international consultant. Inception Report (maximum 15 pages, in English, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF). 30 November 2024
Preparing the groundwork for using the national social protection system in situations of covariate shocks.
A desk review report with a summary of conclusions and a list of social protection benefits programmes selected by the government for using in situations of shocks (maximum 6 pages, in English, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
-Data sharing protocols between DSU, local governments and MLSS on the population affected by shocks who are enrolled in social protection benefits, for vertical expansion of selected benefit programmes (maximum 5 pages, in Romanian, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
-A document suggesting amendments to the existing coordination protocols/platforms (maximum 4 pages, in Romanian, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
-A draft government decision/ordinance that triggers the usage of social protection system in situations of shocks (1 page, in Romanian, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
-A document with suggested amendments to the communication, outreach, and grievance redress mechanisms (maximum 3 pages, in Romanian, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
 31 January 2025
Supporting expansion of existing social protection benefits in situations of covariate shocks. -A document with proposed amendments in the legislation and operating procedures of the selected social protection benefit programmes (maximum 5 pages, in 
Romanian in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
-A document with proposed changes in communication, monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms (maximum 4 pages, in Romanian, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
 28 February 2025 
Preparing the groundwork for making the Emergency Aid programme responsive to covariate shocks.
- A document with proposed changes in legislative and policy documents of the Emergency Aid programme (maximum 5 pages, in Romanian, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
- A document with proposed changes in monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms (maximum 3 pages, in Romanian, in a Word document, to be sent via email to UNICEF)
 31 March 2025

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Advanced University degree (Master) in public policies, social policies, public administration, social assistance, political science, or a related field.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

  • Minimum 3 years of experience related to social protection system strengthening.
  • Experience in undertaking research/studies, legal reviews, and analyses in the social policy area.
  • Excellent organizational, data collection and data analysis skills.
  • Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
  • Experience in engaging with governments, international organizations, and civil society entities in advocacy efforts.
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives.
  • Familiarity with the UN & EU agenda
  • Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and program is an advantage.
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate complex topics on social protection.
  • Analytical thinking and strategic planning skills, ability to facilitate, consult and negotiate with a broad range of government and non-government partners.
  • Good interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills – publication record on areas related to social protection is a plus.
  • Fluency in Romanian and proficiency in English, including strong report writing and presentation skills are required

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

Advertised: GTB Daylight Time
Deadline: GTB Standard Time

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