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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, a future.

Context: 

Social protection is a global development priority and a key enabler for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1.3, which calls for inclusive social protection systems. Recognized as a fundamental human right under international frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, social protection is also a national priority in Bhutan, as reflected in the 13th Five-Year Plan.

In 2024, UNICEF supported the Office of the Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination (OCASC) in conducting a Situation Analysis and Landscaping Assessment. This analysis employed a lifecycle approach to identify risks, gaps, and challenges within the social protection system. The report recommends expanding social protection coverage, developing child-sensitive social protection programs, and establishing a proper information system, among other measures. Building on these findings, the next critical step is the development of a National Social Protection Strategy/Framework.

Purpose of Assignment: 

The National Social Protection Strategy/Framework will outline Bhutan's approach to protecting and promoting the well-being of its population, particularly the most vulnerable groups, by ensuring access to essential services and financial support. The primary objective is to assist the Royal Government of Bhutan in developing a harmonized and coordinated social protection system. This strategy will emphasize inclusivity, ensuring that social protection mechanisms are accessible to those most in need. It will also focus on capacity building and resilience enhancement to help individuals, particularly children and families, cope with risks and shocks.

This assignment seeks to engage a highly qualified and experienced professional to lead the formulation of a comprehensive, evidence-based Social Protection Strategy/Framework that addresses systemic gaps, promotes social equity, and ensures sustainable protection for all citizens, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups. The Strategy/Framework will align with the 13th Five-Year Plan priorities on social protection and the SDGs.

The Strategy/Framework will seek to: 

1. Outline a coherent and integrated social protection framework.

2. Ensure comprehensive coverage and effectiveness of social protection programs.

3. Ensure financial sustainability and efficiency in programme delivery.

4. Promote inclusivity, particularly for children, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.

5.  Ensure social protection measures are shock responsive.

6.  Balance traditional values with institutional care. 

Scope of Work:

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Desk Review: Conduct a comprehensive review of the findings from the Situational Analysis and Landscaping Assessment of 2024, government policies, legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and financing options. This review should also include international agreements and commitments on social protection. Additionally, analyze structural barriers and gaps in coverage using a lifecycle approach, as well as issues related to implementation, financing, and coordination of social protection interventions.

2. Facilitate Participatory Consultations: Engage key stakeholders—including government agencies, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and beneficiaries—to ensure a broad and inclusive approach to strategy formulation. These consultations should capture diverse perspectives and foster a shared vision for social protection in Bhutan.

3. Strategy/Framework Development: Design a holistic Social Protection Framework/Strategy using both a lifecycle lens and a pillar lens (social assistance, social insurance, social care, and other interventions). The lifecycle lens ensures a human-centric perspective, promoting equity and resilience "from cradle to grave." The pillar lens focuses on legal and institutional coherence, strengthening cohesion and coordination across the social protection system.  The Strategy/Framework shall include:

• A broad and context-specific definition of social protection in Bhutan, guided by core principles such as rights-based approaches, shock responsiveness, social justice, inclusiveness, social solidarity, empowerment, sustainability, participation, good governance, accountability, and gender-transformative principles.
• Clearly defined long-term vision, medium and short-term goals and strategies, Theory of Change, and a comprehensive results framework.
• Institutional and governance structures, coordination mechanisms, and an implementation framework, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all relevant stakeholders, including social protection delivery mechanisms.
• Identification and recommendations for social protection programs, projects, and activities, including budget estimates/costing for implementation by various agencies.
• Cost-effective and sustainable long-term financing mechanisms, including innovative financing to ensure the strategy's viability.
• Assessment of potential funding sources, including government budgets, donor support, and innovative financing tools.
• A robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress, measure outcomes, and ensure accountability in the implementation of the strategy.
• An implementation roadmap for the strategy.
• Capacity building and technical assistance.
• Risk mitigation strategies.

4. Validation and Finalization: Present the draft Social Protection Strategy/Framework to stakeholders for validation, gather feedback, and incorporate necessary revisions to finalize the document.

Work Assignment Overview: 

Travel and Travel Expenses: 

The consultant will be required to travel to nearby districts (Paro or Punakha) to facilitate workshops and the estimated number of travel days is 5.  The travel cost must be incorporated in the financial proposal.

Payment terms and conditions:

The consultant’s payment terms and conditions are specified below upon certification by Social Policy Specialist, that all deliverables have been submitted satisfactorily and based on incorporation of feedback and invoice. The final payment to the consultant will be made after successful completion of all deliverable and submission of consultancy performance appraisal.

• 10% upon submission and acceptance of the inception note detailing the research methodology and the work plan of the assignment.
• 40% following submission of a solid draft Strategy/Framework and upon endorsement by UNICEF and OCASC.
• 50% following submission of the final Strategy/Framework upon acceptance by UNICEF and OCASC

Reporting Line: 

The consultant with work with the Officials from OCASC and UNICEF Social Policy Team under the leadership and guidance of the Section Chief.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics:

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

Qualification: 

• A minimum of a master’s degree in economics, Social Sciences, International Development, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy or other relevant disciplines.

Experience: 

• At least 5 years working experiences in social protection research, preferably with a focus on Bhutan.
• Must have excellent knowledge and expertise on social protection systems, including social protection policy, strategy, and action plan development.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, as well as advocacy skills.
• Strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Publication record.
• Experience in working within UNICEF or other UN/international entities and/or familiarity with the work of UNICEF is an asset.

Submission of Proposals: 

Proposal should include the following:

• Consultant’s qualification and experience with detailed CV.
• Approach and methodology that will be followed in executing the assignment. 
• A lump sum fee in local currency indicating a breakdown of professional fee for the anticipated number of working days, including fee for travel, which is estimated for 5 days.
• Name(s) of collaborator(s) with CVs (if applicable) with their full curriculum vitae
• Reference to similar work (final products or links to previous work can be shared along with the proposal).

Remarks: 

1. The candidates must submit the financial proposal along with the technical proposals.  
2. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.