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How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

There is increasing recognition of the importance of strengthening social protection across the humanitarian-development nexus. Shocks and disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, driven by factors including environmental degradation and climate change, and humanitarian crises are becoming more protracted. With Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 1.3 explicitly calling for the implementation of ‘nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors’ and by 2030 the ‘substantial coverage of the poor and vulnerable’, country and national agendas have increasingly focused on developing social protection programmes to address the life cycle risks of populations. There is a need to change the ‘business as usual’ approach to conceiving and delivering emergency assistance (as short-term, siloed, standalone responses, through parallel systems), and to build links between emergency assistance, disaster risk management and development programming to more effectively address the drivers of crises, build resilience and respond to the needs of populations in crisis prone areas.

Since 2020, the Europe and Central Asia Region (ECAR) has seen a significant uptick in its programming on shock-responsive social protection (SRSP) and the use of humanitarian cash transfers (HCTs). This work has been complemented by growing global evidence and interest by Government, IFIs, and Donors.

Social protection is a promising solution to bridge the humanitarian-development divide due to several factors. Social protection helps households to manage risk and can build the resilience of households that are vulnerable to disasters, preventing a fall into poverty and negative impacts for children. There are also commonalities in the way that emergency assistance (in the form of humanitarian cash transfers) and social protection programmes (in the form of cash-based social transfers) are designed and implemented. While evidence is still emerging, experiences of several countries, including in Kosovo, in developing ‘shock responsive’ national social protection systems, in particular social transfer programmes, suggest that this approach has potential to enhance resilience to disasters, improve response times, reduce costs of delivering emergency assistance, reduce duplications and gaps and improve national capacities to manage disasters. At the same time, as with any programme approach, there will be challenges to address, and trade-offs to consider. The enabling factors and potential barriers in national social protection systems must be well understood, to inform the feasibility of using
these at times of shock and to effectively prepare for these interventions.

Supporting its national partners to develop and strengthen social protection systems to address needs in crisis contexts is a strategic objective for UNICEF. To this end, in 2024, UNICEF conducted the first Readiness Assessment of Shock Responsive Social Protection in Kosovo. The objective of this Readiness Assessment was to: assess the political, technical, operational and financial feasibility, or ‘readiness’, United Nations Children’s Fund of Kosovo’s cash-based social transfer programmes to provide cash assistance to people affected by shocks and disasters; identify opportunities for linkages with UNICEF’s sector strategies and for developing or supporting a ‘cash plus’ approach in emergencies alongside social transfers; identify and compare possible options, for ways that the programmes of interest or their systems can be used to meet needs at times of shock or disaster, including roles for UNICEF. This Assessment identified key gaps and opportunities in leveraging existing social protection programs to enhance their responsiveness to shocks through vertical and horizontal expansions, as well as design adjustments.

Building on the recommendations of the SRSP Readiness Assessment, which were thoroughly validated by local counterparts, UNICEF—working in close collaboration with the World Bank, which is supporting the Social Assistance Reform Project and the development of the new Law on Social Assistance—seeks to support the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers (MFLT) in developing the Kosovo Guideline for SRSP. This Guideline will serve as a key resource for policymakers and practitioners tasked with implementing shock-responsive social protection, and will inform the development of corresponding administrative instructions following the approval of the new Law on Social Assistance by the Parliament, ensuring an effective and coordinated response to future crises.

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, the international consultant will:

• Consultation workshop with key stakeholders

Facilitate a one-day consultation workshop with key stakeholders to introduce basic concepts of SRSP and HCTs, present the main finding of the Readiness Assessment of Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) in Kosovo, and agree on the format and scope of the Kosovo Guideline for SRSP.

• Development of the Kosovo Guideline for SRSP

Upon the request of the MFLT, lead the development of the Kosovo Guideline for SRSP to serve as a foundational document for drafting and adopting SRSP bylaws once the new Law on Social Assistance is enacted. The Guideline for SRSP will build on the recommendations of the SRSP Readiness Assessment and will provide operational guidance on key areas, including:

• Finance – Defining financial sources and mechanisms for funding of SRSP interventions, including contingency planning and emergency financing tools.
• Targeting mechanisms – Establishing criteria and procedures for identifying affected populations, ensuring effective and equitable response measures.
• Data management – Engaging information systems for beneficiary identification, enrollment, and verification to enable rapid response.
• Transfer values – Determining appropriate benefit levels for emergency cash or in-kind support, ensuring adequacy and sustainability.
• Payment and distribution modalities – Outlining efficient mechanisms for delivering financial or material assistance, leveraging digital solutions and financial service providers where feasible.
• Coordination frameworks – Defining roles and responsibilities of government institutions, humanitarian actors, and other stakeholders for a cohesive response.
• Communication strategies – Establishing clear communication channels to inform beneficiaries, coordinate responses, and manage public expectations during crises.
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) – Setting up systems to assess SRSP effectiveness, ensure accountability, and drive continuous improvement.

• Validation of the Guideline for SRSP

Facilitate the local workshops bringing together key stakeholders and practitioners to:

• Review and validate the SRSP Guidance, ensuring it is contextually relevant and actionable.
• Conduct short and targeted training sessions for key government counterparts and practitioners on SRSP principles, implementation mechanisms, and operational considerations.

•  Compilation of Case Studies

Develop a compendium of selected recent examples showcasing where and how shock responsive social protection has been implemented or considered in different contexts. This will provide practical insights and lessons learned to inform Kosovo’s approach.

• Capacity Building on Humanitarian Cash Transfers Provide dedicated technical training on humanitarian cash transfers, ensuring alignment with Kosovo’s social protection programs and emergency response frameworks. The training will target local government institutions and civil society stakeholders from 2-3 municipalities and include:

- Day 1:

o Overview of HCTs
o Introduction to Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in humanitarian action

- Day 2:

o In-depth session on Needs Assessment for HCTs: methodologies, tools, and approaches
o Application of needs assessment to Kosovo’s context
o Reflection and discussion on findings, challenges, and lessons learned.

• Capacity building on Humanitarian Cash Transfers for UNICEF Office Provide technical support to operationalize UNICEF Kosovo’s Humanitarian Cash Transfer (HCT) strategy by developing implementation tools, SOPs, strengthening internal capacities, establishing partnerships, and supporting preparedness measures in line with the recommendations outlined in
  the internal readiness assessment.
• Strengthening UNICEF’s leadership in Social Protection Reform within the UN Kosovo Team Provide technical expertise to position UNICEF as a leading voice within the UN Kosovo Team on social protection reform, by supporting strategic engagement around the Global Accelerator, contributing to inter-agency coordination, informing the policy mapping and roadmap development processes, and aligning UNICEF’s inputs with global best practices and the priorities of the Sustainable Development Framework 2026–2030.

Work Assignments Overview: Facilitate one-day consultation workshop with key stakeholders
Deliverables/Outputs: Agreed format and scope of the Guideline for SRSP among key stakeholders.
Delivery deadline: 15 May 2025 - 2 days

Work Assignments Overview: Develop the Guideline for SRSP
Deliverables/Outputs: Final draft of Guideline for SRSP is available.
Delivery deadline: 30 June 2025 - 25 days

Work Assignments Overview: Develop the Guideline for SRSP
Deliverables/Outputs: Validated draft of the Guideline for SRSP is available following a facilitated workshop with key stakeholders.
Delivery deadline: 15 July 2025 - 10 days

Work Assignments Overview: Compilation of Case Studies
Deliverables/Outputs: Compilation of Case Studies is available and shared with key stakeholders
Delivery deadline: 30 July 2025 - 5 days

Work Assignments Overview: Capacity Building on Humanitarian Cash Transfers
Deliverables/Outputs: Key stakeholders have srengthened their capacities on SRSP and HCT.
Delivery deadline: 30 September 2025 - 8 days

Work Assignments Overview: Capacity building on Humanitarian Cash Transfers for UNICEF Office
Deliverables/Outputs: Internal implementation tools and SOPs developed; relevant staff trained.
Delivery deadline: 31 December 2025 - 10 days

Work Assignments Overview: Strengthening UNICEF’s leadership in Social Protection Reform within the UN Kosovo Team
Deliverables/Outputs: Technical notes, short position and policy papers available on needs basis.
Delivery deadline: 31 December 2025 - 8 days

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

The consultant should meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience on strengthening social protection systems and/or humanitarian cash transfer programming is required;
• Previous work experience in Europe and Central Asia is preferable;
• Experience conducting feasibility assessment in humanitarian cash transfers and/or shock-responsive social protection for the Government, via the UN system engagement, is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking preparedness activities, conducting assessments, facilitating consultation workshops for the design and implementation of emergency cash-based programming, preferably from a multi-sectoral perspective,
• Workshop facilitation skills to be able to make recommendations based on joint consultations, mapped against feasibility and priority for delivering HCTs in Turkmenistan;
• Demonstrated expertise in child-sensitive social protection concepts, theories and practices;
• Familiarity with international norms and standards for humanitarian action;
• Familiarity with the work of UNICEF is a strong asset;
• Fluency in English;

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

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

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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.

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.