Consultant (TRANSFORM Coordination Hub and South-South knowledge exchange in the Arab Region)

 

 

 

Terms Of Reference

 

Consultant (TRANSFORM Coordination Hub and South-South knowledge exchange in the Arab Region)

 

1. Background

 

As part of its mandate to further social protection, the UN system support its partners to move towards rights-based and inclusive social protection systems that can drive peace and prosperity in the region. The ILO and UNICEF co-convene the Regional UN Issue-Based Coalition on social protection in the Arab region, which support collaboration and joint engagement of UN agencies involved in the sector. In this context and in collaboration with other UN agencies, both agencies are spearheading the TRANSFORM initiative in MENA since 2021. TRANSFORM is an innovative learning package on the administration of national social protection floors which supports capacity building and leadership development in the social protection sector in the region (for more details on the initiative consult: https://transformsp.org/).

 

The ILO also intends to increasingly promote number south-south and triangular knowledge-sharing on social protection across the arab region, including through the ILO Arab Social Protection Compass initiative.

 

Together with UNICEF Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (MENARO), the ILO Regional Office for the Arab States is currently chairing the TRANSFORM inter-agency Advisory Group (comprising of UNDP, WFP and UN ESCWA) and jointly coordinating its Secretariat (the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub). A Regional Roadmap guides the development and promotion of the initiative from 2024 to 2026 and a regional work plan is consolidated annually to inform its operationalisation.

 

 

1. Purpose

 

The TRANSFORM Coordination Hub is seeking to hire the services of a Consultant who will be responsible for the management and coordination of activities related to the TRANSFORM Hub for the Arab Region, contributing as part of an ILO-UNICEF team to the implementation of the Regional Coordination Hub Work Plan for 2024-2025. The consultant may be supported by other members of Regional Coordination Hub and will have main responsibility for tasks and deliverables related to the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub as detailed below. The consultant will also support the ILO regional social protection team on south-south and triangular knowledge-sharing on social protection, including through the ILO Arab Social Protection Compass initiative.

 

 

1. Scope of Work and Main Tasks

 

The consultant will manage activities detailed within the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub Work Plan 2024-2025 and through this, s/he will ensure Secretariat functions to the TRANSFORM Advisory Group and support to planning and coordination of ILO regional south-south and triangular knowledge-sharing on social protection.

 

The main tasks under the current TRANSFORM Work Plan are listed below and will be further adjusted and determined in coordination with supervisor and the broader inter-agency Advisory Group, upon review of the Work Plan at inception.

 

1. Support Coordination of Advisory Group (20 days)
   • Plan and organise quarterly meetings with the Advisory Group; follow up on decision undertaken and report accordingly;
   • Ensure coordination and Alignment with the TRANSFORM Africa Coordination Hub on matters of common interest (e.g. development of new content, etc);
2. Support Development and Roll-Out of the TRANSFORM Initiatives in the region (40 days)  
   • Provide support to Country Offices from TRANSFORM member agencies in the planning and organisation of TRANSFORM trainings; monitoring of training applications results and consolidated reporting to the Advisory Group;
   • Support and coordinate accreditation process with candidate TRANSFORM MTs; provide support to the organisation and facilitation of TOTs in the region;
   • Support other activities and initiatives envisaged in the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub Work Plan 2024-2025;
3. Support Partnership Building and Resource Mobilisation (20 days)
   • Support visibility and marketing promotion of the initiative within and beyond the Region, through revision and update of communication materials, update of TRANSFORM website and LinkedIn profile, maintenance and expansion of partnerships with relevant institutions and platforms (e.g. sp.org, etc.);
   • Provision of technical inputs in the consolidation of concept notes, project proposals, presentations and support to the organisation and facilitation of relevant promotional events (both in person and on-line); support the advisory group and chairs in the scoping of new approached for cost-recovery for TRANSFORM Regional initiative.
4. Support coordination of other ILO regional activities related to knowledge management and cross-country exchange in the area of social protection (30 days)
   • Organization, planning and coordination of webinars, study tours, country exchange missions, south-south and triangular knowledge-sharing

 

 

1. Main deliverables and timeframe

 

Deliverables

Deadline

1. Revised and updated activity plan for the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub

30th Sep 2024

1. First quarterly report on the implementation of the Transform Hub Work Plan;

30th Dec 2024

1. First report on other regional knowledge management and cross country exchange activities

28th Feb 2025

1. Second quarterly report on the on the implementation of the Transform Hub Work Plan;

31st Mar 2025

1. Second report on other regional knowledge management and cross country exchange activities

31st May 2025

1. Third quarterly report on the on the implementation of the Transform Work Plan;

30th Jun 2025

 

1. Reporting Lines

 

The Consultant will report to the ILO Senior Specialist on Social Security, on behalf of the Arab Region Advisory Group, in close coordination with the UNICEF MENARO social policy advisor as a TRANSFORM-Arab co-chair. S/he will work in close collaboration with other members of the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub and keep regular communication with all members of the TRANSFORM regional advisory group.

 

1. Nature and location of work

 

The consultancy will be remote-base with travel to the Arab Region as needed

 

 

1. Qualifications and Selection Criteria:

 

Education

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field (such as economics, social policy, law, international studies and/or other relevant social sciences field).

 

Experience

• At least three years of relevant professional experience, with thematic emphasis on social protection and/or social policy;
• Experience in coordination roles and project management, including 2 years at the international level. Knowledge and experience in the UN would be an asset;
• Experience in capacity and knowledge development in the field of social policy would be an advantage.
• Experience and knowledge of the development context in the Arab Region would also be an advantage.

 

Languages

• Excellent command of English is required. Knowledge of Arabic and French are considered assets.

 

Competencies

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, in the area of specialization.
• Ability to analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

 

1. Application Process

 

If interested to apply, please send your updated CV, Financial Proposal with proposed daily fee and an example of relevant similar work to pellerano@ilo.org, copying hasrouny@ilo.org by 23st of August 2024