Shock Responsive Social Protection Advisor

Can you provide technical advice on Shock Responsive Social Protection?

Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been present in Eurasia for more than 20 years and is currently active in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, DPRK, Myanmar, Nepal, South Caucasus and Ukraine with approximately 20 expatriate staff in the region. We emphasize strengthening of partner organisations and their integrity, transparency, autonomy and sustainable volunteer structures as conditions for building sustainable operational capacity. The Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) Advisor is a member of the Nepal Country Consortium team under DRC as Lead Agency of the country consortium with American Red Cross, British Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross.

The overall purpose of the Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) Advisor is to provide technical support to the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the consortium team working in close collaboration with the NRCS, project partners and the relevant Government institutions, in the successful implementation of the ECHO-funded project “Forecast-based Action and Shock Responsive Social Protection in Province 5 and Sudhur Paschim, Nepal (FbA-SRSP)” in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion. The SRSP advisor will work closely with the Red Cross Climate Center (RCCC) Advisors and be a member of the DRC Climate Change and FbA community, including DRC FbA extended matrix.

Responsibilities

The SRSP Advisor refers to the Head of Programmes and will work closely with the ECHO Programme Manager (PM) in Nepal and the RC Climate Centre. Her/his main areas of responsibility are:

• Programme technical support (40%)
• Partnership and capacity development (45%)
• Financial management and compliance (5%)
• Representation (5%)
• FbA Matrix (5%)

Expected key results:

• Programme objective and outputs realised as described in the programme documents and agreed with Head of Programmes and ECHO PM.
• Capacities of NRCS in Social Protection (SP), Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) and Cash-transfer programming (CTP) strengthened as agreed with NRCS, Head of Programmes and ECHO PM.

• Partnership with the NRCS and partners strengthened in line with country and international strategic priorities.

• Contributed to Consortium Country Office achievement of results as formulated in the coming Country Consortium Strategy.

• Contributed to overall Consortium Lead Agency and Consortium partners learning and innovation in relation to SRSP and CTP.

• Contributed to overall DRC FbA learning and innovation.

The main tasks include:

• Provide oversight and guidance for the assigned projects (with main focus on the FbA-SRSP project) to ensure the technical support and quality of the activities related to SP and SRSP.
• Monitor the progress and quality of activities related to SP/SRSP, including frequent field visits to programme sites with NRCS counterparts and provide structured feedback in a way that can improve programmes’ progress, sustainability and impact.
• In coordination with RCCC provide technical assistance and advice to NRCS on technical matters, and pro-actively build excellent team working relationships. Actively build the technical capacity of NRCS staff and volunteers in relation to SP/SRSP/CTP.
• Work closely, together with NRCS, with the Government entities responsible for Social protection and other in-country organizations working in the same field.
• Support NRCS to lead advocacy efforts (through facilitation of trainings, workshops, orientations, etc) at all levels of the government to secure buy in of the project.
• In close coordination with RCCC Advisors, conduct/support studies and/or research as per the project document, in close consultation with NRCS senior management.
• Ensure quality and integrity of implementation, including adherence to relevant professional standards, technical guidelines, administrative systems, etc.
• Provide technical support to NRCS to develop guidelines, SOPs and plans related to SP/CTP actions and monitor that the pre-determined SP/CTP actions are matching the triggers and if necessary, make sure that updates are carried out regularly.
• Provide technical support to NRCS counterpart in development of the necessary technical training contents and materials for the formal and informal training of staff and volunteers of NRCS HQ, DC and communities in SP/SRSP/CTP.
• Assist NRCS to capture learning from the project in SP, SRSP and CTP to adjust/harmonize its various related components, processes and structures at HQ and District Chapters’ level.
• Liaise with relevant Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) stakeholders, ensuring that they are informed and engaged, as needed, and linkages are made with other ongoing RCRC projects including SRSP in the region, so project activities are mutually benefiting and collaborative where relevant.
• Coordinate closely with the Regional FAO-IT led ECHO Action on Scaling up Forecast-based Financing (FbF)/EWEA and SRSP and adapt (if relevant and feasible) tools developed by that Action i.e. the curriculum for advocacy and awareness raising of ASEAN.
• With the assistance of NRCS counterparts and in coordination with the ECHO PM, develop timely quality narrative progress programme and monitoring reports as per consortium lead agency and donor requirements.
• Contribute to ensure compliance in financial reports and supporting documentation for donors are prepared as outlined in funding agreements.
• Represent the project and the Country consortium in relevant technical meetings and workshops on SRSP nationally and internationally.
• Contribute to overall DRC FBA learning and innovation as member of the DRC FbA extended matrix.

Required experience and qualifications

You have a relevant academic background, e.g. Master’s degree in international development, disaster management, social protection, social science, political science/policy, public administration, or another relevant field, with:

• Demonstrated experience of working on Social Protection programmes, shock responsive social protection policy and programming; humanitarian cash programming, humanitarian systems, and linkages with social protection systems (understanding of political economy of linking humanitarian cash with social protection).
• Proven experience in development and maintenance of partnerships and in establishing contacts and liaising with partner organisations/companies.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research and synthesizing research findings is an asset.
• Strong leadership, team player with good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Able to communicate and negotiate clearly, effectively and appropriately with internal and external stakeholders
• Able to present information and ideas effectively
• Able to translate results of primary research and evidence reviews into policy recommendations
• Able to prioritize, meet deadlines, and achieve results through collaboration
• Demonstrated ability to adapt and work effectively in dynamic and demanding operational environment and sometimes under pressure
• Ability to facilitate participatory approaches and methodologies with cross-cultural and diverse teams
• Self-management, high level of personal efficiency, and the ability to balance multiple urgent or important tasks without undue stress
• Willingness and ability to cope with frequent off-road travels and to work in an environment with power, transportation and communication challenges
• Results oriented, patience and cultural sensitivity skills
• Full proficiency in English speaking and writing is a requirement
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an asset
• Experience working on Forecast-based Financing (FbF) or anticipatory humanitarian action is an asset
• Possession of a valid international driving licence

Employment Conditions

The starting date is asap. The contract period is 1 year. The duty station is Kathmandu, Nepal. The position is a non-family position. Frequent travel to the programme areas is required.

Further information is available in the job description. For more information on the position, please contact DRC Head of Programmes, Silvia Crespo, on [email protected]

The deadline for applying for the position is 13 December. Interviews are expected to be concluded before Christmas.