Consultant - Institutional Capacity Assessment of State Operations Coordinating Units at Save The Children

Purpose

• To undertake an analysis and assessment of the set-up and operations of State Operations Coordinating Units (SOCU).
• To provide recommendations for long and short term institutional capacity strengthening of SOCU.
• To support development of a capacity development strategy for SoCU.

Project and activity codes:

• 4.5-F Strengthen functionality and role  of state coordinating units in coordinating social protection implementation at state level

Context
The Government of Nigeria has prioritized social protection interventions as a key strategy towards reducing poverty and socio-economic vulnerabilities in the population. In line with this, the government in partnership with the World Bank has designed the National Social Safety Net Programme (NASSP); aimed at dedicating national resources to improve the lives of citizens and strengthen the role of social protection in helping to distribute resources more broadly.
 
NASSP involves two components: (i) establishing systems for social safety nets that would serve as a robust platform for effectively targeting and delivering social assistance; and (ii) implementing cash transfers to targeted poor and vulnerable households. The systems developed for social safety net in Nigeria will be used across the country’s different safety net programs, irrespective of funding source or targeted beneficiary group.

Different stakeholders, such as governments, development partners, or civil society, will be able to use the systems for delivering social assistance interventions in Nigeria. To support the use and roll out of these systems at state level, government has set up State Operation Coordinating Units (SOCU’s). The SOCU’s play a critical role in supporting coordination, development and implementation of key systems to support the delivery of social protection programmes. Despite this, a number gaps exist and negatively affect the functionality of the SOCU, including lack of tools, limited technical skills and in-depth understanding of social protection.
 
Objectives
In response to this gaps, the main objective of this consultancy is to:

• Analyse and identify the strengths and weaknesses/gaps, opportunities and threats in technical and institutional capacity of the State Operations Coordinating Units’ (SOCU) to ensure effective and proactive coordination of social protection interventions at the state levels.
• To provide recommendations for the institutional and capacity strengthening of SOCU
• Outline a long-term and sustainable protected area institutional capacity development strategy for Nigeria, identifying major axes of investment in capacity building as well as opportunities, programmes, and products that will enhance the ability of states to meet their commitments under national social safety nets programme.

Scope of work
The assessment will focus on the following areas:

Current programmes/services implemented by the organizations:

• Identify/assess the mode of operation of the SOCUs as it relates to their activities/programmes/services

Technical capacity:

• Knowledge and perceptions about social protection: The relevant experiences and tools that each SOCU has regarding social protection. Describe the level of knowledge and understanding about SP related issues, including the states if (they have), national and international policies, application and enforcement; major challenges and obstacles encountered in the programme in Nigeria.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Describe the level of understanding and experience in design, monitoring and evaluation and reporting projects/programmes, including the NASSCO programme on SP, period 2016-2018.
• Training attendance: Describe any training courses related to social protection that SOCU the concerned staff have attended; if the training were effective and the participants were able to apply what they were trained; knowledge gaps in SP related issues.

Methodology

• The Capacity Needs Assessment should be participatory and consultative. The consultant will conduct the needs assessment using tools developed participatory in partnership with NASSCO, SOCU’s and other critical stakeholders in the sector. It is expected that the assessment through facilitated, will be built around self-assessment processes as well as broad consultation with protected area stakeholders to help collect, and validate information.
• The capacity assessment framework will recognize the multiple dimensions of capacity needed to effectively achieve the target. It will go beyond individual capacity (relevant skills and abilities) to include organizational capacity (governance, administration, Human resources, Financial Management, Organisation, programme management and project performance management, structures, processes, etc.) as well as the broader context and environment within which the organization functions (societal capacity).

Key Deliverables

• An inception report including a work plan, detailed methodology, report format and timeline, to be submitted within 7 days from the commencement of the assignment.
• A tailored-made organisation assessment tool (OCAT) which will be developed, validated and used for the assignment.
• A draft capacity needs assessment consolidated report and draft capacity development strategy addressing at least the following key issues from a region-wide perspective and also where relevant specifically for each of the 4 CDGP 11 focal states and federal:
  • Capacity gaps at the organizational and individual levels in relation to protected area systems and individual protected areas;
  • Current capacity development opportunities in the states, national level and beyond
  • Intuitional Assessment and Validation of State Operating Coordinating Units
  • Specific capacity needs and priorities at the organizational and individual levels in relation to protected area systems and individual protected areas;
  • Recommendations for the most suitable, effective, efficient and affordable modes of capacity development to meet the identified needs.
• Agenda of the validation workshop. - Presentations and participation at the validation workshop as agreed with the NASSCO Office.
• Final capacity needs assessment and capacity development strategy taking into account the results of the validation workshop. The consultant should be aware that the work will be conducted mainly in national languages (consultation, survey, online meetings, etc.).

Timelines
This assignment will be carried out over a total of 25 days, approximately 5 days in Abuja for validation with the stakeholders on validation and engagement of capacity gaps. The table below provides details of key tasks, deliverables and timelines for this assignment. Also the national consultant will participate in workshop for dissemination of key findings and finalising the report for all stakeholders.
 
Tasks : Expected Output/Deliverable - Days:

•  Contract signing : Signed Contract
• Inception meetings and consultations : Inception report - 4 days
• Desk Review and Development of assessment tools : Institutional assessment tools - 4
• Stakeholder Consultation Field Work : Draft Assessment Report - 10
• Review of draft report, Validation workshop : Final institutional Assessment report - 6  days
• Dissemination of findings : Facilitates the exchange of insights, experiences and technical expertise through hosted workshop, peer-to-peer exchanges within the country - 5 Days
• Submission of satisfactory Final report  and documentation : Signoff - 1 Day

Payment Schedule
Payment shall be made based on the payment schedule captured in the table below. The total amounts to be paid will be based on rates approved and agreed between CDGP and the consultant engaged for this assignment.

Payment : Conditions:

• 20% : Upon submission of detailed inception report and schedule for the assignment
• 20% : Upon submission of Organisational and capacity assessment tools and manuals and recommendations for strengthening institutional and operational gaps
• 20% : Submission of satisfactory Final report
• 40% : Upon dissemination of Key findings with all stakeholders (validation and workshops)

Key relationships
The Consultant will work under the supervision of Coordinator of the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) in Abuja and in collaboration with the listed personnel below to finalise the methodology, to collect the data and to facilitate interviews and contacts with key PA stakeholders:

• Save the children (Senior Social Protection specialist)
• Save the children seconded (Systems strengthening specialist)
• NASSCO (Head of National Social Registry)
• State Operations Coordinating Units

Required Skill and Experience

• Advanced degrees in Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related discipline;
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in conducting individual, organisational capacity needs assessments in developing tailored made-training programmes and modules
• At least five (5) years of experience working in organizational development and capacity building in protected areas; Excellent writing and communication skills in English
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse people.