Vacancy Announcement

Technical Advisor on Shock-responsive Social Protection(re-advertised) for Social Protection Project (SPP) 

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digitalization and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region. 

The global programme ‘Global Alliances for Social Protection (GASP) supports partner countries in enhancing the capacities of their social protection systems to prepare for and respond to shocks, commonly known as adaptive social protection (ASP) or shock-responsive social protection. Within the framework of the global programme, the Social Protection Project Rwanda (SPP) focuses on strengthening dynamic, inclusive and responsive aspects of the Rwandan social protection system. The project is structured along three interlinked intervention areas: 1) strengthen data based steering capacities for the implementation of a shock-responsive social protection system at national and local levels 2) strengthening the dynamic elements of the social registry 3) supporting the roll-out and operation of the dynamic social registry and digital payments options at local levels. 

Rwanda has recognized the importance of developing a shock-responsive social protection system, as laid out in several national key social protection strategies and guidelines. This is an essential part of development, as without managing covariate and households-level shocks, people will not be able to sustainably graduate out of poverty. The development of such a system calls for very close coordination with the Disaster Risk Management sector, in Rwanda specifically, the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), but also other Ministries.  

GIZ would therefore like to recruit a candidate for the position of Shock-Responsive Social Protection Technical Advisor that will be seconded to and based in the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA). The advisor will report to DG LODA and GIZ. 

Location: Kigali

Fixed Term: until 31^st August 2025, with the possibility to be extended.

Position: 1

Start date: As soon as possible 

The Technical Advisor performs the following responsibilities and tasks:

A. Responsibilities

The Technical Advisor is responsible for:

• Contributing to the further development of a shock-responsive social protection system in Rwanda;
• Contribute to designing, adapting, and modifying existing social protection programs to be responsive to various shocks, such as natural disasters, economic crises, and health emergencies.
• Supporting the coordination between LODA, MINEMA, MINALOC and other relevant Ministries and Agencies to further enhance the shock-responsive system; as well as between external partners;
• Support capacity strengthening for relevant government agencies, local government, and partners on shock-responsive social protection initiatives and practices. 
• Supporting LODA in all technical work linked to shock-responsive social protection; 
• Supporting the director general with the provision of evidence-based analysis that informs strategic influencing and advocacy for a more shock-responsive system.

B. Tasks

The Technical Advisor performs the following tasks:  

1. Technically lead the further development of a shock-responsiveness social protection system

• Support in reviving the shock-responsive social protection Technical Working Group (TWG), technically lead it from LODA´s side and act as the secretariat; This includes convening regular meetings, documenting meetings, coordinating follow-ups and communicating TWG decisions to stakeholders.
• Support and act as technical lead for all activities linked to shock-responsive social protection within LODA.
• Provide technical advice and support towards the development of shock-responsive social protection components in the design of NST 2 and next Sector Strategic Plan, as well as subsequent operationalization.
• Assist in the development and adjustment of current social protection programs to ensure their responsiveness to diverse shocks, including but not limited to natural disasters, economic downturns, and health crises.
• Support in piloting and scale-up of the shock-responsive cash transfer programme; in monitoring shock-responsive cash transfer recipients to prevent economic downturns and further features of poverty.  
• Strengthening linkages to existing emergency response management information systems as well as social protection information systems (e.g., social registry).

2. Ensure coordination and engagement of relevant stakeholders 

• Strengthening the coordination between MINEMA, MINALOC and LODA by ensuring regular exchanges and meetings to enhance collaboration, streamline efforts and align strategies in the effective implementation of shock-responsive social protection activities; This specifically includes regular coordination with the MINEMA focal point for shock-responsive social protection.
• Ensuring coordination with and between external partners working on shock-responsive social protection, such as FCDO, WFP and GIZ, ensuring that their work aligns with LODAs plans and is well coordinated.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with key stakeholders within the Government and from development partners, serving as the key technical point of contact on anything related to shock-responsive social protection.
• Present evidence, learning, progress and programmatic adaptations on shock-responsive social protection towards external stakeholders and audiences through LODA.
• Provide high-level advice to the Director General at LODA on shock-responsive social protection.

3. Other Tasks

• Support the rollout of programmatic adaptations through strengthening the capacity of relevant government agencies, local government, and partners in the implementation of shock-responsive social protection.
• Collaborate with teams at LODA and consult international best practice to ensure the delivery of analysis and evidence, fostering continuous programmatic enhancement that ensures shock-responsive social protection in Rwanda is a leading model within the region and globally.
• Any other tasks as identified by LODA or GIZ linked to shock-responsive social protection.

C. Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience

Qualifications and professional experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Social Protection, Economics, Development Studies or related fields.
• Experience of at least five years in a similar position in public sector or donor organization. 
• Fluent in Kinyarwanda and English, French is an asset. 
• Proven experience in the operationalization of disaster risk reduction and management.
• Good social protection knowledge; General understanding on shock-responsive social protection is an advantage.
• Experience in supporting or managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, especially different government actors.
• Proficiency in basic analytical skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking to support evidence-based programmatic adaptation and advocacy. 
• Sound understanding of the political, economic, social and cultural environment impacting on social protection and livelihoods in Rwanda, including a clear understanding of the relevant Rwandan policies and institutional frameworks.

Other knowledge and additional competences

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships and to communicate well with a variety of people from different institutions and external stakeholders
• Problem solving skills
• Results oriented
• Reliability
• Integrity
• Critical thinking skills
• Teamwork and collaboration skills
• Work ethic
• Project management skills

 Interested candidates should submit their application (motivation letter, updated CV, certificates and references), via our electronic job portal by using the button “apply”; until 15^th February 2024 at 4:00 PM. All attachments should be put together in one PDF file not larger than 2 MB. 

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued - regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation. We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities. 

This includes the provision of reasonable accommodation, if needed, in order to participate in the job application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please let us know, if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to consider, when considering your application. 

Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview.

GIZ Office Rwanda

KN 41 St. / Nr.17, Kiyovu

P.O. Box 59, Kigali,

Rwanda 

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