Social Policy Advisor, Expanding Social Protection Programme, Uganda

Maxwell Stamp PLC is recruiting for a Social Policy Advisor to manage the Policy Unit within the Expanding Social Protection programme. The role will involve providing strategic direction, leading or contributing to the following key works-streams in developing a social protection system in Uganda:

Policy dialogue and development

Generating social protection policy-relevant evidence and learning

High level government influencing, media and public communications

Civil society engagement

Institutional development, training and capacity building

The position will be full time for two years, based within the Social Protection Secretariat, within the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in Kampala. The position will commence in February 2013.

About the Expanding Social Protection Programme

Maxwell Stamp is contracted by DFID as the Management Consultant to provide technical assistance to the Government of Uganda to implement the five-year Expanding Social Protection programme.

The purpose of the programme is to embed a national social protection system, including direct income support for the poorest and most vulnerable, as a core element of Ugandas national planning and budgeting processes.

The specific objectives of the programme are summarised in the following four outputs:

Output 1: Increased GoU capacity to develop direct income support policy and implement direct income support

Output 2: Viable policy and fiscal framework for social protection approved

Output 3: Delivery of effective direct income support, through scaleable systems, that generate evidence of feasibility and impact

Output 4: Increased commitment to direct income support

The role of Maxwell Stamp is to provide good quality and timely technical assistance to the Government of Uganda in support of the implementation of the Expanding Social Protection programme.

Key Experience and Competencies Required

The candidate for this role will be a senior consultant with experience and proven track record of working in Africa, or countries experiencing similar issues in social policy development.The candidate must clearly be able to demonstrate the following credentials:

A development practitioner with a relevant social sciences or public policy post graduate degree and at least 15 years experience in social or public policy development and programmes

Good understanding of the political economy of social policy with ability to develop and implement effective influencing strategies

Understanding of government and development partner financing mechanisms

Experience in social protection policy development would be a significant advantage

Proven experience in policy harmonisation, preferably on Social Protection interventions

Ability to lead policy dialogue and a successful track record in advocacy

Experience building capacity of government counterparts, mentoring and training

Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to collaborate with and manage other team members, GoU, service providers and other external collaborators

Candidates who are interested and who satisfy all of the above criteria, should send a copy of their up-to-date CV and a cover letter torecruitment@maxwellstamp.com quoting reference MSP2013H and, referring to the source of the advertisement. The application deadline is 28 February 2013, however applications will be considered on an on-going basis and early submission is recommended. Full terms of reference for the position are available on the MSP website: www.maxwellstamp.com