Consultants - CDGP Costing of Programme Implementation Options at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: CDGP Costing of Programme Implementation Options in Jigawa and Zamfara

Locations: Jigawa and Zamfara

Description
SCI and ACF have been contracted by DFID to implement a large-scale social protection programme in Northern Nigeria, the Child Development Grant Programme (CDGP). CDGP provides an unconditional cash transfer of 3,500 NGN (approximately £14) per month to pregnant women and women with children under the age of two (2) in Zamfara and Jigawa accompanied by behavioural change communication, to tackle poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. The programme is being implemented in two states of Northern Nigeria, Jigawa and Zamfara, with close collaboration and involvement of state governments. The programme is aimed at reducing the prevalence of stunting and improving food security. There are 4 key outputs of the programme:

• Output 1: Design and delivery a secure payments mechanism providing regular, timely cash transfers to pregnant women and women with under-2s.
• Output 2: Effective system for mobilisation, targeting and complementary interventions.
• Output 3: Enhanced government capacities for managing cash transfers in focus States.
• Output 4: Evidence of cash transfer modalities and impacts provided to policymakers and practitioners at State and Federal levels.

Objectives and Overview of Consultancy

• In order for State Governments to commit to the programme transitioning from Save the Children implementation and DFID funding to government adoption and roll out, there must be a clear analysis of the cost of implementing the programme.
• The CDGP proposes to outline the costs to implement the programme in the current implementation sites, control communities and across the targeted States of Jigawa and Zamfara.

The purpose and ultimate aim of the costing exercise is to:

• To provide the 2 State governments with clear costing options so that they can plan and budget for the transition of the CDGP to government implementation.
• Develop a context specific costing tool that allows policy makers to estimate the costs of implementing different social protection options given certain preferences, and budgetary and financing constraints
• To help support policy decisions regarding selection, modification and investment in social protection programmes by providing reasonable estimates of programme costs.

Methodology/Activities
This consultancy will be carried out by one international consultant and one national consultant. The consultant will work in collaboration with lead government stakeholders, SC TA from UK and the CDGP Social Protection advisor using the following suggested methodology which is open for review;

Stage 1 - Review of Programme Documents:

• The International consultant will review programme documents to understand current programme costing.

Stage 2 - Developing Tools and Reviewing Methodology:

• The International consultant will work in collaboration with lead government stakeholders, the international TA and the programme advisors to review the methodology and develop and refine tools.  This group will make up the core costing team led by the International consultant.

Stage 3 - Engage Stakeholders :

• The International consultant, with support from the lead government stakeholders, will engage more widely with State government stakeholders to agree on the options to be costed and sensitize on process.

Stage 4 - Analyze the data and cost the programme options and Produce Report:

• Analyse the data using developed tools and provide costs for the 3 programme options.

Deliverables:

• The lead consultant is to submit a costing report which provides the annual costs of implementing the 3 programme options: Cost of implementing programme in current villages villages plus control villages and lastly across each state.

Qualifications of consultant
The consultant(s) will have the following skills mix/experience:

• A sound understanding and experience in costing social protection programmes.
• A sound understanding in the Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent writing skills

Location and Duration:

• Location of assignment: Abuja, Zamfara and Jigawa
• Total Person Days technical input: 15

Application Closing Date
16th November, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online