Consultancy for Supporting the Development of the National Social Protection Framework (NSPF) – Nationals only (11 months)

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Objective:

The objective of this consultancy is to support the government of Egypt in drafting the National Social Protection Strategic Framework (NSPF). The Egypt Vision 2030 is to be considered the overarching national strategy. This Social Protection Strategic Framework is designed to operationalize the vision’s social protection outcomes. The framework and action document should offer strategic direction, be action-oriented, and be considered a living document—updated periodically to reflect national priorities.

The NSPF identifies five key strategic priority areas and principles for action. These include:

1. Expanding universal social protection gradually and across the lifecycle, including by providing more effective coverage and adequacy, better integrating social assistance and insurance, and expanding innovative short-term insurance packages.
2. Leveraging social protection for inclusivity and opportunity, especially by creating connections to jobs, ensuring the social protection system is considerate to women’s needs, people with disabilities, and connecting social protection with the care and support economy.
3. Encouraging a risk-informed and resilient approach to social protection, including ways to upgrade the system for making it more prepared and ready to manage crises.
4. Harnessing data and information systems, which is key for improving performance and building and improving data for results. Integrated digital acceleration and linkages, including to maximize the use of existing digital infrastructure and continue the strategic investment in digital delivery systems to enhance efficiency and transparency.
5. Strengthening the financing ecosystem, including identifying financing options to ensure fiscal sustainability of social protection investments.

For research-related pieces, a detailed research protocol (including methodology, implementation, ethical considerations, etc.) is to be developed. Ideally one research protocol is developed for all components.

Phase 1: Planning and Inception

• Review of foundational documents, including vision paper and social protection diagnostics reports.
• Development of the NSPF methodology and roadmap including timelines, responsibilities, and outputs.

Phase 2: Mapping and Data Collection

• Standardized mapping questionnaire for key ministries, government entities and stakeholders.
• Review of policy documents, budgets, and digital systems across entities.
• Data consolidation and synthesis.

Phase 3. National Consultation Process

• Government, development partners and stakeholder consultations (five consultations).
• Ministerial-Level Consultation (one consultation).
• CSOs, academics and private sector consultation (one consultation).
• Technical Bilateral Consultations (10-15 bilateral consultations).

Phase 4. Drafting process of the framework

• Develop the draft National Social Protection Framework, guided by inputs from the consultation phase.
• Integrate feedback from technical stakeholders and validate the draft through a high-level workshop.
• Finalize and prepare the framework for endorsement, including summary versions.

Phase 5. Action plan and costing

• Develop a detailed and costed action plan.
• Identify short-, medium-, and long-term priorities, responsible entities, financing sources, and key performance indicators.
• Final validation of the action plan through inter-ministerial consultations and integration into national planning and budgeting cycles.

Methodology:

The consultant will ensure close coordination with MoSS and other relevant stakeholders throughout the process. The development of Egypt’s National Social Protection Framework (NSPF) will follow a participatory, evidence-informed, and government-led process. The consultant will adopt an inclusive methodology anchored in the principles of national ownership, cross-sectoral integration, and alignment with Egypt Vision 2030 and international social protection commitments.

The consultant will be expected to apply the following methodological steps, including, Strategic Planning and Process Design, Evidence Review and Mapping, Design and Facilitation of National Consultations, Drafting of the Framework and Strategic Alignment, Costed Action Plan Development and Final Validation and Endorsement Support.

ACTIVITIES, DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES, PLUS BUDGET PER DELIVERABLE:

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

ESTIMATED DURATION TO COMPLETE[1]

PAYMENT

1. Planning and Inception

Deliverables

• Desk review of foundational documents, including vision paper and social protection diagnostics reports
• Development of a strategy methodology and roadmap including timelines, responsibilities, and outputs

Within 1 month from contract start

June 2025

Payments will be processed in line with the deliverables payment schedule provided below.

1. Mapping and Data Collection

Deliverables

• Standardized mapping questionnaire for key ministries, government entities and stakeholders
• Review of policy documents, budgets, and digital systems across entities
• Data consolidation and synthesis into a mapping matrix

Within 1 month from contract start

June 2025

1. Drafting process of the framework

Deliverables

• Develop the draft National Social Protection Framework, guided by inputs from the consultation phase
• Integrate feedback from technical stakeholders and validate the draft through a high-level workshop
• Finalize and prepare the framework for endorsement, including summary versions

By end of July 2025

1. Action plan and costing

Deliverables

• Develop a detailed and costed action plan
• Identify short-, medium-, and long-term priorities, responsible entities, financing sources, and key performance indicators
• Final validation of the action plan through inter-ministerial consultations and integration into national planning and budgeting cycles

April 2026

Proposed Payment Schedule:

Deliverable

Proportion of contract total value

Submission of the Methodology for the development of the strategic framework including data collection tools

15% of total contract value

Submission of a consolidated summary report of the national consultation process as detailed in the deliverables table above

20% of total contract value

Submission of the draft National Social Protection Framework, guided by inputs from the consultation phase

20% of total contract value

Submission of the final framework for endorsement, after integrating feedback from technical stakeholders and validating the draft through a high-level workshop including summary versions

20% of total contract value

Submission of a draft costed action plan, as detailed in the table above

15% of total contract value

Submission of the final costed action plan

10% of total contract value

Conditions of work:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Social Policy Specialist within the SPCRM Section at UNICEF Egypt. The consultant’s work will be carried out in close partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS), which leads the development and national ownership of the National Social Protection Framework (NSPF).

The consultant will also work in close collaboration with other UN agencies, the World Bank, and a broad range of development partners, as part of a coordinated and participatory process. The consultant is expected to facilitate and reflect cross-agency inputs while ensuring alignment with national priorities and Egypt’s Vision 2030.

The consultant will submit a deliverables as indicated in the ToR. Payments will be processed upon approved deliverables and submitted invoices.

[1] Activities / Deliverables are to be staggered as per agreement during the inception phase

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree in Social Policy, Public Policy, International Development, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field. A PhD is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the areas of in Social Protection, Social Development, Sociology, Poverty reduction, and other related development areas at theoretical and practical levels in the field, preferably in middle-income or developing country contexts.
• Professional experience in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of social protection national development strategies, multisectoral public policy frameworks, or large-scale reform programmes.
• Experience in facilitating high-level consultations with government stakeholders, development partners, UN agencies, and civil society, is considered an asset.
• Experience working with multiple international development and UN partners and agencies and national governments.
• Deep knowledge of social protection financing, data systems, and performance monitoring frameworks, is an asset.
• Proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with Egypt’s national development context, Vision 2030, and relevant policy frameworks is an asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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