USR Operations Specialist (Survey Specialist)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

USR Operations Specialist (Survey Specialist)

Introduction

The Terms of Reference outlines the necessary management and coordination duties for the collection of household socio-economic data within the Unified Social Registry (USR). The scope of this work builds on the activities of the successful design, establishment and population of the USR as one way of ensuring a well-functioning, integrated and comprehensive social protection system in Somalia envisioned in the Somalia Social Protection Policy, 2019.

The assignment’s core responsibility involves collecting high-quality socio-economic data at the household level, aligning with the Common Registration Form (CRF) of the Unified Social Registry (USR) within targeted districts nationwide.

Background

Poverty in Somalia is widespread and aggravated by protracted humanitarian crises. With an estimated 70 percent people living below the international poverty line, many of the Somali population remains in need of assistance.  Frequent natural and man-made disasters further aggravate and deepen poverty and food insecurity; particularly when they unfold in a synergetic manner over a short period of time.

In September 2019, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) approved its Social Protection Policy with the objective to gradually transition to a nationally owned social protection system in line with Pillar 4 of the Somalia National Development Plan (NDP-9), 2020-2024. In this regard, there is a need to build more comprehensive, and context specific, programs and systems that provide support to vulnerable households. The policy lays the foundation for an inclusive social protection system and supports the development of delivery systems that are supported by inclusive data management practices. The Unified Social Registry (USR) is a social protection delivery system that supports Somalia’s development and implementation of the social protection policy.

The USR aims to establish a repository of all poor and vulnerable households in Somalia. The USR data repository will enable social programs and interventions to determine eligibility, facilitate inclusion, and enable more efficient and effective inter and intra-program coordination of both social protection actors and interventions. The USR facilitates a common registration gateway for social protection programs to adopt and leverage a uniform and systematic approach which promotes harmonization and supports maximization of coverage by eliminating cases of double targeting of the same households or double dipping by beneficiaries unless, it is deliberate or intentional by the government or any other actor based on program design.

 

The USR as a social protection delivery system performs the following core functions:

• Gather and maintain information on Somalia’s poor and vulnerable citizens.
• Facilitate a harmonized survey for the collection of data about households’ basic information and living conditions, normally called socio-economic data.
• Enable multiple social programs and services to use the collected information for their own targeting.
• Maintain an up-to-date registry, to the extent possible, through two-way communication with programs connected to the USR and conducting field surveys at mass level and/or through on-demand registrations at program offices and/or temporary registration points.

The USR data collection expansion builds on existing USR infrastructure and the ongoing socio-economic data collection using the Common Registration Form (CRF) to a national scale. The nationwide scale-up of data collection activities enables the government to collect socio-economic information for all accessible poor and vulnerable households in the country. It is estimated that an additional 1.8 million households will be surveyed. The rationale for a national data collection, using the door-to-door approach is to minimize the exclusions of poorest households (poverty is at 70% or more), fragmentation and duplication in targeting across different pro-poor and humanitarian programs while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of targeting across all ministries and agencies involved in social protection.

The scope of the assignment 

The Federal Government of Somalia, through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA), seeks Operations Specialist to support the smooth implementation of the USR socio-economic household data collection in targeted districts by collaborating with the data collection firm and state-level administrations.

Duties and responsibilities

The USR Operations Specialist will be responsible for the following responsibilities among others:

1. Supervise and guide the survey design, planning and implementation of operations including communication, mobilization, registration, targeting, case management, monitoring, and evaluation, in consultation with implementation stakeholders.
2. Conduct regular progress review meetings with the PIU and other stakeholders to make sure all activities are implemented on time and contribute to the achievement of project results.
3. Coordinate and communicate with federal states and stakeholders to mobilize USR socio-economic data collection, ensuring buy-in and clear communication at all levels.
4. Contribute to the development and technical review of data collection protocols, including door-to-door approaches, quality control communication, stakeholder engagement, security, and location mapping, seeking approval.
5. Support the PIU and other stakeholders in ensuring coordination and communications to build support for sustainability and track agreements and deadlines.
6. Oversee data quality, establish quality standards and measures to address errors, incomplete and inaccurate data, and enforce stringent quality control measures.
7. Coordinate and communicate with federal states and stakeholders to mobilize USR socio-economic data collection, ensuring buy-in and clear communication at all levels.
8. Monitor performance of data collection and quality assurance services providers in meeting service level agreements including coverage, accessibility and quality
9. Manage USR socio-economic household data collection activities, including timelines, budget, operations, logistics, and field team security.
10. Regularly review the performance of registry operations, its systems and processes to keep information up to date, providing feedback to relevant officers for improvements and engage with other Social Protection schemes on policy, operational and technical issues to ensure harmonisation.
11. Make sure that registration monitoring and grievance management are conducted on a regular basis and feeback is used to improve the design and implementation for continuous improvements.
12. Conduct technical capacity building of partners and their teams on CRF implementation, quality control measures, USR data collection application, and quality control.
13. Generate technical reports quarterly and annually for stakeholder review, encompassing data collection progress, quality control issues, target achievements, challenges, actions, and recommendations.
14. Provide technical support for implementation partners and MOLSA teams to ensure data migration and quality control measures align with workplans and completion timelines.
15. Participate in technical meetings and liaise with MOLSA, the World Bank, and IPs to ensure smooth coordination and communication for successful delivery of USR household socio-economic data collection in Somalia.
16. Lead and support the development of contingency approaches and risk mitigation in USR data collection processes in targeted locations to prevent delays and mitigate risks.
17. Support technical review of Household CRF questionnaire implementation and interpretation at the field level to ensure accurate data collection.
18. Provide support to PIU in hiring and management of registry staff at sub-national level.
19. Participate in evaluations, joint review missions and researches, oversee implementation of reccomendations and findings to continuously improve the project delivery.

Duration of the assignment

The successful candidate will work under a one (1) year renewable contract based on competence and approval by the Ministry of Labour and Social affair.

Reporting

The USR Operations Specialist shall report to USR Coordinator within Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA).

Qualifications

The successful candidate MUST meet the following qualifications:

1. Educational Background:
   • Bachelor/Masters in MIS/IT/CS with a Bachelor/Masters, Project/Operations management or relevant fields such development studies, economics, business administration.
2. Professional Experience:
   • At least 5 years of experience in working for social protection programs, including 2 years of working experience on SP delivery systems including the social registry establishment which might involve survey/systems design, planning and implementation.
   • Demonstrated track record in managing or contributing to social protection programs, including experience in data collection, analysis, or implementation of social welfare initiatives.
   • Proven experience in collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, or international organizations on social development projects.
   • Familiarity with socio-economic contexts and challenges in Somalia or similar regions.
3. Hands-on Experience:
   • Practical expertise in designing, implementing, or managing components of social protection systems, preferably within vulnerable communities.
   • Experience and knowledge of social protection interventions, particularly on key technical components such as registration, targeting, payments, case management, grievance redress mechanisms, operational monitoring and reporting systems.
   • Proficiency in utilizing relevant software, databases, or tools for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
   • Experience in conducting training sessions or workshops aimed at capacity building within community-based organizations or government entities.

4. Communication Skills:
   • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and preferably Somali or other local languages.
   • Ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely, adapting communication style for various stakeholders, including community leaders, government officials, and donors.
   • Proficiency in preparing comprehensive reports, proposals, and presentations for diverse audiences.
5. Additional Skills:
   • Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and provide actionable recommendations.
   • Adaptability and the capacity to work effectively in dynamic, cross-cultural environments.
   • Leadership qualities, including the ability to lead teams, foster collaboration, and provide guidance in achieving project objectives.
   • Familiarity with technological advancements and their potential application in enhancing social protection systems.

How to apply:

Confidential applications can be addressed to procurement@molsa.gov.so and copy fardosa@molsa.gov.so  with only a Cover Letter and Curriculum vitae (CV) in WORD .doc or. docx format must be delivered, by 1500 hours of 16^th February 2024.

Applications addressed exclusively to the one of the above email addresses would not be considered.