Mozambique One UN Joint Programme on Social Protection 2017-2020

Social protection is widely recognized as an effective set of policy interventions to reduce poverty, vulnerability and inequality, and promote inclusive economic growth. Over the past decade, Mozambique’s social protection system was consolidated with the 2010-2014 National Basic Social Security Strategy, however, despite numerous improvements the sector has remained fragmented. 

The new National Basic Social Security Strategy, or ENSSB II, covering the period 2016-2024, endorsed by the Council of Ministers in February 2016, provides a unique opportunity to address this fragmentation and better align those involved to deliver an ambitious set of targets. It has four key objectives:

1. Enhance the level of consumption and resilience of the population living in situations of poverty and vulnerability;
2. Contribute towards the development of human capital through improvement of nutrition, access to basic health and education services of the population segments living in poverty and vulnerability;
3. Prevent and mitigate the risks of violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination and social exclusion through social services, and
4. Develop the institutional capacity of the government sectors that coordinate basic social security.

The Joint Programme has been structured around a coherent package of interventions, all of which are included in the ENSSB II and fully aligned with its Operational Plan around the 38 “Strategic Actions”, but where the UN agencies have the mandate, capacity and strong working relationships with government partners so as to further strengthen the social protection framework.  Over the course of the programme (2017-2019), the two UN agencies involved (ILO and UNICEF) will work with partners at national, provincial and district levels to deliver the following results:

1. By 2020, clear programmes and policies designed to operationalize the ENSSB II
2. By 2020, robust evidence and clear advocacy on key components of the ENSSB II
3. By 2020, strengthened MGCAS’s capacity to coordinate and implement the ENSSB II.

Given the ambitious beneficiary targets set in the ENSSB II and other key documents, a more modern and integrated social protection system is required, but this will be challenging. Operationalisation of the ENSSB II 2016-2024 comes at an important time in Mozambique as, following a sustained period of growth, the Mozambican economy has contracted significantly given the recent severe economic crisis.  However, with challenges come opportunities and the UN Joint Programme, as detailed below, has been constructed around providing critical support to MGCAS and INAS to implement the new ENSSB at a time when vulnerable families require assistance more than ever.

Outcome 1 focusses on the design component and includes the procedural work required for the new/ revised programmes and social welfare services in addition to establishing e-INAS and M&E system. Outcome 2 focusses on generating data and evidence to inform advocacy, policy work and potential programme scale-up. Outcome 3 focusses on the implementation and capacity development necessary to operationalize the new social protection programmes.

The Joint Programme will use a ‘pass through’ modality. This was selected based on the experience in the past as to achieve the most effective, efficient and timely implementation, and to reduce financial and transaction costs for national partners, donors and the UN.  The Joint Programme will be overseen by a Steering Committee responsible for strategic guidance and oversight. UNICEF is proposed to act as the Administrative Agent, responsible for transmitting and reporting on received contributions. In addition, UNICEF will serve as the Convening Agent, responsible for bringing the Participating UN Organizations (PUNO) together, supporting the Steering Committee and consolidating narrative reports.

The UN agencies will identify and adopt actions to mitigate the effects of internal or external factors that might impair the achievement of expected results (see Annex 2 for additional information). The identified risks will regularly be monitored and assessed and corrective actions taken as the need arises and reported in progress reports.

The Joint Programme will be monitored through a joint M&E system that will be developed together with the government and development partners. The internal Joint Programme M&E system will monitor and evaluate if and how the programme reached its planned objectives[1], in particular it will focus on looking at the effectiveness of the programme in terms of remodelling, knowledge and advocacy, and system strengthening.

Support provided by the UN agencies will consist mainly of technical expertise, capacity building, financial and material support to ensure the capacity of INAS and MGCAS is strengthened to roll out the newly approved social protection programmes in the field in a more effective, reliable and accountable manner.

[1] This is different from the M&E system developed to monitor the results of the ENSSB

For more information, please contact:

Claudio Fauvrelle
Tel +25821481100
email: cfauvrelle@unicef.org