UNICEF National Consultant - Social Protection Management Information System (MIS) Strengthening Jobs in Ghana
UNICEF National Consultant - Social Protection Management Information System (MIS) Strengthening Jobs in Ghana
Purpose of the Assignment This consultancy seeks to provide the LEAP Management Secretariat (LMS) with technical support on several priority workflows over the coming months. This includes providing back-office services in support of the roll-out and strengthened design of decentralised information management systems, emergency payments, data management for beneficiary reassessment exercises, linkages with other social service information systems such as the Ghana National Household Registry (GNHR), the Single Window Citizens Engagement Service (SWCES), the National Health Insurance Schene (NHIS) and Ghana Health Services (GHS), as well as capacity building of the LEAP MIS and M&E teams for all the above.
Specific Tasks and Outputs
Continue to enhance LEAP information managements systems in line with new programme operational developments such as emergency cash transfers and reassessment
LEAP is currently going through several important programmatic transitions that will require modifications of its information management systems. This includes the development of specific information management and payment modules for emergency deployment, including the use of mobile money transfers, as well as the information systems and protocols that will be required to implement re-assessment. Under this line of work, the consultant will present the following tasks and outputs:
Output 1: Report detailing adjustments to LEAP MIS and GNHR to support emergency cash transfers.
In order to facilitate new approaches to enrolment and payments, the consultant shall help identify specific processes for data sharing between LEAP, GNHR, SWCES, GhIPPS, NADMO and payment platforms such as TelCos. This should result in several specific recommendations as well as checklists and guidelines for stakeholders to follow.
Output 2: Report detailing adjustments to LEAP MIS and GNHR for reassessment.
As LEAP works on its reassessment strategy, the consultant will be called upon to provide technical inputs to the reassessment workshop including a presentation, and position paper. Additional adjustments will be necessary to the LEAP MIS and GNHR databases to accommodate reassessment of beneficiaries and their exit or transitioning off the programme to other programmes.
Provide technical support for the national roll-out of LEAP E-reporting and Decentralised MIS to all MMDAs in Ghana
With the LEAP E-reporting tool and the E-MIS currently being rolled out beyond the initial pilot areas to cover the entire country, there is a need to provide technical backstopping to the LEAP Management Secretariat during the roll-out and to address user-challenges as they arise.
Specific activities would include:
Output 3: Short report outlining support to roll-out of e-reporting and e-MIS.
Supporting the trainings on e-MIS and e-reporting with technical content as necessary and providing back-office troubleshooting for issues that arise in testing the decentralised software. Developing an FAQ and simple how-to videos for users, accessible from the E-Reporting and E-MIS tools. (Including a. simple guidance on how to access system, b. basic guidance inside the system for how to use it, c. inputting Opps manual into the MIS)
Output 4: Training report for LMS M&E and MIS staff
Developing an updated LMS dashboard with renewed indicators in easy-to-use format for decision making and publicly available on the LEAP website, as well as, if relevant, to the Social Protection Directorates M&E Dashboard.
Strengthen the functioning of LEAP MIS and interoperability with other services in the linkages / Integrated Social Services Initiative (such as GHS, NHIS, SWIMS, GNHR and Single Window Citizens Grievance Centre) as well as with GhiPPS
LEAP’s MIS currently has a module for linkages, but this will be tested in the coming year and will likely require adjustments and strengthening as the Integrated Social Services initiative continues to provide lessons. This may likely require adjustments to the information systems and technological tools of counterparts, for which UNICEF and LMS will require an expert with technical knowhow of information systems to engage and follow-up with such partners. The work includes establishing functional linkages between LEAP e-MIS, SWIMS, GHS E-Tracker, NHIS, GNHR and the Single Window Citizens Engagement Services (SWCES).
Output 5: Report detailing adjustments to LEAP E-MIS Linkages Module
As part of linkages, LEAP beneficiaries should receive priority access to social services and healthcare. These services should be complementary, as should be their staff and their information systems at decentralized level. The LEAP e-MIS Linkages Module will be tested, likely resulting to
adjustments in its design as well as new how-to-tools for its use (in relation to activity B.1) They may also have bearings for data-sharing and operational protocols within LEAP and externally, particularly with the Social Welfare Information Management System (SWIMS) that is currently being rolled out using PRIMERO software.
Output 6 Report detailing adjustments to Single Window Citizens Engagement Service
Additional adjustments will be necessary to the LEAP MIS to: (i) receive Complaints/grievances/Cases from the SWCES; (ii) for the LEAP MIS to send information to the SWCES to enable resolution of cases in the SWCES MIS; and (iii) to provide an interface where SWCES staff can quickly verify beneficiary information to enable them respond to information requests from the LEAP beneficiaries.
Output 7: Report detailing support given to ensure electronic linkages between SP sector MIS for Integrated Social Services
The National Health Insurance Authority’s MIS would ideally be linked up to the LEAP and GNHR databases to permit a more direct sharing of information about eligibility for NHIS exemptions. The consultant will specifically work on this from a technological stance, but also provide advice for data-sharing protocols and MoUs.
Output 8: Report laying out proposed e-zwich solutions
UNICEF supported LEAP to re-enroll 8.700 households onto e-zwich as they were no longer receiving payments due to expired cards. This was a costly exercise that should be possible to simplify and make more efficient. The consultant will be tasked to pursuing solutions to achieve this goal, to help LMS and GhiPPS to identify in a timely manner when e-zwich cards are set to expired and manners in which they can be renewed efficiently and cost-effectively. Possibly approaches could involve adjusting MIS for expiry field for enrolment (e.g. two payment cycles before payment) to do renewal during cash-out.
Deliverables and Expected days
Enhance LEAP MIS for emergency payments and reassessment
Report detailing adjustments to LEAP MIS and GNHR to support emergency cash transfers, with attached 10-15min presentation of required data sharing and collaboration protocols and checklists for stakeholders (25 days)
Report detailing adjustments to LEAP MIS and GNHR for reassessment and roadmap for future developments, including attached 15-20 min presentation from reassessment workshop. (15 days)
National roll-out of LEAP E-Report and E-MIS
Short report outlining support to roll-out of e-reporting and e-MIS, and links to updated FAQ and how-to-use tools for troubleshooting common problems. (10 days)
A training report for LMS staff with links to an updated dashboard for LEAP-MIS, (attached the various training materials such as the agenda, slides and activity materials) as well as guidelines for how to use the dashboard and troubleshoot common problems in the MIS for the LEAP MIS team. (5 days)
LEAP MIS interoperability with other sectors for linkages and e-zwich card renewals with GhiPPS
Report detailing adjustments to LEAP E-MIS Linkages Module with Ghana E-Tracker and Social Welfare SWIMS, demonstrating correct functioning of interoperability. (15 days)
Report detailing adjustments to Single Window Citizens Engagement Service (SWCES) MIS (8 days)
Report detailing support given to ensure electronic linkages between SP sector MIS for Integrated Social Services including of GNHR/LEAP, SWCES/LEAP and NHIA database, as well as in designing the new SMS renewal service for indigent categories (10 days)
Report laying out proposed e-zwich solutions and steps taken towards their implementation to simplify the renewal of cards for LEAP beneficiaries (12 days)
Supervision and Reporting Arrangement
The consultant will report to the Social Policy Specialist with Technical oversight from the LEAP National Coordinator. He/she will be expected to work closely with a Technical Working Group made up of representatives of LEAP Management, UNICEF Ghana, the World Bank and DFID.
Expected Qualifications, Experience, Specialised Knowledge/Skills and Competencies
Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Programming or related discipline.
At least 8 years of experience in the design, development of large scale Management Information Systems, computer programming and integration of complex data management systems.
Experience working with national social cash transfer programmes is an asset;
Demonstrated experience working closely with government partners and systems is required.
Excellent analytical, communication, facilitation and capacity building skills are required.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UNICEF National Consultant - Social Protection Management Information System (MIS) Strengthening Jobs in Ghana
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