• Project: Partnerships for Social Protection (P4SP) program
• Fixed-term contract: ASAP to 30 June 2025, with a possible option to extend.
• FTE: Full-time (1.0FTE) or part-time/consultant (0.6 FTE) opportunity available.
• Reporting to Team Leader (TL)

ABout the role

Development Pathways is currently looking for a Senior Social Protection Specialist to work on a Full-time (1.0FTE) or part-time/consultant (0.6 FTE).

The ideal candidate will provide quality social protection technical advice and guidance across a subset of P4SP country programs/activities and contribute to setting P4SP’s technical direction. As a member of the P4SP Technical Advisory Team, the Specialist will work closely with the Programs Team and support the Team Leader (TL) in ensuring all activities and engagements are technically robust, sustainable, and inclusive. The Specialist will support P4SP to deliver high-quality technical assistance to Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste partner governments, in line with national social protection priorities and Australian government priorities.

LOCATION

This is a home-based (Full-time Australia based and flexible for part-time or consultant appointment) role. The successful candidate will either be:

• Australia based for a full-time appointment. Australian residency or current works permit is required. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence of a current work permit.
• Flexible location (Australia or international) for part-time or consultant appointments.

The position location is flexible for the right candidate. Travel to Australia, the Pacific region and Timor-Leste will be required.

JOB SPECIFICATION

The Senior Social Protection Specialist will report to the TL and will work closely with another Senior Social Protection Specialist, the Deputy Team Leader and the Programs Team. As the technical lead for a subset of P4SP bilateral and regional engagements and activities, responsibilities may include:

Technical leadership

• Provide high quality technical advice and leadership to a subset of bilateral and regional activities and engagements to ensure they are evidence-informed, technically robust, sustainable, and inclusive.
• Provide quality technical advice to governments, DFAT, P4SP team members, and other stakeholders on social protection policy as well as program design and implementation.
• Oversee / Support development and maintenance of relevant country analyses and country engagement plans as appropriate.
• Lead /Provide technical input to the identification and development of select new activities and engagements.
• Oversee management of consultants and activities as needed, including work scoping, contract management, quality assurance of deliverables, and ensuring MERL, GEDSI and communication requirements are met.

Communications and Engagement

• Actively contribute to strengthening P4SP’s reputation as a social protection knowledge leader in the region by:

• Supporting, participating in and/or presenting at seminars, conferences, and policy dialogue forums.
• Contributing / leading technical development of knowledge products, blogs, social media posts and other communications products, working closely with the P4SP Communications and Public Diplomacy Manager.

• Ensure the P4SP TL is always well briefed and supported, to respond to requests effectively and promptly for information and advice.
• Engage in policy discussions and collaborations with key stakeholders including DFAT, other donor organisations and partner governments, within the scope of activities and country engagements the Specialist leads on or as requested by the TL.
• Foster effective stakeholder coordination and communication.
• Develop and maintain constructive relationships with relevant stakeholders (such as DFAT Posts, regional organisations, government ministries, other development partners and civil society actors).

Capacity development and Peer Support

• Provide a quality assurance / peer review function for other members of the P4SP Technical and Programs Teams.
• Provide technical backstopping and peer support to in-country advisers and experts deployed on short- term and long- term missions in the region, and to non-technical P4SP team members.
• Technically support the development and delivery of social protection training and other learning activities.

MERL, GEDSI, Planning and Reporting

• Work closely with P4SP advisers and specialists to ensure all activities and engagements include consideration of GEDSI, MERL and Communications, including by:

• Undertaking relevant MERL activities with support from the P4SP MERL Adviser and the Programs Team.
• Participating actively in internal planning and reporting processes (e.g., reflect and refocus sessions, planning and reporting workshops, etc.).
• Providing technical input into P4SP annual plans, annual and progress reports, activity plans and development of country engagement plans and analyses.
• Ensure that P4SP activities and engagements are gender and disability sensitive at a minimum.
• Support program team members and in-country adviser to strengthen GEDSI in P4SP activities and partner government social protection programs, working closely with the P4SP GEDSI Adviser.
• Ensure that technical activities comply with relevant DFAT and P4SP policies.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Australian residency or current works permit is required for the full-time Australia based position. It is the responsibility of applicant to provide evidence of a current work permit.
• The successful applicant is required to gain a National or International Police Clearance, prior to being employed and as determined by Development Pathways. The police clearance is required to be renewed periodically and as advised by Development Pathways.
• Some intra/interstate or international travel to Australia, the Pacific region and Timor-Leste is a requirement of this position. The successful applicant will be required to obtain a medical clearance prior to being employed, which is required to be renewed annually or as determined by Development Pathways.
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake mandatory trainings as advised by Development Pathways.
• Some out of hours and weekend work may be required.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• An internationally recognised qualification in social policy, international development, economics or a related field.
• A thorough practical and conceptual understanding of social protection best practice internationally.
• Demonstrated social protection technical expertise (policy, operations and / or programs).
• Highly developed communication (written and verbal) and the ability to present information clearly and effectively to a wide range of internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated experience working on social protection issues in remote country contexts and cross-cultural settings.
• Highly developed cross cultural and interpersonal skills, and an ability to build collaborative networks and influence people and outcomes.
• Ability to work flexibly as required (P4SP is an adaptive program that responds to the needs of partner governments)
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of gender equality, disability and social inclusion.

Desirable

• Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and analyse complex information, and offer creative, practical, and effective solutions and advice.
• Proven ability to provide high quality and timely technical leadership and advice to social protection programs / partner governments.
• Excellent representational and advocacy skills.
• Experience working in the Pacific and/or Timor-Leste.
• Some experience working across one or several of P4SP’s influencing priorities:

(i) adaptive/ shock-responsive social protection;

(ii) gender and disability responsive social protection;

(iii) financing of social protection programs; and (iv) operations and delivery systems.

Child Protection

Development Pathways is committed to protecting the rights of children. We will require you to provide a police check(s) and reserve the right to conduct other screening procedures, if required, to ensure a child-safe environment. 

Gender Equality, Disability & Social Inclusion

Development Pathways is committed to technical excellence in gender equality and our team will work closely with our partners to ensure a context-specific and consistent approach is applied to all our programs to improve the livelihoods of the world’s most marginalised groups.

Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

Development Pathways is committed to respectful workplaces and does not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment of any kind.

Diversity Statement

Development Pathways is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and a work environment that values diversity and inclusion. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, female applicants, and people with a disability who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.

A full position description is attached.