SOCIAL PROTECTION AND LABOR Serene Philip Sr. Social Protection specialist
Objective of this presentation 1. Share about the bank technical assistance on the Social Safety Nets project Social Safety Nets- Cash transfer component of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security. 2. Role of the newly formed Cash Working Group in Sudan
Project Development Objective- - to strengthen the capacity of the MoWSS to transparently and effectively implement the national CT Program, and to pilot a PSN approach for poor households. - Two components of the project: - Component 1: Strengthening the implementation of the MoWSS s CT Program by putting in place key building blocks of a national safety net - Component 2: Piloting a PSN Approach
Woman tea seller in Sudan. Typical beneficiary
Higher Level Objectives to which the Project Contributes The Banks strategic engagement with Sudan aligns itself to the Interim Strategic Note (ISN 2014-15) The two main pillars of the ISN are to: (i) manage the economic transition; and (ii) Address socio economic roots of conflict, with a cross- cutting focus on governance and gender, contributing directly to the objectives of reducing extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity in Sudan. The other key document that informed Bank intervention is the PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper) (MoFEP 2012) PRSP initiative as one of the instruments to begin to elaborate a vision and new direction for its governance, socio-economic development and poverty reduction efforts. The IPRSP will support compliment existing planning and budgeting instruments, including the 3-Year Salvation Economic Program (2012-2014) and the 5-Year Development Plan (2012-2016)
Sudan- Introduction Sudan has suffered from years of conflict and instability. High poverty rates of 46.5% (CBoSTAT) 2010. Impact of secession on Sudan: GDP comparison between select countries and Sudan 20 15 10 5 0-5 -10-15 Nigeria Kenya Ethiopia Ghana Sudan 2011 2012 2013 2014e 2015f Note: Real GDP growth at market prices in percentage, unless indicated otherwise); Data selected for Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Sudan from the Sub- Saharan Africa country forecasts. Source: World Bank Global Economic Prospects (June 2015).
Background: Initiating Cash transfer program in Sudan Reduction in fuel subsidies could lead to 1.2 million Sudanese falling into poverty (World Bank Paper on Distributional and Fiscal Impact of the Fuel Subsidy Reform). Social Safety Nets was highlighted as an important intervention for reducing poverty in the Government s Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (MoFNE 2012). To cushion the negative effects of the fuel subsidy reform the Government has initiated the Cash Transfer Program to provide targeted support to the poor (started in 2011). The Ministry of Welfare and Social Services (MoWSS) is responsible for Social Protection, with an institutional mandate to provide protection, prevention and promotion for the poor and vulnerable. There is an array of programs and initiatives geared towards protecting the poor under several ministries and agencies.
Social Initiative Program Architecture Designed to Respond to Diverse Needs of the Poor
The proposed SSN Project supports the GoS in improving the effectiveness of the core elements of the SIP. 1. improving the institutional and implementation capacity of MoWSS; Institute a National Steering Committee Institute a State Steering Committee (North Kordofan) Institute a PCU within the MoWSS Government to second staff to work with PCU staff 2. introducing a robust MIS platform for program management; Undertook assessment of IT capacity of MoWSS Setting up the initial building blocks for the MIS Training and capacity building of MoWSS staff
The proposed SSN Project supports 1. supporting the recertification process of the SIP beneficiary; update of the PMT formula and questionnaire; recertification of the 70,000 households, and provide the GoS a scientifically tested model for the remaining 430,000+ additional 200,000 in 2017); the project will finance a model for information gathering (data processing approach) through computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), a computer assisted data collection method using tablets; design and implementation of a communication and awareness strategy to support the operational process, mainly targeting, grievances, and payments; and capacity-building through the hiring of a targeting operations and logistics specialist to accompany and provide support throughout the implementation process. Importantly government staff is involved. Once the information is gathered at remote geographic locations, it will be transmitted to a central location (data storing repositories) through a wireless network. Initial building blocks of a data base.
PMT data collection using CAPI
Influence on the budget allocation as a result of Inclusion errors: Possible scenarios 160,000,000 140,000,000 Budget vs Inclusion errors 136,920,000 120,000,000 100,000,000 [VALUE] 80,000,000 60,000,000 40,000,00030,720,000 23,800,000 [VALUE] 18,750,000 20,000,000 [VALUE] 4,760,000 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (part) Budget $ 10% reallocation 20% reallocation 30% reallocation
Impact on Exclusion errors for future planning: 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Povertyline compare to CT distribution by state in 2013 and 2015 CT 2015 % CT 2013 % Poverty estimate %
The proposed SSN Project supports 1. Improving payments mechanism: Introduce coordination mechanisms and resolve issues at the local level. Update the format of the paper payroll Reduce the length of the payment window. Introduce a payment calendar. Set Standards for Payments Case management Define the rules for allocating a beneficiary to a particular payment service provider Update the programme operations manual to reflect these changes. Visit the Hunger Safety Net Programme in Kenya
The proposed SSN Project supports Improving communication strategy Changes the communication strategy will support: A shared, cohesive communication strategy for public awareness, program coordination and responsiveness Capacity building at national and state level on delivering the communication strategy and redress mechanisms Capacity building at state level to establish stronger coordination, engagement and communication within States Wider public understanding amongst beneficiaries and communities of how the CTP works and its place in the GoS broader vision of Social Protection
The proposed SSN Project supports piloting a productive cash for work approach The PSN Pilot will provide short-term income and employment opportunities for poor households. Community Support Unit (CSU) will implement this component It will create social and productive assets through the work of beneficiaries. Possible activities may include soil and water conservation, small-scale irrigation, and social and economic infrastructure. Subprojects will be determined locally using a community-based participatory planning process and the community development experience of the CSU.
GRADUATION MODEL
Selection of North Kordofan as pilot Strong technical and staff leadership capacity present at National and State level. Currently North Kordofan has a well-trained and experienced team: headed by the State Coordinator, supported by a Civil Engineer, a Finance officer, Procurement officer, Secretary and 40 trained Community Facilitators. All the staff are university graduates, including the Community Facilitators. The CDF State office has experience of implementing labour intensive public works. The office infrastructure is capable to immediately begin operations. The office is fully computerized with internet connectivity through V-Sat capabilities. The CDF office in the state has shown commitment to the pilot project by proactively undertaking preliminary preparatory assignments in an efficient and coordinated manner. A preliminary communications assessment study was completed in the state, an introductory PSN assessment workshop in the state also showed high level of preparedness of the state actors. Dialogue to constitute the State Steering committee; Formed the Livelihoods and Public working group ;Dialogue with local actors on criteria for selecting localities for pilot in N. Kordufan; Wealth ranking conducted; Community action plans being developed.
Objective and role of the newly formed Cash Working Group Overall Objective The overall objective of the CWG is to create a platform for communication, learning, partnership, and technical support for humanitarian assistance through cash and voucher transfers in emergency response and development among the Government, donors, NGOs and UN agencies. Sub-Objectives The sub-objectives are categorized in the following four areas under the overall objective. Communication: Share the information relevant to cash and voucher transfers. Partnership: Facilitate coordination and collaboration for joint initiatives. Learning: Provide learning materials and training opportunities. Technical Support: Respond to technical and operational issues with guidance and advice. Complimenting the Social Protection working group chaired by the WB and co-chair on a rotational basis from Government, INGOs, donors etc. The SPSWG meets to discuss broader thematic area of Social Protection where CT is a means to an end.
Questions and comments?