Update of Liberia's National Social Protection Policy and Strategy

RECOVERY OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR LIBERIAN INFORMAL

SECTOR EMPLOYMENT (REALISE) PROJECT

Capitol Bye Pass, Old Maternity Center, 1st Floor

Monrovia-Liberia

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) – LOCAL HIRE

REFERENCE NO: LR-MOGCSP-517553-CS-INDV

PROJECT ID: (P174417)

BACKGROUND

Social Protection is defined “as a package of policies and programs, implemented as part of public action, that provide income or consumption transfers to the poorest, protect the most vulnerable against livelihood risks, and improve access to economic opportunities, to reduce food insecurity and deprivation, while increasing resilience of vulnerable households and groups to shocks”. It has been recognized in the 2030 Agenda as a standalone target (under SDG 1) and across all SDGs through the Leave No One Behind principle. Social Protection (SP) investments include wider and sustainable expansion in access to the four minimum guarantees: i) access to essential health care, ii) basic income and food security for the whole family-especially children in the family environment (including vulnerable groups and people with disability), iii) providing some form of basic income for the working age population through pre-employment support and household enterprises for adolescents and young adults, expansion in the national social pension scheme, enforcement of the Decent Work Act and iv) social grants for the elderly, pregnant women, and people living with disability. In line with the National Agenda for Inclusive Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this policy and strategy will endeavor to eradicate poverty and limit the impacts of shocks.

Liberia’s current National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) and Strategy, which was developed and approved by the Government in 2013, needs to be updated to reflect current realities and emerging priorities in the SP sector.

The update process will involve a thorough review of the current policy responses in relation to the prevailing social protection context, highlighting achievements, identifying gaps and opportunities, and providing policy recommendations to strengthen Liberia's social protection systems, programs, and initiatives in a coordinated manner that maximizes value for money.

Objectives of the Assignments

This consultancy aims to review and update the National Social Protection Policy and Strategy (NSPPS) and its Strategic Result Framework to align with Liberia’s goal of building a coherent, adaptive social protection sector that addresses extreme poverty, vulnerability, and inequality, while supporting economic growth, peace, and security.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct a thorough analysis of the past performance in the social protection sector and take stock of the policy implementation to date,

• Conduct a review of good practices in Social Protection programs and interventions that provide support to vulnerable groups

• Identify barriers to accessing social protection intervention by refugees and displaced persons within the boundaries of Liberia and provide short-term, medium--, and long-term solutions for addressing these constraints.

• Review relevant global, regional, and national trends in adaptive, shock-responsive, anticipatory, and climate-sensitive SP systems.

• Analyze the existing institutional, human, financial, and material resources available (both at central and local level) for the delivery of SP schemes/interventions in comparison to the requirements for achieving the objectives of the NSPPS.

• Based on the analysis and consultations outlined above, draft an updated SP policy and strategy document for approval by the Government of Liberia.

• Develop the Strategic Result Framework for the National Social Protection Policy, which will guide its implementation, monitoring, and reporting, including social accountability systems.

• Hold validation meetings on the draft NSPPS with key stakeholders and support the MGCSP in finalizing the document and getting it approved via appropriate channels (e.g., Cabinet-level clearance).

Shortlisting Criteria

The minimum shortlisting requirement are:

• A Master’s Degree in a field related to Social Protection (economics, social sciences, public policy, and/or international development policy).

• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in designing, establishing, implementing and/or evaluating policies related to social protection and jobs (e.g., social assistance, social security, and labor market programs).

• Previous experience in social welfare/social protection policy development or program implementation at a national level.

• Experience in consultative, multi-stakeholder processes, including government, donors, and CSOs.

• Firsthand experience in developing and/or reviewing national social protection policy and/or implementation strategy is preferred.

Please follow the following link to access full Terms of Reference for more information: https://realise.liberiasp.gov.lr/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/National-Social-Protection-Policy-Strategy-TOR.pdf

Shortlisted candidates will be ranked according to qualification and invited for interview in order of ranking.

Applicable Guidelines

The Applicable guideline for this recruitment is: World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrows dated July 2016, revised November 2020. Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.33 of these Guidelines, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Interested persons may obtain further information at the address given below.

How to apply for this position

Interested candidates should address application letters including CVs and relevant educational credentials to the Office of the Project Coordinator, REALISE Project, Old Maternity Building, Capitol Bye Pass, Monrovia, and submit either in person or through email to [email protected] and cc: [email protected] Kindly use Policy Update as subject of the email. All applicants are required to include 3 referees in their submission. The deadline for applications is December 4, 2025.

For further information, please email us using the above email addresses.