The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is a cash transfer programme started by the Government of Ghana (GOG) in 2008. It is targeted at the extremely poor, vulnerable and orphaned children, and the elderly. The objective of the programme is to reduce poverty by increasing consumption and promoting access to universal social services.

The Department of Social Welfare (DSW) in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), implements the LEAP programme.

The programme has over seventy two thousand (72,000) beneficiary households with an average of people per household. The number of beneficiary household is set to be increased to 200,000 by 31st December, 2015
To enhance LEAP implementation and improve upon programme delivery at the national, regional and district levels, the World Bank, through the Ghana Social Opportunities Programme (GSOP) is strengthening the management and administration of the programme.

The Beneficiary Services Specialist is the person responsible for all interaction between the LEAP and the beneficiary. As such she/he is ultimately responsible for: beneficiary selection and registration, handling of appeals and complaints as well as for the establishment of an efficient referral system to complementary programmes.

Key Responsibilities:

•   Oversee the development and implementation of the programme's Grievance and Redress Mechanism.
•   Monitor the functioning  of the  processes of Beneficiary  Data  updates,  GRM processes, and complementary services; identify shortfalls and propose solutions.
•   Lead the development of a training module on Case Management and initiate a general orientation for all District Social Welfare Officers on Beneficiary updates procedures.
•   Lead the development of annual implementation plans for the Beneficiary Services sub-unit, to include appeals and complaints processes, increased access to complementary services, and related staff training exercises.
•   In close coordination with the M&E Manager, analyze comparative data on beneficiary services (outputs and outcomes on Beneficiary Registration, Updates on Beneficiary data. Appeals and Complaints by province and region, uptake of complementary services, etc), identify shortfalls in work performance, and make appropriate managerial decisions to address shortfalls,
•   Review and approve Memoranda of Understanding between LEAP and other Partner Organizations.
•   Secure timely delivery of narrative reports on Case Management issues to the LEAP General Coordinator on quarterly and annual basis.
•   Conduct any other duties within the scope of this assignment as requested by the LEAP Coordinator.

Reporting Responsibility:
In the discharge of his/her duties, Beneficiary Service Specialist will report to the Operations Manager. He/she will prepare and submit quarterly reports to Operations Manager.

Duration of Assignment:
The contract will last for one ( 1) year initially, but renewable for a second year subject to satisfactory performance.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   An advanced degree in Public or Social Policy is required.
•   Candidates should furthermore have proven managerial experience of at least five years in a larger programme and have to be very good team leaders.
•   Excellent managerial and strong communication skills as well as problem solving skills are necessary.
•   Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets are required.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Only shortlisted individuals will be contacted. Letters of Intereste clearly  marked: "MoGCSP-LEAP PERSONEL" should be received by the close of work on or before Tuesday, December 9 2014 and addressed to:

THE CHIEF DIRECTOR
MINISTRY OF GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
P.O.BOX MBO 186
ACCRA, GHANA

Attn: Mr. Mawutor Ablo (tel: 0208164216/ 0242628598} Director, MoGCSP
For further enquiries contact the MoGCSP or the National Coordinator, GSOP(tel: 0302-770246)

Closing Date: 09 December, 2012

Note: MoGCSP reserves the right not to hire for the position(s) if it determines that a candidate suitable for the position(s) was not identified. For such an event the position(s) so affected will be re-advertised