Associate Director and Chief, Social Inclusion and Policy Social Protection Coordination and Cooperation in Africa Africa Union – SPIAC B Joint Session 26 April 2017 Algiers Alexandra Yuster Associate Director and Chief, Social Inclusion and Policy UNICEF New York

UNICEF Global Support on Social Protection Few countries missing: Belize Nicaragua Honduras El Salvador Guatemala Iran Namibia Sudan South Sudan Belarus Macedonia Albania Serbia Armenia Moldova Montenegro Romania Bosnia and Herzegovina

UNICEF Social Protection Support: Africa-wide Working at national level with government partners to strengthen social protection in almost every country on the continent Gives a snapshot of the breadth our social protection support in the region (albeit a politically outdated one – apologies South Sudan) UNICEF country offices reporting some support to national governments on social protection work – as of 2015 as well. At minimum – analytical support to help counterparts understand who is poor and vulnerable and might benefit from SP progrmmaing. In many – the majority, support on multiple fronts as described in the next slide Difference in policy and programmatic questions around social protection. Regional differences in focus given different contexts Eastern and Southern Africa How to finance scale-up/expansion? What are the financing options available? How to sustain investments? How to bring fragmented programmes together? What are the key building blocks of a social protection systems? How to make sure design of social protection programmes effectively reach children (and families) affected by HIV and AIDS? West and Central Do CT create dependency? Are CT handouts? How ensure beneficiaries are not discouraged from income generating activities? (first generation questions?) “Cash plus” – how to combine CTs with other services and information How to make SP programmes flexible to effective respond to emergencies? North Africa Bringing together fragmented programmes, and necessary mechanisms Increasing equity and addressing exclusion Subsidy reform and possible re-allocation

UNICEF Social Protection Support: Africa-wide In support of greater coverage and enhanced impact on children and families…. Systems strengthening E.g. national policies and strategies, administrative tools, links between programmes and coordination between ministries, strengthening social welfare services and case management Including reform, where programmes are long-established Expansion and scale-up of cash transfer programmes in the region linking cash transfers with social services to increase impacts Strengthening social protection to respond to and recover from humanitarian crises Generating evidence on the impacts of social protection on children and families - to improve programmes and maximize positive impacts National financing Making the case for and identifying options to increase national budget allocations Supporting subsidies reforms to ensure progressive social spending South-south learning – bilateral, but also region-wide through CT Community of Practice This gives an idea of the breadth of our support UNICEF work tailored to national priorities, but some common areas of support Focus is on social assistance and links to services (though some elements help link up with other important aspect of SP, like pensions, public works, health insurance) System strengthening is key – UNICEF (in collab w UN, WB and other partners) helps govt strengthen SP systems to provide effective SP programmes to children and families by Helping develop comprehensive policies (see list above) Cash transfer pgms are often the flagship – getting this right is crucial. SP & Cash in emergency – when emergency strikes, helping countries make use of existing – even fledgling SP systems = to get cash to affected populations – Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Kenya (mainly climate related so far in the region) Helping countries with ongoing conflict establish pgms despite the challenges – e.g. Somalia, Mali Need/plan to support further on preparedness Often play lead role in coordination of social protection working groups - UNICEF brings helpful links with other social service sectors Alex – note that the CoP does not cover North Africa, although we have explored possibility of extending

Emerging Trends: Africa-wide Difference in policy and programmatic questions around social protection. Different moments? Eastern and Southern Africa How to finance scale-up/expansion? What are the financing options available? How to sustain investments? How to bring fragmented programmes together? What are the key building blocks of a social protection systems? How to make sure design of social protection programmes effectively reach children (and families) affected by HIV and AIDS? West and Central Do CT create dependency? Are CT handouts? How ensure beneficiaries are not discouraged from income generating activities? (first generation questions?) “Cash plus” – how to combine CTs with other services and information How to make SP programmes flexible to effective respond to emergencies? North Africa Bringing together fragmented programmes, and necessary mechanisms Increasing equity and addressing exclusion Subsidy reform and possible re-allocation

What is the state of SP in Africa: Coverage and financing Limited coverage and national investment in social protection (social assistance and other) Presentation Overview Source: ILO World Social Protection Report 2014