MODULE 7. DEFINING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SWS

Objective

The objective of Module 7 is to bring insights on how to define functions to be completed by a SWS. It first intends to list the possible functions of a SWS and then elaborates on the need to fit national context when defining such a mechanism.

The content of this module is based on various country experience on designing SWS mechanism.

 

Key questions

1. What are the possible functions of a SWS or similar mechanism?
2. What are the key criteria to define functons to be assigned to the SWS?
3. To what extend do existing structure impact the design of the SWS?
4. How to assess the willigness to delegate?

Take away message

The SWS can act at two levels, at the level on one scheme by completing a set of activities that were previously completed by the related social protection organisation, and at the level of the social protection system as a whole through the implementation of shared mechanisms.

Hence, the definition of the functions to be completed by the SWS is the definition of the roles and responsibilities of the different actors working in the field of social protection and employment promotion. Yet is it critical to ensure that all the social protection stakeholders will take part in defining the SWS functions to ease the delegation of authority when needed.

There are basically six potential domains of activity for the SWS:

• The provision of information on existing social protection and employment promotion schemes to the population;
• The completion of activities part of the social protection delivery chain:
  • Identification of potential beneficiaries
  • Enrolment of beneficiaries and management of the beneficiaries list
  • Control of conditional actions and management of the claim process
  • Delivery of the benefit (in cash or in king through in-house activities such as trainings)
• The implementation of innovative approaches to deliver social protection based on a case management initiative to achieve a better efficiency
• The monitoring of social protection schemes and monitoring of the social protection system as a whole
• The participation to the design of social protection policies, notably through the assessment of the needs
• The installation of a complaint and grievance mechanism

The two key criteria to consider while developing the SWS fuctions are the existing system and its limitations, and the feasibility of the delegation.

Master Module 7

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