Specialization:

Social Protection Policy Design & Financing

Dr. Zina Nimeh - Specialization Coordinator

zina.nimeh@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Maastricht - 28-10-2016

Quick Background

As a masters, it was initiated by the ILO in 2001 and carried

out by the Graduate School of Governance.

The aim at the time was to train professionals in social

protection/policy financing who already work (or who intend
to do so) for social security institutions, insurance companies,
governments, research institutions and consultancy companies.

Today we have expanded to also prepare young professionals

to embark on a career in public, private and voluntary sector
that deals with social protection and development

What would such a specialization offer you?

Our official response:
1) to contribute towards improved governance of
social protection schemes
2) to reduce country dependence on international or
other advice on social protection/policy financing
and on related policy issues
J However we asked students who graduated with this
specialization and this was their response

What has the specialization offered you?

This specialization offered me with the necessary 'hard' skills

that would enable me to contribute to making this planet a
better place.
Thea Westphal [Germany]

This specialization offered me with a very clear framework on

how to think about development so as to be able to do applied
work on the "fight" against poverty and vulnerability.
Verena Damareau [Argentina]

One major advantage is which I discovered when talking to

other students at other universities doing similar programs the
immediate application of skills. Working with data sets,
producing technical memos, presenting and defending them. I
think that is the best way to get prepared for the real world.

A bit on Social Protection.

Modern government is based on a social contract between citizens and the

state in which rights and duties are agreed to by all to further the common
interest. Citizens lend their support to a government through taxes and
efforts to a countrys good; in return, governments acquire legitimacy by
protecting the peoples rights and through public policies that benefit all.

However, policy making is often captured by powerful groups and elites,

making government policies biased and unaccountable to the majority of

citizens.

With half the world's population living below the two-dollar a day poverty

line, ineffective social policies can be the spark for state breakdown. Lack of
opportunity, authoritarian rule, gross inequity, exclusion and
deprivation all increase the likelihood of a states de-legitimization and
withdrawal of its citizens support, leading to social disintegration, conflict,
and violence.

Why Social Protection?

HDI 1990

MDGs 2000

SDGs 2015

Target 1.3 of the SDGs

implement social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by
2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

I find myself in a country (Namibia), whose president appears

to be known for his pro-poor agenda. However, when talking
to economists in the ministry, social targets and the
achievement thereof often appears to be issues that
apparently can be cured through economic growth and
development sort of as a positive side effect that shall
resolve on its own. Having participated in the courses of
social protection, I tend to think of it differently.
Social protection is an active playing field that can leverage
economy and society if well designed. I am very grateful for
these insights.

Annalena Oppel (Germany)

You should definitely join SPP, if you want to have a set of technical
skills that are applicable to the range of disciplines and jobs. Applying
for positions after completing this program, I have realised I gained
many skills and I found out I am well prepared for entering the job
market. Judging by the success of my fellow course mates, I think,
doing SPP gives you a comparative advantage, due to data analysis
skills and practical aspect of the courses.
Paulina bockowska (Poland)
I would recommend someone to join SPP is that it truly prepares us to
be competent in this field. This includes a lot of things from learning
how to speak the language of international actors to detailed technical
tools.
Eszter Timar (Hungary)

General points.

Social Protection is an important dimension in the

reduction of poverty and multidimensional deprivation.

Social Protection is a diverse topic, the specifics of it

change from definition to definition.

The social protection menu is long.

Country and Societal Context is very important when we

are considering social protection.

General points.

Social policies are necessary because the benefits of

economic growth do not automatically reach all.

Inadequate social policies ultimately limit growth in the

medium and long term.

Social policies are justified not only from a humanitarian

viewpoint; they are an economic and political need for
future growth and political stability, minimally to
maintain citizen support for their governments

Social Protection Spending 1980-2013

Varying Contexts

Global Coverage Health

What we look at.

Varying Contexts (examples)

Developed Countries

Developing Countries

Poverty (all
encompassing)
b) Inequality (e.g. access)
c) Employment (decent
conditions of work,
including wages)
d) Still talking about
elements of Human
Rights
a)

a) Poverty (In work poverty)

b) Inequality (e.g. outcome)

Employment
(unemployment benefits)
d) Moved more towards
challenging topics such as
the maintenance of Old
Age Pensions, SPP for
migrants and refugees.
c)

The Students
(the best part of the specialization!)

Reasons why some students say they chose

this specialization
Interest in the topic and its importance
Interest in learning the methodological Techniques
Interest in working in development in poor countries
Interest in working on the European Welfare state models
Work prospects in the future
Current work
Programs history
To contribute to making the world a better place

So why should you chose this specialization?

The specialization in Social Protection was actually one of my
main reasons I came to the Master programme. I started the
programme with the determination to follow this exact
specialization. After successfully finishing it, I am even happier
about my decision. The Social protection specialization helped me
gain strong theoretical knowledge, enhance my technical skills
and broaden my horizon in terms of social security, policy design
and implementation as well as evaluation. The extensive
teamwork and the need of collaboration with my fellow students
is another valuable experience I gained from the courses.
Therefore, the specialization fulfilled my expectation since it was
both theoretical and practical enough, and technically
(quantitatively) oriented as promised which I was looking for and
I liked particularly a lot.
Devora Levakova [Bulgaria]

I chose it because I wanted to contribute to a better world

Ike Jang [South Korea]
I think it was a great mix of theoretical and practical input! I
Also think that the Stata experience was helpful as well
Lucas Jacobs [Germany]
The Social Protection Floor & the Rights Based Approach
Vera Mweu [Kenya]

Why should you not chose SP

You should not pick this specialization if you are not willing to be totally committed
to the topic and work, since this track requires a lot of dedication and long working
hours.
Mohammed Reda (Egypt)
The

drawback is that you need to either have a basic level of confidence with
STATA, Excel and analysis in general before you begin the track. This is because
you're acquiring a lot of know-how at a fast pace, and you need to be able to pick
up and apply these learnings as and when they're taught to truly absorb them and
do well. If you don't see yourself potentially tolerating STATA and/or Excel, you
might want to think twice about it.
The good: You'll find a lot of variety and depth at the same time, quantitative
skills WILL be acquired.
The bad: There's no wasting time, and you'll need to work fast and acquire
skills quickly. Potentially liking STATA/Excel is a prerequisite
The ugly: It all ends much too soon, it'll leave you wanting more!
Praachi Kumar (India)

Againabout the technical background?

I didnt have a statistical background and I did just fine!
Valentina Perinetti-Casoni (Italy)

I gained useful technical skills and to feel more confident

with "numbers". I can personally rely that while having
interviews I felt more prepared on technical questions they
asked me thanks to the specialization.
Maryon S Charpentier (Belgium)

"Social Protection Student tempted to ignore Whatsapp messages concerning group work
on a Saturday afternoon" Pieter de Hooch - Oil on canvas - 1670

Students Background
Development Studies
Business Studies
(including Finance,
Marketing,) Engineering
Economics
European Studies
Journalism
Languages
Law
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology

How would you summarize the Specialization?

The specialization is hard work; it involves long hours of work
and challenges you every week. You learn how to work hard and
fast, under (sometimes severe) time pressure, you get taught by
experts from the field. In retrospect its incredible to see the
enormous amount of knowledge and know-how youre able to
digest in only four months. The combination of technical skills
and qualitative foundations brings together to essential
components of any kind of work in this field. In other words, I
simply loved it!

Klaas Pieter van der Veen, The Netherlands

Courses

4.

The Global Social Challenge

Understanding Social Protection Policy
Quantitative techniques of Social Protection
Financing Social Protection (The political Economy)

Thesis

1.
2.
3.

Part I (more of a micro focus)

I. The Social Global Social Challenge: The course equips the students with

the building stones for a conceptual and theoretical framework and with the
basic technical skills in order to define the array of problems that social
protection analysts have to address and to intuitively grasp the logic and
design poverty and inequality reduction policies.
II.Understanding Social Protection- From Justification to Intervention:

This course presents a comprehensive introduction to social protection

policy. It provides an overview of the development of the main issues,
theories and practices regarding the design and the implementation of social
protection and social safety nets in advanced economies, as well as
contrasting them to emerging and developing economies. The students will
be equipped with the knowledge that is needed identify the range of policy
options to address the global social challenge for developed and developing
economies.

Part II (more of a macro focus)

III. Techniques & Methods for Social Policy Design: The main
objective of this course is to give the students the knowledge necessary
to establish a social accounting system, undertake social budget
projections and use actuarial and other quantitative analytical tools for
policy making.
IV. Financing Social Protection: The objective of this course is to
provide students with the knowledge necessary to undertake budgetary
planning and cost benefit analyses of social protection policy. This
includes the tools for good financial, fiscal and economic governance
of national social protection systems. Furthermore the course outlines
ways to assist in policy processes that define desirable levels and scope
of social protection in a given country.

New Additions for this Year

Qualitative Seminar
Focus on Food Security (in collaboration with FAO)
Less exams more applied work

What can you do during your study?

Work on available data
Work on available or running projects
Incorporate running projects with your Thesis
Just work on your thesis

ONCE YOU ARE DONE?

Job Prospects
International Organizations: World Bank, UNDP,
UNICEF, Asian Development Bank, Latin American
Development Bank, International Social Security
Association, International Labour Organization
Research Institutes, Think Tanks and Universities:
United Nations Universities, Overseas Development
Institute, Institute of Development Studies, The
Netherlands Institute of Social Studies
Private Consultancy Firms: PriceWaterhouseCoorpers
PwC, Booz Allen Hamilton, KPMG, Oxford Policy
Management, Chemonics International Inc.,
Public Office/Government: Donor Agencies Ministries
- Political Career

Some of the previous cohorts placements

Previous Cohorts: GIZ Google - World Bank EPRI ILO
UNDP UNICEF Dutch Ministry of Exterior Maastricht
University Other PhD Programs (also UNU-MERIT MGSoG)
Government Posts
Ever Expanding Network: Germany - Switzerland Ghana Mongolia - Tanzania - Uganda - Argentina China Denmark
Belgium India Rwanda Guatemala - South Africa
Palestine Mexico Poland Albania Vietnam Egypt
Netherlands Luxembourg USA - UK .

where are they now?

CNDP Erpent
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
GIZ trainee at Ministry of Finance Nambia
Global Communities India
Impact Initiatives
International Criminal Court
Ministrio da Educao, Brasil
International Labour Organization (ILO)
International Organization for Migration
Kikandwa Rural Communities Development Organisation
Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI)
LSE
OECD Development Centre
Outreach Coordinator at The Care Communities
Policy Advisor Social Affairs & Employment at Gemeente Brunssum
Policy officer in the ministry of economic affairs, the Netherlands
New Eurasia Establishment
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
UNU-MERIT/Maastricht Graduate School of Governance
World Health Organization (WHO)

Last 2 yrs

Questions?