By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Articulate various models and approaches to social protection and safeguarding.
• Design and implement effective programs focusing on child protection, gender protection, and safeguarding vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Conduct evaluations of social protection and safeguarding interventions.
• Address challenges and barriers to effective program implementation.
• Integrate cross-cutting issues such as gender and social inclusion into social protection strategies.

Introduction to Social Protection and Safeguarding

• Foundations of Social Protection
• • Definitions and key concepts
  • Historical development and global trends
  • Risks and coping mechanisms in communities
  • Components of social protection systems
  • Key pillars of social protection
  • Life-cycle approach to social protection
• Introduction to Safeguarding
  • Definitions and principles of safeguarding
  • Importance of safeguarding in social protection
  • Case study: Safeguarding principles in a social protection program
  • Sharing participant experiences and perspectives on social protection and safeguarding in their contexts

Child Protection and Safeguarding

• Child Protection Frameworks
• • International conventions and national policies
  • Child rights and protection mechanisms
  • Case study: Effective child protection programs
• Designing Child Protection Programs
  • Needs assessment and targeting vulnerable children
  • Program design principles and best practices
  • Case study: Designing a child protection intervention
• Implementation Challenges in Child Protection
  • Operational challenges and solutions
  • Coordination with other social services

Gender Protection and Empowerment

• Gender Protection Frameworks
• • Gender equality policies and international standards
  • Gender-based violence and protection mechanisms
  • Case study: Successful gender protection programs
• Designing Gender Protection Programs
  • Needs assessment and targeting vulnerable women and girls
  • Program design principles and best practices
  • Case study: Designing a gender protection intervention
• Implementation Challenges in Gender Protection
  • Addressing social and cultural barriers
  • Integrating gender protection into broader social protection programs

Social Protection for Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups

• Social Protection Frameworks for Vulnerable Groups
• • Identifying vulnerable and marginalized populations
  • Inclusive social protection policies and programs
  • Case study: Effective social protection for marginalized groups
• Designing Inclusive Social Protection Programs
  • Needs assessment and targeting mechanisms
  • Program design principles and best practices
  • Case study: Designing a social protection program for marginalized communities
• Implementation Challenges in Social Protection
  • Addressing barriers to access and inclusion
  • Coordination and integration of services
  • Case study: Overcoming implementation challenges in social protection for vulnerable groups

Integrated Social Protection and Safeguarding

• Combining child protection, gender protection, and social protection
• Holistic approaches and cross-sectoral coordination
• Case study: Integrated social protection and safeguarding programs

Monitoring and Evaluation of Social Protection Programs

• Social Protection Indicators in the Global Context
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Impact assessment methods
• Case study: Evaluating the impact of an integrated social protection program

Financing and Sustainability of Social Protection

• Financing options and mechanisms for social protection programs.
• Social insurance and contributory schemes.
• Resource mobilization and sustainability considerations.

Risk Management and Crisis Response

• Identifying and managing risks in social protection and safeguarding
• Adaptive social protection in response to crises
• Case study: Social protection responses to natural disasters and conflicts

Future Directions in Social Protection and Safeguarding

• Innovations and emerging trends
• Leveraging technology for better outcomes
• Policy implications and global perspectives

This course is designed for persons engaged in project management responsibilities. These may include, but not limited to the following:

• Policy Makers and Government Officials
• Non-governmental organization (NGO) staff members working in social protection programs
• Social Protection Practitioners and Managers
• Child Protection Officers and Advocates
• Gender Protection Specialists
• Social Workers and Community Leaders
• Researchers and Academics
• Development Consultants and Advisors

The Social Protection training is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in their respective fields of practice. The course employs a mix of methodologies including presentations, group exercises, case studies, and much more. Group work is an essential component of the course. The course is designed to be primarily workshop-based, in which participants can work through tasks and problems that mimic their daily activities. Instructors are there to facilitate the group work, addressing real-world concerns.

At Virgon Africa, we believe in experiential learning. We value active participation in our courses through sharing experiences, ideas and practices.