Strengthening Social Protection Systems and Employment Programmes for a Resilient

The World Bank Social Protection and Jobs Compass (M-GA) Joint Programme (JP) to Implement the United Nations (UN) Global Accelerator in Namibia is supporting integrated promotion of employment and expansion of social protection coverage through youth skills and entrepreneurship strategies, and digitalisation of social protection systems. Using the Social Protection Assessment Resource Kit for Systems (SPARKS) tool, the JP is closing system gaps through the digitalization of old-age, child, and disability grants. This supports reforms and the roadmap for an integrated Social Protection Information System linked to the National Identification Document (ID) database, enhancing targeting, reducing errors, and enabling streamlined digital payment mechanisms for social grants. The JP also pilots “cash-plus” service bundles for disability grants and strengthens gender-disaggregated data monitoring. On employment, the JP supports the extension of employment injury insurance to informal agricultural workers and designing of unemployment insurance schemes. Employment Impact Assessments (EIAs) are being conducted to identify job-rich opportunities in agri-food and biomass-charcoal sectors; and institutionalised within government and academia through awareness, capacity building, and policy advisory. Support is being extended to the National Youth Employment Strategy and the Employment Creation Fund to provide concessional funding for youth and women-led job creation initiatives. Social Protection and Employment Public Expenditure Reviews are being conducted to assess spending efficiency and equity guiding improved budgeting. Direct beneficiaries include families with children, older persons and persons with disabilities receiving social grants, and unemployed individuals targeted by new unemployment insurance schemes; and unemployed youths and those working in the informal and rural economies. Government stakeholders and social partners are gaining from enhanced planning, budgeting, and digital infrastructure. The programme builds on structures from the UN SDG Fund Global Accelerator Joint Programme on Agri-Systems Transformation, including the JP Steering Committee and the Namibian National Global Accelerator Country Team, co-established by the Government and the UN. Oversight will be provided by the TROIKA+, comprising key ministries including Finance; Justice and Labour; Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport; Gender Equality and Social Welfare; Industrialisation Mines and Energy; Agriculture and the National Planning Commission; Social Security Commission; National Youth Council and the Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board. The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office is ensuring strategic alignment and coordination of efforts of UNICEF, ILO, and the World Bank on the UN side.

Project symbol

NAM/25/50/UND

Admin unit

CO-Harare

Start date

06/09/2025

End date

06/09/2027

Total allocation

425000

Total expenditure

Status

Active

104758

Development Partners

Multi Partner Trust Fund Office, UNDP

Country/Countries

Namibia

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Full and productive employment for just transitions
Outcome 4: Sustainable enterprises for inclusive growth and decent work
Outcome 7: Universal social protection
Outcome 5: Gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all