A strategic investment for nutrition which was a multi-sectoral intervention, required clearly laid out implementation arrangements, and there was an urgent need to set up the proposed independent Social Protection entity to implement the H&N CCT project as part of the AAP Sindh. Such a H&N CCT implementation arrangement was viewed and availed as a strategic opportunity to address, in the short run, delivery of H&N CCT in Sindh and, in the long run, to develop a fully capacitated and sustainable administrative and institutional arrangement that, under a coherent policy framework, can coordinate and oversee the whole SP sector in Sindh.

The overall key consideration for such an arrangement was the creation of technical capacity and leadership for SP in Sindh with appropriate legal and administrative safeguards ensuring sustainability and resource efficiency. In view of the above and considering public sector governance experience, it was initially established as Unit housed in the Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh, ensuring that the said structure could fully discharge its short and long-term roles and functions as highlighted above. The said entity was overseen by a high-powered Board headed by the Chief Minister, Sindh.

World Bank agreed to Provide Technical Assistance for component 2 under SERRSP. The component of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) for PLW was assigned to Social Welfare Department. The concept Paper for H&N CCT design was developed by Social Welfare Department in consultation with WB’s Social Protection Team. Technical and financial assistance was agreed upon by the WB alongside the regular budget from the Government side for the CCT component under their TA. For strategic support, a dedicated Social Protection Unit (SPU) was set up in SWD to implement H&N CCT Component as part of AAP-SERRSP.

However after the amendment of the contract with World Bank on 25th March, 2019 the said entity was housed/ shifted from Social Welfare Department to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat with the name of Social Protection Strategy Unit (SPSU) vide notification NO.S.O(C-IV)SGA&CD/4-6/19 dated 1st October, 2019 for the implementation of SERRSP component –II; H&N CCT part.