At the end of the last week November 08/ 2012, General Consulting and Training (GCT) and its partner (HTSPE International Management Program, UK) celebrated the closing of "Technical Assistance in Development and Implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs" (three years project), by attending the minister of Social Affairs (Mrs. Magda Al -Masri), the representative of the European Union Mr. Michel Labu and a number of agents & key staff from the ministry. Project background : The social assistance in Palestine, is provided through a complex web of PA organizations, NGOs and other external agencies implementing a series of uncoordinated social protection initiatives. This has inevitably led to wastage of resources and poor targeting of assistance. Without a coherent reform of the social safety net, its efficiency and effectiveness will continue to decline, and Palestinian and international resources could be wasted. Demand for social assistance has increased substantially but financial resources are insufficient and there are relatively few instruments to help poor households. The MOSA is the regulatory body and implementing agency responsible for the Social Protection System in OPT, with branches in the 17 Governorates in West Bank and Gaza Strip. MOSA is the only institutional organization effectively vested with the mandate and responsibility to define and implement the social protection strategy. The current organizational structure in MOSA needs to be improved and suited to the overall strategy for the social protection sector and MOSA current mandate. There is a general consensus that ongoing social and cash assistance services are fragmented, and that systems and procedures are disharmonized. Targeting is poor and the determination of eligibility is almost subjective. There are inequitable levels of benefit, which do not match the household welfare. Both coverage and beneficiary satisfaction are low. The overall objective, under MOSA responsibility is twofold: 1) to develop, populate and manage a centralized database of "poor households in Palestine" and 2) to develop, manage and implement a single, poverty-based cash transfer program that caters to the "poorest of the poor". The main objectives of project are: 1.To improve the Ministry of Social Affairs’ (MOSA) capacity to carry out its mandate regarding social protection. This will include modernization of its administration and putting in place means by which capacity can be continuously updated and maintained beyond the lifetime of the Project, in full cooperation with key stakeholders (i.e. General Personnel Council). 2.To support the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) in implementing its responsibilities particularly regarding reform of social safety nets and development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive strategy and policy for a more effective social protection system covering all poor and vulnerable segments of the Palestinian population. Description of Actual Services Provided through the project: • A new high-level business strategy was designed, adopted and implemented by MoSA /GCT. • Business plans, priorities, targets for all departments at HQ and directorates was developed, implemented, monitored and reported. • Provided support to MOSA in defining job descriptions and responsibilities in line with the new business strategy, and the skills needed to carry out their responsibilities • A communication strategy for both internal and external stakeholders, aligned with the new business strategy and social protection strategy, was designed, adopted and implemented • IT strategy, aligned with the new business strategy and social protection strategy, was designed, adopted and implemented. • Provided assistance to MOSA in developing an overall strategy for social protection for the future that guides all policy reform and potential legislative changes. • Reviewed and assessed the current legal social legislation, designed a long term strategy for the development of this legislation and delivered training in social legislation. • Capacity building of MOSA to further develop the social protection system.