NGO JOBS

Organization: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Chad
Closing date: 04 Jun 2014

Title: Cash Based Interventions Expert, Chad

Duration of assignment:4 months from 1^st of June to 30^th September 2014

Context

As part of the WFP-UNHCR Joint Action Plan 2014, with High Level endorsement, UNHCR Chad, in partnership with WFP, is considering cash-based support for both Sudanese and Central African refugees in Chad to replace or complement food assistance.

The process is still at an early stage. In March 2014, WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation conducted a study “Etude des marches des céréales avec la sécurité alimentaire, les programmes de transfert monétaires et les achats locaux” which concluded that local markets in Chad can under certain conditions sustain additional demands of 25% of cereals induced cash-based initiatives and that the financial services in some parts of the country could support cash based interventions. For the time being no transfer modality or delivery mechanism has been selected. The above study considered only cereals while the Chad operation is also interested to support cash-based interventions, wherever feasible and appropriate, for other refugee goods and services, e.g. Non-Food Items. The use of cash or vouchers is also central to UNHCR Chad refugee livelihood strategy which is being finalized. A recent study “Etude de marche et analyse des chaines de valeur prometteuses dans le sud et l‘Est du Tchad” comissioned by UNHCR in January 2014 has suggested for each refugee locations the appropriate value chains to be developed in Agriculture. Household Economy Approach studies have been conducted in two of the 13 camps in Chad and the findings of the study will be used among other things to implement targeting of food assistance especially considering the difficulties WFP has been facing in supplying food.

Scope of work and reporting structure

The scope of work of the Cash and Voucher Expert will be toexplore the feasibility of cash or vouchers or a mixed modality in Chad and propose a practical way forward, in the form of a detailed action plan and concrete steps towards implementation (i.e. signing of contracts and agreements…), to shift to CBI. In doing so, the expert will be exploring the possibilities to implement CBI in the different sectors of intervention of UNHCR. He/she will work together with the Senior Programme Officer in N’Djamena who is the Cash Based Initiatives focal point and in partnership with WFP and other concerned stakeholders. He/she will receive overall guidance and direction from the Representative and the Assistant Representative Programme, to whom he/she will report. He/she will also work in collaboration with the CBI Unit in UNHCR HQ. There will also be a link with the Regional Office in Dakar to ensure that activities and lessons learned in the region are captured. The Expert will be based in N’Djamena and undertake missions throughout the country as required. The consultant will be working closely with one staff and training him during the consultancy to ensure the taking over after departure.

Accountability*(key results that will be achieved)*

1. UNHCR Cash Based Interventions are implemented as part of a coherent response, also in partnership with WFP, in combination with other types of assistance being provided to persons of concern.
2. CBI are designed and implemented according to UNHCR guidelines and good practice established, with the overall objective of contributing to the well-being of beneficiaries.
3. The specific requirements of persons of concern are assessed and analysed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for design, implementation and monitoring.
4. As a result, a detailed action plan is designed for UNHCR to start implementing CBI, considering the possibility of scaling up CBIs over time.

Responsibility

1. Support the country office to systematically consider CBI to meet refugee needs, this includes establishing a multi-sectoral country office team that include management, programme, protection, ICT, supply, admin/finance, and other staff as required.
2. Identify possible focal points in the different units that can be partially involved in the assessment as part of a learning exercise on CBI for UNHCR staff.
3. Identify a pool of potential partners for future expansion of CBI activities and build capacity of UNHCR and potential partners to set up and run CBI.
4. The expert will assess in a minimum of 4 camps which is the most appropriate transfer modality (cash, vouchers, in kind or mixed) and delivery mechanism. These camps will be identified in collaboration with the CO. He/she will::
5. assess beneficiary preference and any potential protection issue linked with a change in assistance modality ;
6. verify beneficiary physical access, to ensure that households have continuing/easy access to markets;
7. assess the security issues linked with the CBIs to be introduced and undertake risk analysis and mitigating factors;
8. undertake market research to assess if local markets can meet refugees’ needs for goods and services including price variations and availability of basic items (food and non-food items for example, sleeping mats, jerry cans, blankets, sanitary napkins, plastic buckets, soap, mosquito nets, kettles, school uniforms…);
9. assess the capacity, availability and willingness of retailers to use vouchers, if applicable and technological solutions for their use;
10. assess the availability of financial systems for cash transfer (including mobile phones, microcredit institutions, banks, post offices, etc.), potential financial partners, and their capacity;
11. assess and pre-identify implementing partners;
12. evaluate the cost-efficiency and cost effectiveness of the possible shift from in-kind to CBI and among the different delivery mechanism;
13. Write Standard Operating Procedures for the intervention, either UNHCR specific or in partnerships with implementing and/or operational partners, in line with UNHCR guidance and SOP templates. These should include detailed description of:
14. targeting strategy, methodology and criteria;
15. identification of beneficiaries, including persons with specific needs, and risk mitigation measures to ensure no exclusion;
16. risk analysis and corresponding mitigation measures;
17. monitoring matrix including definition of data collection tools, indicators and targets to measure and analyse programme performance, trends and target interventions. These should be done jointly with WFP where possible and feasible, in line with the Joint Action Plan 2014 and involve protection and programme staff.
18. data protection risks and procedures to reflecting UNHCR’s draft policy on information sharing and data storing processes with IP and financial service providers;
19. Where feasible and appropriate, participate in meetings and working sessions with other CBI partners to define and undertake concrete steps to define a common platform for provision of assistance (food and/or non-food).
20. Support the country office in providing feedback to partners, e.g. WFP, in the design of appropriate and feasible cash-based interventions, taking into consideration UNHCR guidelines and the importance of considering protection benefits and risks.
21. Work with Country Office management to define and promote an integrated vision of in-kind and cash and voucher modalities to meet UNHCR objectives, including share objectives with Operating Partners, e.g. WFP.
22. Support Country Office management to engage and inform government and donor stakeholders, ensure they are appropriately involved and kept up to date on developments vis-a-vis CBI.
23. If time allows, support the CO to take concrete steps toward the implementation of CBI (signing of agreement with partners, financial service providers, etc.).
24. Prepare a report at the end of the consultancy, including practical steps on the way forward, recommendations and lessons learnt.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Business administration or in any other related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 3 years in CBI.
• Proven knowledge and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CBI from a multi-sectorial perspective.
• Previous work experience with UNHCR and /or WFP an advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of French, English. Arabic (written and spoken) is an advantage.

Duration of assignment:4 months from 1^st of June to 30^th September 2014

How to apply:

Please send you CV and cover letter to hqcash@unhcr.org, cc-ing sanguine@unhcr.org before Wednesday, June 4, 2014, clearly stating in the subject line.