Ethiopia: Cash Based Intervention Expert

Cash Based Intervention Expert | ReliefWeb Skip to main content Labs Blog Mobile About Us Help LoginRegister HomeUpdatesCountriesDisastersTopicsOrganizationsJobsTraining Print19 Sep 2014Cash Based Intervention ExpertJobfromUN High Commissioner for Refugees—Closing date: 30 Sep 2014 Download DOC (204 KB)

Title: Cash Based Intervention Expert

Duration of assignment:4 months from 1st of November to 28th February 2015

Context

Assistance programs for refugees in Ethiopia have been predominantly providing in kind food and non-food items to refugees in all 23 (Eritreans: Adi-harush, Mai-Ayni, Shimelba and Hitsats in Shire and Aysaita and Berhale in Afar; Sudanese: Sherkole, Bambasi and Tongo in Assosa and Pungido, Dimma, Leitchor, Kule, Terkide, and Pam-don; Somalis: Awbare, Kebribeya and Sheder in Jijiga and Bokolmanyo, Melkadida, Kobe, Hilaweyn and Buramino in DolloAdo) refugee camps. During the past years with markets developing and strengthening in Ethiopia, UNHCR and other Operational partners (WFP) have been discussing various possible options of introducing cash interventions as a tool for addressing the needs of refugees and others of concern.

Both the 2011 UNHCR/WFP impact evaluation on food assistance and the 2012 joint assessment mission recommended UNHCR/WFP to explore possibilities of providing cash or vouchers. Cash-based interventions have the potential to bring protection benefits through the dignity of choice, while reducing the operational costs associated with the delivery of in-kind assistance.

A series of joint WFP-UNHCR assessments that were conducted in 2012 and included macro and micro market assessments, as well as beneficiary consultations, indicated the possibility for a pilot cash distribution. Two camps from the Somali region of Ethiopia, Sheder and Aw Barre, were selected to pilot the combined cash and in-kind food distributions. The intervention modality and camp selections were done in close consultations with the Government of Ethiopia’s refugee agency, Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA). Implementation of this was initiated in the second half of 2013 and is ongoing. An additional camp was added to this pilot series in May 2014(Bambasi refugee camp).

Apart from food assistance refugees have other unmet needs that require attention. Field experience has shown that the in-kind provisions of support for refugees and persons of concern is constrained by various factors: limited capacity of acquisition of resources, context disparities of people receiving assistance, challenges of availing resources on timely basis etc. Hence, UNHCR is looking for alternative forms of assistance, such as direct engagement of refugees and other persons of concerns though direct cash transfer or voucher based assistance. Cash-based interventions are increasingly being recognized as a response modality that can help meet humanitarian needs while promoting the principles that guide the work of the UNHCR. Specifically:

· UNHCR is committed to protecting basic human rights, including the right of refugees and other persons of concern to live safely and with dignity.

· UNHCR will employ a rights and community-based approach, which is participatory and promotes self-reliance.

· UNHCR will implement interventions that respond to changing needs while drawing on refugee capacities, local resources, materials and methods (including avoiding regimented refugee settings).

The ongoing direct cash delivery program is supporting refugees in terms of accessing preferred food, dietary diversification and food consumption score. This experience coupled with the Ethiopia government cash first in humanitarian responses policy and donor interest would be an advantage for UNHCR to pilot and rollout cash/voucher based assistance for refugees and persons of concerns. Therefore, the multi factor cash assistance would bridge most of the gaps thus ensuring optimal outcomes in the health, nutrition and wellbeing of the refugees.

Scope of work and reporting structure

The scope of work of the Cash Based Intervention (CBI) Expert will be toexplore the feasibility of the expansion of CBIs to include a mixed modality (cash + in-kind) covering other unmet needs that affect the effective utilization of the food assistance provided in Ethiopia (since it is sold) 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 Jijiga and Assosa sub offices where combined cash and food assistance is already in place thus the multi sector combined intervention would take a further step towards providing an expanded all round cash program. 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 Nairobi to ensure that activities and lessons learned in the region are captured. The consultant will be based in Addis Ababa and undertake missions throughout the country as required. The consultant will be working closely with the food security focal point in Addis Ababa and training him during the consultancy to ensure the taking over after departure.

Functional Statement

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

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.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.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.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

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, registration, ICT, supply, admin/finance, nutrition/food security and other staff as required.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.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.The expert will assess three camps (Awbarre, Shedder in Jijiga and Bambasi in Assosa) where the combined cash and food assistance is in place. The expanded intervention will complement this and guide the impact assessment of the multifactor cash approach. The assessment will include the following activities:Identify unmet needs in addition to the combined food and cash based intervention

-assess beneficiary preferences and any potential protection issue linked with a change in assistance modality ;

verify beneficiary physical access, to ensure that households have continuing/easy access to markets;assess the security issues linked with the CBIs to be introduced and undertake risk analysis and mitigating factors;undertake market research to assess if local markets can meet refugees’ need 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…);assess the capacity, availability and willingness of retailers to use vouchers, if applicable and technological solutions for their use;assess the availability of financial systems for cash transfer (including mobile phones, microcredit institutions, banks, post offices, etc.), potential financial partners, and their capacity;assess and pre-identify implementing partners;evaluate the cost-efficiency and cost effectiveness of the possible shift from in-kind food assistance to CBI and among the different delivery mechanism.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:targeting strategy, methodology and criteria;identification of beneficiaries, including persons with specific needs, and risk mitigation measures to ensure no exclusion;protection risk analysis and corresponding mitigation measures;Monitoring matrix including definition of data collection tools, indicators and targets to measure and analyse programme performance, trends and target interventions. For CBI in the context of food assistance, 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.data protection risks and procedures to reflecting UNHCR’s draft policy on information sharing and data storing processes with IP and financial service providers;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).Support the country office in providing feedback to partners in the design of appropriate and feasible cash-based interventions, taking into consideration UNHCR guidelines and the importance of considering protection benefits and risks.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 shared objectives with Partners, e.g. WFP.Support Country Office management to engage and inform government and donor stakeholders, ensure they are appropriately involved and kept up to date on developments.If time allows, support the CO to take concrete steps toward the implementation of CBI (signing of agreement with partners, financial service providers, etc.).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 is an advantage.Excellent knowledge of English. (Written and spoken)How to apply:

UNHCR Ethiopia is looking for a Cash-Based Interventions Expert based in Addis Ababa with frequent travels to the field. The consultancy is for four months, starting on the 1st of November 2014. Interested candidates should submit their UN history form (P-11) here attached + a covering letter in English to chika@unhcr.org clearly stating "CBI Expert Ethiopia" in the subject line. The deadline is the 30th of September 2014.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Thank you

UNHCR CBI Team

Job ID: #693139 Training categories: Administration/HRFinance/Accounting/Auditing Country: Ethiopia City: Addis Ababa Organization: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Theme: Humanitarian Financing Job years of experience: N/A Job type: Consultancy HomeUpdatesCountriesDisastersTopicsOrganizationsJobsTraining About Us Help ReliefWeb Informing humanitarians worldwide. A service provided by

ReliefWeb has been the leading online source for reliable and timely humanitarian information on global crises and disasters since 1996.
Learn more about ReliefWeb

ReliefWeb is hiring

Are you interested in working with ReliefWeb? Do you have a passion for humanitarian issues, web technology and information management? We’re seeking two highly motivated people to fill two very...

Visit the blog Connect With ReliefWebReceive news about us Related Sites Submit Content

Share information through ReliefWeb to better inform humanitarians worldwide.

How to submit content Tools API - Real-time data stream to power next-generation apps. Location Maps - Country maps for your reports and presentations. Humanitarian Icons - Ready-to-use symbols and icons. Free download. RSS - Subscribe to information finely tuned to your needs. Support & Feedback Forum - Get answers and help us improve ReliefWeb.