Consultant on the Light Review of the Transition to the New Cash Coordination Model. Req

UNICEF Social Policy and Social Protection Section is seeking to engage a Consultant on the Light Review of the Transition to the New Cash Coordination Model.

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Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Consultant on the Light Review of the Transition to the New Cash Coordination Model

Section/Division/Duty Station: Social Policy and Social Protection Section – PG - NYHQ

Duration: 1 July 2024 – 31 August 2024

Home/ office Based: REMOTE

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection, and development. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Following the endorsement by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the Global Cash Advisory Group (CAG) was established in June 2022 to support country level cash coordination technically and in terms of capacity, with the overall aim of improving the quality and effectiveness of cash coordination. Since its establishment, the CAG developed a transition plan for the model, which was implemented by Cash Working Groups (CWGs) in the field, considering different contexts and operational realities. The plan has been put into action, and most countries have transitioned by March 2024 - countries were set in three transition groups:

By March 2023 - IASC contexts: Central Africa Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, occupied Palestinian territory, Ukraine, Venezuela. Refugee contexts: Iran, Mauritania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia.

By September 2023 - IASC contexts: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Yemen. Refugee context:  Bangladesh, Ecuador, Egypt, Jordan, Rwanda, Turkey.

By March 2024 - IASC contexts: Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Haiti, Lebanon, Mozambique, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria (Damascus), Syria (Gaziantep), Syria (Regional). Refugee context: Bangladesh (The Bangladesh CWG), Uganda.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The primary objective is to conduct a interim review of the transition to date of the new cash coordination model, assessing what has been effective and what key challenges remain that could be adjusted for the successful application of the new model following the transition. Considering variations in the model's design and application in IASC/mixed settings and refugee settings, the review will differentiate findings and recommendations between these contexts. After two years since the agreement of the IASC Cash Coordination model, it is crucial to understand the status of the transition and determine key priorities for future progress.

Objectives

1. Conduct a light review of the Transition to date: Assess successful aspects and key challenges of transitioning to the new cash coordination model to enhance effectiveness.
2. Understand how the model could better implemented and adjusted to support effective cash coordination: Consider how well the new model currently aligns with enhancing cash coordination effectiveness in different settings and how the model should continue to support over the coming years of roll out.
3. Determine Key Priorities for Future Progress: Identify key priorities for future focus for the implementation of the new cash coordination model.

Targeted audience/users of the interim review

1. -      Global Cash Advisory Group broadly and co-chairs more specifically
2. -      Cash Working Groups and their members
3. -      IASC Deputies Group
4. -      Donor Cash Forum
5. -      Global Clusters and other inter-agency for a

Scope of Work:

The initial focus of this review is to map the existing evidence at the country level on CWGs in the transition plan and other coordination mechanisms. The review will also analyse documented practices and challenges in selected CWGs (work has been done in this regard) to capture the emerging learning and promising practices.

Based on the global mapping and the case studies, plus other available literature, as relevant, an overall synthesis note will provide findings, analysis and forward-looking guidance for CAG members engagement at the country level and global level to support cash coordination.

To guide the assignment, at the end of the inception phase, the consultant/team will develop an inception report summary providing an overview of the global mapping, final agreed case studies, the supporting methodology for data collection and analysis, lists of KIs, and any relevant supplementary information.

Upon completion of the materials, a Learning Session will be delivered to an audience of selected task team members from the CAG.

Methodology

The assignment will be desk-based. It will draw on existing literature and evidence as much as possible, complemented by primary data collection with the countries of interest to supplement gaps. Key Informant Interviews may be required for some of the case studies. A small number of KIIs will also be conducted with global experts to seek inputs on critical debates and inform the synthesis note.

During inception, the consultant(s), with engagement from the CAG task team, will develop a set of high-level questions which will frame the global mapping, data collection, consolidation of the case studies and the subsequent synthesis note for example:

• To what extent was the cash coordination transition effectively implemented in targeted countries? What were the main enablers and barriers to effective transition?
• Did the transition strengthen cash coordination and how?
• Has the new model influenced the role of local and national actors in cash coordination, both in terms of coordination leadership and engagement?
• What are the major gaps/ obstacles to fully transition CWGs (ie. beyond the CAG recommendations to transition countries)?
• How can the new cash coordination model support more effective cash coordination learning from the transition in the past two years ?What has been the CAG’s role in the transition vs. accountable agencies/ CAG members? Where were the gaps and opportunities?
• What were the levels of investment by CAG chairs, donors and CAG members in the transition? Where were the gaps and opportunities?
• What are the key recommendations going forward for strengthening cash coordination?

CAG will facilitate introductions and discussions with countries regarding strategic collaboration on this piece.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

1. Inception report setting out the conceptual framing and providing an overview of the mapping and selected case study countries and the methodological approach. – By 14th of June 24

2. Overarching synthesis note of approx. 10 pages drawing from country-level evidence and consultations. This provides an overview, and outlines key experiences, lessons, emerging promising practices, and key considerations to support future efforts to support cash. – By 26th of July 2024

3. 2-page summary on top findings from synthesis report. – By 15th of August 2024

4. One Learning Session delivered the CAG members to outline key findings from this assignment.

Evidence will be synthesised from all transition countries along with experiences in selected country contexts. - By 15th of August 2024

Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree in international development, Public Policy, Protection, or a related field

Work experience:

• Minimum 10 years of previous job experience relevant to the function
• Solid experience coordinating humanitarian assistance, ideally in cash assistance or Cash Working Groups (CWGs)
• Experience in humanitarian programming and architecture, with a background working in crisis-affected contexts

Competencies/Knowledge:

• Excellent drafting skills with proven outputs
• Fluency (oral and written) and strong writing skills in English
• Knowledge of coordination policies, systems, and architecture
• Designing, adapting, or implementing cash-based programs, or reviewing/evaluating the same
• Synthesizing complex evidence and best practices into digestible recommendations
• Facilitating engaging learning sessions with diverse teams

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect:
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability.
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.