Cash-Based Transfers Study Consultant

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill a consultancy position of Cash-based Transfers Study Consultant, based in our Country Office in Khartoum, Sudan for 9 months.

Background:

In 2009, WFP Sudan launched Cash Based Transfers (CBTs) as WFP corporately shifted from food aid to food assistance. In 2015, the total transfer value reached over USD 36,000,000 for beneficiaries under the general food distribution scheme.

There is a growing body of evidence on efficiency and effectiveness of conditional and unconditional cash transfers for addressing humanitarian needs, in particular food and nutrition needs. However, until recently, the lack of a regulatory framework hampered the development of electronic banking transfer and mobile money transfer in Sudan limiting opportunities for WFP to expand its portfolio into cash transfer. Meanwhile, since August 2015, WFP Sudan has successfully conducted a series of pilots of e-voucher distribution via SCOPE, assisting over 1,000 households in South Darfur. WFP Sudan plans to further scale-up e-voucher in other states and regions in Sudan.

Innovative funds committed by select donors will allow WFP Sudan to introduce a cash modality combining the application of SCOPE for managing the data of beneficiaries and entitlements on-line, and linking it with market-based innovative payment systems. In addition, WFP Sudan will place a solid mechanism to ensure that the intervention delivers food assistance in an efficient and effective manner to the targeted beneficiaries.

WFP will engage a consultant to undertake research of different modalities among in-kind, vouchers and cash, which entails a baseline survey, interim monitoring and review at the end of the pilot cycle.

The objectives for the study are as follows:

· Monitoring and review of food and livelihood security outcomes among households that receive food assistance through different modalities, such as in-kind, vouchers and cash;

· Economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery mechanisms that are applied under the proposed project;

· Effect of different modalities through a comparative analysis on intra-household, gender and protection aspects in resource control, allocation, decision making;

· Effect of different modalities on local essential food and non-food markets; and

· Opinions of the stakeholders (beneficiaries, local traders etc) and implementing agencies (WFP, local government, cooperating partners, and service providers) on the pros and cons of different modalities.

Supervision:

The Consultant will be under the WFP Sudan M&E and Performance Management Unit, but liaising closely with the Cash Based Transfer Unit, relevant WFP Sudan Area Office, and the SCOPE manager.

Responsibilities:

· Design the cash pilot baseline and follow-up survey in detail.

· Propose a timeframe, location and sample size for the survey.

· Organize the hiring, train and manage a team of field enumerators in collecting data.

· Manage the quantitative data collection and qualitative analysis for a baseline survey based on direct observations, key informant interviews, focus group interviews and juxtapose with existing M&E data.

· Manage the follow up survey based on the baseline survey, with reference to analysis and results of the interim monitoring and qualitative data collected.

· Produce an interim report on findings, conclusions and recommendations, supported by collected and analyzed data that can be used to support programming decision making.

· Draft a comprehensive final report including a budget and implementation/action plan for the scale up of the cash pilot.

· Inform all relevant units and offices on issues as they arise, when required.

· Perform other related duties as required.

Deliverables:

· Relevant training for WFP and stakeholders on data collection.

· Interim and final report detailing findings as per agreed project plan.

· Budget and implementation/action plan for a scale-up of the cash pilot.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:

· Masters degree in Economics, Statistics, International Affairs, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses as described below.

Experience:

· At least 5 years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in international humanitarian or development work or other related fields, including at least a few years of direct experience related to reviews or evaluations of cash-based transfer activities in challenging/fragile contexts.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

· Possesses methodological research skills to design and implement complex reviews. This also includes communication skills and ability to present findings in an accessible way to WFP and possibly other audiences and knowledge of ethical standards when conducting research.

· Strong expertise in cash-based transfers, preferably with WFP.

· Expertise in designing and implementing a review or evaluation.

· Experience in coordinating and managing a team of enumerators in the field.

· Sound understanding of operating in an IDP camp setting, preferably in Sudan.

· Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from colleagues and internal/external changes

· Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.

· Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.

· Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.

· Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.

· Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.

· Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.

· Good operational, analytical and problem solving skills.

· Sound knowledge of WFP’s rules and regulations

· Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs on the topic and ability to present them in English.

· Moderate to proficient computer literacy.

Language:

· English language is the working language of WFP Sudan. Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY:

Terms and Conditions
WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.
http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.
http://www.unstaffmobility.org Learn more about countries where the UN operates.

Application Procedures:
Go to: http://www.wfp.org/careers/short-term-consultancies
Step 1: Register and create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.
NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.