INTERSOS – Cash and Voucher Assistance Consultancy – Ucraina

INTERSOS sta selezionando un/a Cash and Voucher Assistance Consultancy da inserire nella sua operatività in Ucraina. Durata 4 mesi. Tipo contratto: Co.co.co. Scadenza candidature 13/04/2023

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Cash and Voucher Assistance Consultancy

Code: 60-6575

Duty station: Remote work, with travels to Odesa, Dnipro and Kharkiv

Starting date: 15/04/2023

Contract duration: 4 months

Reporting to: Head of Programmes

Dependents: non-family duty station

General context of the project

The large-scale attacks launched by Russia on February 24, 2022, triggered an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. The United Nations estimates 18 million people affected in Ukraine and nearby countries. Environment is very dynamic, mostly along several front lines with active fighting or massive artillery shelling.The unprecedented population movement created by the war stretched public services in many sectors and humanitarian needs increased drastically. The humanitarian community identified CVA assistance as the preferred modality of intervention in the country as it seems that all conditions are there for this type of modality to be implemented in the country.

An active Cash working group (CwG) is in place in Ukraine and is coordinating the response between humanitarian actors. A harmonized approach is advocated by the CwG and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the different task forces in order to define common guidelines.

INTERSOS started working on the Ukraine crisis from the beginning of the conflict, first through a regional response with operations in neighboring countries (Poland and Moldova) and subsequently within Ukraine (since March 2022). Today INTERSOS is present in Lvivska, Vinnytska, Poltavska, Odeska and Dnipropetrovska Oblasts with bases of operations and warehouses in Lviv, Vinnytsia, Poltava, Odesa, Kyiv and Dnipro allowing a wide geographical coverage. INTERSOS is currently implementing Health, Protection, NFIs and WASH interventions, funded by UNHCR, SV, OCHA, GFFO, AICS and ECHO encompassing several components: distribution of medicines to Regional Health Departments and shelters and equipment for clinics, Cash for Health, mobilization of Protection mobile teams, establishment of community-based protection mechanisms, case management for CP/PWSN cases, Individual Protection Assistance (IPA), Cash for Protection, Special Needs Fund (SNF), psychosocial support (PSS), Protection Monitoring (PM), and distribution of material assistance to vulnerable individuals and households.

Globally, INTERSOS introduced Cash for Protection as part of the Case Management process to mitigate and / or respond to Protection risks targeting survivors of GBV, Children and Women at risk and People with Specific Needs. This cash is sometimes used to cover Emergency Needs or as Multipurpose cash to cover basic needs or as cash support specifically targeted towards mitigating Protection risks. Moreover, INTERSOS has been implementing cash as part of its comprehensive approach to address beneficiary’s needs: basic needs (MPCA – Multi Purpose Cash Assistance), rent, direct protection outcomes (CPA – cash for protection assistance), health (CHA – cash for health assistance). People in need of humanitarian assistance (refugees, IDPs and vulnerable host community members) have been supported by different modalities and approaches to ensure they get access to cash assistance. Despite INTERSOS implementing cash in several countries, cash is a relatively new modality for INTERSOS and there are limited resources, processes, and tools available for replication and adaptation.

General purpose of the position

The consultancy serves to position INTERSOS to become a strong CVA actor in Ukraine, implementing a comprehensive approach to the context. The current programming includes cash for health (C4H) in Poltava, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson Oblasts, and cash for winterisation in Poltava. INTERSOS is also envisioning to implement cash for protection (DG-ECHO, pending funding availability). In this context, INTERSOS is assuming the lead of the Cash for Health Technical Working Group.The objectives of the consultancy is to provide strategic guidance and operational support for the implementation of Cash for Health and Cash for Protection, and to carry out a MPCG feasibility study through a shock responsive social protection lens (DG-ECHO funded intervention).

The consultant will report to the Head of Programmes Ukraine.

When deployed in the field, the consultant will have to follow the rules implemented in the mission by the Head of Mission, including safety and security rules. In Ukraine the consultant can rely on the logistic team of the mission to organize trips in between locations. The consultant can rely on INTERSOS staff for translation and facilitation of field visits, however will be responsible for organising their trip to Ukraine.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Specific tasks and deliverables include:

1. Develop cash for health SOPs, including:

• Vulnerability and selection criteria – Transfer values – Implementation modalities (voucher, cash transfer, cash at hand) – Monitoring

2. Following the SOPs, develop a workplan with the medical and finance team to set up the system for implementation of C4H (agreements with pharmacies, hospitals, drugs delivery service providers such as Nova Poshta)

3. Review the current Protection Cash assistance interventions and the SOPs and adapt them to international and cluster standards

4. Carry out a feasibility study for MPGC through a protection lense: Assess, analyze, and identify linkages and coordination of inclusive MPCA to existing Ukraine social protection programs through a shock responsive social protection lens. To this end, the consultant is expected to collaborate with the Cash Working Group and other cash actors. The consultant should present key findings and facilitate action planning. The report should include:

• Mapping and analysis of the current social protection system
• Recommendations for MPGC programming, and identification of linkages with INTERSOS ongoing programme
• Recommendation on implementation, including: targeting of beneficiaries 1 , establishing transfer values, transfer modalities, financial service providers, taxation.
• Recommendation on prevention and mitigation of protection risks associated with cash programming, including risks of diversion, exploitation, abuse, and harm, and ensuring the implementation of cash programming does not exacerbate pre-existing protection issues, such as discrimination, stigma, and violence.
• Consider the gender-specific impacts of cash programming and ensure that the needs and priorities of women, girls, men, and boys are taken into account in the design, implementation, and monitoring of cash assistance

5. Strengthen the technical capacities of INTERSOS staff in cash transfer programming responsible for the overall oversight of the cash transfer activities (medical, protection, finance).

6. A final report drawing together conclusions and reflecting an analysis of the outcomes (max. 4 pages).

7. Develop mechanisms to prevent and mitigate protection risks associated with cash programming, including risks of diversion, exploitation, abuse, and harm.

8. Provide guidelines so that the implementation of cash programming does not exacerbate pre-existing protection issues, such as discrimination, stigma, and violence.

9. Consider the gender-specific impacts of cash programming and ensure that the needs and priorities of women, girls, men, and boys are taken into account in the design, implementation, and monitoring of cash assistance.

Proposed Methodology:

This consultancy can be carried part-time in the country and from remote locations. Proposed methodology can include, but is not limited to:

• Conduct a desk review of relevant literature to date on cash for health, cash for Protection and MPCA in Ukraine, on current/former social protection systems in place
• Review Intersos internal project documents and cash SOPs (cash for health, cash for protection) Liaise and coordinate with cash stakeholders and actors in Ukraine, namely: Cash for Health Technical Working group, Cash Working Group, Social Protection Task Team, other cash actors
• Facilitate workshops with INTERSOS senior management team, namely: Head of Programmes, Head of Operations, Finance Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, Protection Coordinator
• Conduct field visits of project sites for identification of opportunities, challenges, and risks, and to develop actionable work plans for the implementation of cash

Required profile and experience

Education

Masters Degree in a relevant field​

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in the humanitarian sector, incl. cash assistance, required
• Previous experience in an active conflict setting highly desirable

Professional Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and writing
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent command of MS Office tools
• Attention to detail

Languages

• English
• Ukrainian, Russian would be an asset​

Personal Requirements

• Strong motivation and adherence to the humanitarian principles and the mission of INTERSOS
• Strong attitude for teamwork and collaboration within a complex organisation.
• Resource-fullness and can-do attitude
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and practically
• High resilience and stress management skills
• Strict discipline in following security instructions
• Flexibility, adaptability
• Dynamism and ability to thrive in fast-pace environment
• Cultural sensitivity
• Personal integrity

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