CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT UNICEF’S EMERGENCY CASH PROGRAMME IN DOMINICA

Moscow

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Moscow
Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Medical Practitioners
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Emergency Aid and Response
- Cash-Based Interventions
- Emergency Programme
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: Closed

On 18 September 2017, Hurricane Maria, a powerful Category 5 hurricane made land fall in the island country of Dominica causing widespread destruction along its path to a total population of 70,000. It left an estimated 19,800 children in Dominica in need of assistance, safe drinking water being an urgent requirement; caused widespread destruction to the education sector, leaving 13,500 school-aged children out of the classroom; resulted in an undetermined number of children among the 2,832-seeking refuge in official shelters; and put the population, including children at risk due to the possibility of outbreaks of leptospirosis, dengue, tetanus and gastroenteritis. Together with Government, the UN System and Development partners, and civil society we are ensuring that children and their families have access to basic services and social protection. Houses and key infrastructure was damaged and normal life came to a standstill. While detailed assessments are still in progress, some immediate life-saving assistance is being provided by humanitarian agencies. UNICEF recognizes the role of cash transfers in supporting the immediate needs of the affected households and in facilitating the recovery of the local economy. The country has an existing social protection system that provides a regular monthly cash transfers to vulnerable households through the village council structures. UNICEF has ongoing work on social protection in Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA) and sees the use of humanitarian cash transfers in Dominica as an important strategy to initiate government efforts to make existing social protection systems in ECA stronger and responsive to predictable shocks.

UNICEF recognizes the role of cash transfers in supporting the immediate needs of the affected households and in facilitating the recovery of the local economy. The country has an existing social protection system that provides a regular monthly cash transfers to vulnerable households through the village council structures. UNICEF has ongoing work on social protection in Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA) and sees the use of humanitarian cash transfers in Dominica as an important strategy to initiate government efforts to make existing social protection systems in ECA stronger and responsive to predictable shocks.

Purpose of the Assignment

Under the supervision of the Emergency Coordinator based in Dominica, manage the humanitarian child grant cash programme in Dominica in close coordination with other stakeholders. The position will be guided by the Social and Economic Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF ECA to ensuring that the cash programme will link to mid-term and long-term social protection programming in Dominica.

Assignment Tasks

No.	Major Duties and Tasks, and Responsibilities	Expected Deliverables
40%	Ensure smooth implementation and coordination of the cash programme Work closely with other stakeholders (namely Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Social Services and WFP) to identify households for humanitarian cash transfers; Manage the implementation of the program and readjust it in case needed Work in close collaboration with Department of Social Welfare to ensure smooth disbursement of the funds every month and address any bottlenecks Support with fund raising efforts if needed to ensure continuous funding of the program Work closely with WFP to supervise the third party monitoring entity activities Production of advocacy materials to inform decision making internally and externally Ensure internal coordination within the UNICEF Dominica operations between the unconditional cash activities and the other sector efforts Ensure internal systems support the smooth and timely transfer of funds to the Department of social welfare. Provide technical support to the Department of social welfare in implementing the humanitarian cash transfers	Unconditional cash distribution are implemented. Funds are disbursed the disbursements schedules Unconditional cash are included in the office program strategy. The program is continuously funded. Close Relationship with Govt and WFP is maintained.
15%	Represent UNICEF ECA in Dominica operations in the cash coordination forums, and internally to other office sections Participate and regularly present at different meetings UNICEF activities and positions on humanitarian cash transfers and social protection system strengthening Develop links and provide technical support to other sections; strengthen coordination within the office on this issue;	Views, positions and updates on UNICEF humanitarian cash child grants are shared and explained regularly.
15%	Contribute to the efforts to strengthen shock responsive social protection systems in ECA guided by the Social and Economic Policy Specialist. Gather data and produce analysis to inform, efforts to build shock responsive social protection in Dominica in particular. Document the process of using the existing social protection for delivering humanitarian cash transfers in the form of a case study. Contribute to the discussions around a strategy that strengthens longer term social protection scheme with the government In close coordination with the Social and Economic Policy Specialist develop a detailed plan for influencing the existing social protection system for shock responsiveness Initiate efforts on the ground to operationalize the influencing plan	Preparation of at least 1 analytical piece on outcomes of cash programming on children’s lives. By the end of the term prepare a detailed report clearly laying down the steps followed in using the SP system for cash transfers, challenges faced and how these were overcome. Periodic Inputs provided to the social and economic policy specialist’s efforts on shock responsive social protection in ECA.
15%	Supervise and support monitoring and evaluation activities An external final evaluation of unconditional cash distributions A comprehensive monitoring system is developed with the third-party agency to ensure quality monitoring of all UNICEF funded cash distribution in collaboration with implementing partners	Monthly monitoring reports are produced by the third-party entity. Internal monthly monitoring report are produced. A final evaluation report is produced: findings including impact of the unconditional cash distributions, lessons learnt and recommendations are analyzed and shared with the key stake holders.
15%	Provide the operational management of the program, ensure that adequate operational measures are regularly adjusted risk management and mitigation measures Liquidation process Financial reporting	Assurance that program follows UNICEF internal operational rules, disbursements to partners are made on time, risk mitigation measures are in place and regularly updated

Duration:

The contract period will be for six months.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

Advanced University degree in International Relations, Public Administration/Public Policy, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Social Sciences, or a related technical field.

Years of relevant experience

Five years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in humanitarian response, including experience in early recovery. Of these at least 2 years must be on experience in emergency cash programing.
An understanding of social protection and in particular social protection systems is desirable

Language Proficiency

Fluency in both written and spoken English, and another UN language as a strong asset.

Other QualificationsProven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute complex processes across a wide range of stakeholders.

Advanced ability to work quickly and under pressure
Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

SUPERVISION:
The Programme Specialist will report to the ECA Social policy the duration of this assignment and collaborate with the emergency coordinator in Dominica to facilitate reporting. The incumbent will be supported too by RO/HQ based specialists upon request.

HONORARIA & FEES:

Applicants are requested to submit an economic proposal for the consultancy. Please base your cost estimate on one month in market. Please make sure fees, living costs and any travel costs are included.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
Prior to commencing the contract, an Individual Consultant will be required to submit a statement of good health, accompanied by a recent Medical Certificate which indicates that the Consultant is fit for work and travel. In addition, the Consultant is required to certify in the Health Statement that he/she is covered by medical/health insurance. The statement includes confirmation that he/she has been informed of any inoculation required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized, and the Consultant must take full responsibility for the accuracy of the statement.

RECOURSE:
UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered, or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

This vacancy is now closed.
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