Consultancy for the Development of Two Country Case Studies on the use of Cash Transfer Programming in Education in Emergencies

Consultancy for the Development of Two Country Case Studies on the use of Cash Transfer Programming in Education in Emergencies.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

Education Cluster Coordination Section, EMOPS

Duty Station: Home-based with travel to Geneva and to two countries (Democratic Republic of Congo & Somalia) where case studies will be conducted.

Start date:  1 May 2018

Duration:  50 days over May-August 2018

Type of contract: Consultancy

Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is to undertake two in-depth case studies of current practices in CTP in EiE in DR Congo and Somalia, to capture promising practices and lessons on potential use of those practices in similar contexts. Case studies will contribute to the overall study and recommendations.   

Context and Rationale

With global displacement at an all-time high, and complex and protracted crises affecting more lives than anytime in in recent history, identifying and promoting ways to help children and youth maintain education has increasingly been recognized as an urgent priority. The Global Education Cluster (GEC) is a partnership of NGOs, UN agencies and other organizations which seeks to improve coordination of and galvanize support for education in emergency (EiE) responses. Established in 2007 by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee under the cluster approach, the GEC is the only cluster co-led by a UN agency, UNICEF, and a NGO, Save the Children.

 The GEC is focused on strengthening the capacity of Education Clusters/coordination teams at the country level so that they can support the development and delivery of predictable, timely, effective and appropriate EiE responses.

The use of cash transfer programming (CTP) in humanitarian and development settings have seen significant increase over the past year, and global commitments such as the Grand Bargain are further garnering support for cash.  In a time of constantly increasing humanitarian needs, CTP is positioned to lessen the gap between needs and resources through increased efficiency and effectiveness. CTP not only offers beneficiaries more flexibility and dignity to meet their needs, it also has a positive impact on local economies.

CTPs have been used in the education in emergencies space to tackle issues around school materials and access to learning such as the payment of school and exam fees. The Education Sector is also working to identify the most appropriate way of using multipurpose cash grants to ensure necessary sectoral outcomes, and considering ways to complement CTP with other sectoral activities. 

The GEC is providing dedicated support on cash transfers in education in emergencies, including research to better articulate the understanding of how cash transfers work in education. In 2018, GEC will undertake a study on the use of CTP to achieve education in emergencies outcomes which this case-studies consultancy will contribute towards. The overall study will be centered on the following questions:

• When is CTP the best modality to deliver education assistance, and when a combination of modalities is preferable?
• Which elements need to be taken into account when calculating the education-related component of multipurpose cash transfers?
• How are the education-related costs of the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) calculated?

The overall study will include the following components :

1. A desk review of current practices on the use of CTP in the education sector, from humanitarian and development contexts, developed by the GEC;
2. Country case studies from humanitarian contexts, including contexts with functional markets and education services, and contexts where availability of services is limited and are in protracted crises;
3. Recommendations and checklists for CTP in EiE.

The GEC will establish a reference group in order to ensure that the study meets the information needs of the intended audience, to provide quality assurance and technical advice.

In support of this effort, the GEC is seeking the services of a senior consultant to conduct two distinct case studies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in Somalia. The main criteria for the selection of the two case studies are: existence of functioning education coordination mechanisms and Cash Working Groups, existence of current or recent CTP in EiE programs, well-differentiated programs between the two countries.

Methodology & Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Based on the multi-country desk review, the analytical framework will be contextualized for the specific studies, including country specific research questions around key criteria to be defined during the inception phase. Qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis will be used, including triangulation of findings.

The consultant will be expected to structure their work in four phases:

• Inception phase: adaptation of the general analytical framework to the country contexts, development of research tools and protocols, followed by an inception report;
• Data collection: review of available secondary data and collection of additional secondary data; remote and / or in-country key informant interviews, at the national and sub-national levels;
• Data analysis based on the agreed analytical framework; and,
• Synthesis of collected data and drafting of the final case studies.

Deliverables

The deliverables for this consultancy are:

• 1 inception report, including research and analytical tools;
• 2 country case study reports;
• Presentation of findings; and,  
• Contribution to the final report for the overall study.

The exact dates for the submission of deliverables will be defined during the inception phase.

Supervision & Work Arrangements

The consultant will work under the supervision of the GEC Coordinator in UNICEF, in close collaboration with the GEC Cash Advisor.

The assignment is a combination of home-based and in-country work, with travel to Geneva and to the two countries where case studies will be conducted. The consultant is expected to work in team with the GEC Cash Adviser.

The consultant will need to organize his / her own travel to countries, including ticketing and visa. His / her expenditures related to the travel will be reimbursed based on the most direct and economical route in economy class. UNICEF will pay the daily subsistence allowance as per UN-approved rate. The consultant must be fit to travel, be in the possession of a valid UN DSS Basic and Advanced Security certificate, have all the obligatory vaccinations and possess valid own travel / medical insurance with hospitalization and repatriation coverage. The dates for the travel will be determined in consultation with the two countries and the GEC Cash Advisor.

UNICEF will provide support to schedule meetings with relevant stakeholders. The consultant will use his / her own computers and communications equipment (laptops, phones, etc.).

Performance Indicators for the evaluation of results

• Regular information update on work progress to the GEC Cash Advisor.
• Timely delivery of draft and final reports according to the schedule agreed upon.
• Satisfactory quality of the final report.

Performance will be closely monitored throughout the duration of the consultancy through regular conference calls between the GEC Cash Advisor and the consultant. Performance will also be analyzed after delivery of the final report and before final payment.

Qualifications

The consultant should meet the following requirements:

• An advanced university degree in social sciences.
• Minimum of eight years of relevant work experience, including in cash transfers in emergencies, multipurpose cash transfers, ideally with experience or exposure to cash transfer programming in education; demonstrated experience in emergency settings.
• Expert knowledge of the literature pertaining to emergency cash transfers.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing and communication skills.
• Previous involvement in research projects, with proven track-record of publications.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders with competing schedules and to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Familiarity with humanitarian clusters an asset.
• Strong English writing skills; working knowledge of French.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.

Timeline & Payment Schedule

Deliverable will be conducted over 50 days of work in a four-month period by an individual consultant, from beginning of May to end of August 2018.

Payments will be made as follows:

• 25% upon the delivery of the inception report, including research and analytical tools
• 25% upon the delivery of the two country case studies
• 50% upon the delivery of the final presentation and of the contribution to the final report of the overall study, at the end of the consultancy.

To Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to attach cover letter with their application, CV and P11 form & examples of previous, relevant work. In your cover letter, please indicate your availability and daily rate (in US$). Travel costs will be reimbursed as per UNICEF rules and regulations. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.