Home-based Consultancy for the development of guidance on the use of humanitarian cash transfers for health outcomes

In order to achieve better results for children, in a more efficient and effective way, UNICEF has recently initiated the mainstreaming and scale up of the humanitarian cash transfer modality across the organization. This has become a priority area of work under UNICEF’s strategic plan, as well as UNICEF’s agenda to increase the resilience of households, communities and systems. Within this framework, UNICEF has recently launched its first programmatic guidance dedicated to the use of the humanitarian cash transfer modality across sectors, and throughout the humanitarian programme cycle, spanning from the preparedness to the early recovery phases. In addition, sector specific guidance and tools need to be developed to support the scale up and mainstreaming of the use of HCT within each of the sector that are part of UNICEF’s mandate

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background & Rationale

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates the commitment of children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

In order to achieve better results for children, in a more efficient and effective way, UNICEF has recently initiated the mainstreaming and scale up of the humanitarian cash transfer modality across the organization. This has become a priority area of work under UNICEF’s strategic plan, as well as UNICEF’s agenda to increase the resilience of households, communities and systems.

Within this framework, UNICEF has recently launched its first programmatic guidance dedicated to the use of the humanitarian cash transfer modality across sectors, and throughout the humanitarian programme cycle, spanning from the preparedness to the early recovery phases. In addition, sector specific guidance and tools need to be developed to support the scale up and mainstreaming of the use of HCT within each of the sector that are part of UNICEF’s mandate.

Objectives and Targets

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the available guidance for UNICEF country offices, when implementing humanitarian cash transfer programmes for specific health outcomes.

Scope of the Work

While there may be evidence on the use of cash transfers for health in development contexts, specific findings and analysis are required to support the use of cash transfers for health outcomes in humanitarian contexts. In March 2018, the Health Cluster published a Working Paper for Considering Cash Transfer Programming for Health in Emergencies, highlighting the need to promote evidence and documenting experience of using the cash modality to achieve specific health outcomes in humanitarian situations.

The scope of the consultancy will be to develop a paper outlining key considerations on UNICEF’s use of humanitarian cash transfers for health outcomes, as well as develop a humanitarian cash transfer UNICEF specific workshop material, specific to the use of the cash modality to address specific health outcomes, in humanitarian contexts.

Expected results: (measurable results)

Under the supervision of the Humanitarian Cash transfer coordinator and in close collaboration with the Health in Emergencies section in Programme Division, the team of consultants (2) will be accountable for the following deliverables:

1. Desk review of all evidence available on use of HCT in health programmes and their effectiveness in meeting specific objectives (building on the above-mentioned Health Cluster Working Paper)
2. Develop a list of key priority questions, including specific gaps, related to the use of humanitarian cash to deliver Health outcomes in UNICEF responses
3. A key consideration paper, including operational aspects and building on deliverable 2, on the use of the cash modality for health outcomes, in humanitarian contexts. (including a 2 pager and a more extensive paper/guidance document (10-15 pages)
4. Translating the deliverable 2 and 3 into presentation materials/standalone session to be used in health in emergencies workshops and trainings.
5. Design and run a survey for Regional Health Advisors and CO Chiefs of Health in select countries to understand key lessons learnt, concerns, knowledge and experience gaps and capacity needs, including at least 1 webinar to present results, and a focus group discussion with the regional and HQ health team
6. Presentation in HQ of final deliverables.

Performance indicators:

• Quality of the analysis and write up of the deliverables.
• Timeliness of submission of deliverables.

Frequency of performance review:

• Regular calls on the progress of the assignment will be scheduled between UNICEF’s focal points and the consultant.

Duty Station

Home based.

Travel

3 visits to UNICEF NY HQ:

• Inception visit to NY – HQ (3 days)
• Mid-mission visit to NY – HQ (3 days)
• Final presentation of the work (3 days)

Timeframe

Estimated Start Date: 30 May 2019 to 30 November 2019

Duration: 124 Days

Key Competencies, Technical Background, and Required Experience:

2 consultants with complementary expertise are requested to team up and present a joined proposal:

Consultant 1:

• Master degree (or equivalent) in humanitarian affairs, international development, social sciences, finance and accounting or other related fields; Post-graduate degree is an asset
• UN experience. Previous UNICEF experience is an asset.
• At least 7 years of experience in implementing and managing health programmes in humanitarian contexts.
• Fluency (level C) in English. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish is desirable.
• Experience in developing training materials.
• Ability to communicate sensitively to different audiences.
• Proven evidence of writing skills.
• Experience/exposure to UNICEF country programme and business model desirable.
• Ability to work within tight deadlines.

     Consultant 2:

• Master degree (or equivalent) in humanitarian affairs, international development, social sciences, finance and accounting or other related fields; Post-graduate degree is an asset.
• UN experience. Previous UNICEF experience is an asset.
• At least 7 years of experience in supporting/ designing /implementing humanitarian cash transfer programmes in humanitarian contexts.
• Fluency (level C) in English. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish is desirable.
• Experience in developing training materials.
• Ability to communicate sensitively to different audiences.
• Proven evidence of writing skills.
• Experience/exposure to UNICEF country programme and business model desirable.
• Ability to work within tight deadlines.

Call for Proposals

The proposal will need to include at least the following elements:

1. Past experience of the consultants (CV)
2. Timeline and division of tasks between the two consultants
3. Budget: Daily rate, travel expenses (estimation/will be reimbursed on actual cost)
4. Sample of previous work

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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Remarks:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant/individual contractor and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the individual contractor/consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

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