Crisis Response – CVA Specialist Consultant

Background

FHI 360 is a global organization operating in over 60 countries, focused on advancing equity, health, and well-being through data-driven, locally led solutions. FHI 360’s Crisis Response team enhances the organization’s efforts by offering technical expertise in response to the increasing humanitarian crises worldwide. The Crisis Response team plays a crucial role in areas experiencing fragility, emergencies, and conflicts, especially where FHI 360 has ongoing development projects. Through an integrated approach, the Crisis Response team aims to improve the health and well-being of those affected by crisis by working closely with communities and local actors. FHI 360’s Crisis Response programming focuses on the provision of essential services in health, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to meet immediate needs while supporting the longer-term recovery and restoration of critical lifesaving services.

Placing a strong emphasis on age, gender, and diversity approach in its programming, Crisis Response targets the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and all internally displaced persons (IDPs). Adhering to humanitarian and safeguarding principles, Crisis Response programming ensures the safety, dignity, and the rights and decisions of program participants.

FHI 360’s Crisis Response team is responding to the humanitarian needs through the Integrated Services for Humanitarian Implementation – Ethiopia III (ISHI-E III) through an health, nutrition, WASH, and protection programming focused on decreasing morbidity and mortality among vulnerable communities. FHI 360 is recruiting for a CVA Consultant to provide technical and start up support in Ethiopia to implement the cash transfer programming under the Nutrition sector. Based in Mekelle and with periodic travel to sub-offices and field sites in Tigray and Somali, the position is envisioned for a 3-month deployment.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Deputy Response Coordinator (Programs) and the Health & Nutrition Coordinator, the CVA Consultant will provide technical support to FHI 360 Crisis Response in Ethiopia for the timely implementation of the cash transfer programming for Nutrition. The consultant will work closely with the ISHI-E III team to develop SOPs and develop best practices for this component of the project.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the formulation, planning, timely implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Cash and Voucher Assistance activities proposed as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Activity (SNA) for ISHI-E III.
• Collate and review information on financial infrastructure and available delivery
  Mechanisms, including specifically FHI360 and donor’s financial and accounting policies. Advise on preferred modalities and approaches for FHI 360 CR SNA Activity.
• Lead the development of the various steps and processes required for the implementation of CVA modality in Tigray and Somali Regions, but not limited to:
  1. Review of market assessments and feasibility analyses.
  2. Explore potential financial service providers (FSP) and/or other platforms to be used by FHI360 to disburse monthly entitlements.
  3. Propose a targeting process per the approved ISHINE III award.
  4. Propose a mechanism to verify the beneficiary's list.
  5. Develop the beneficiary selection and registration process.
  6. Support the enrollment process for the beneficiaries.
  7. Support the setting of a payment verification system.
  8. Develop the internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  9. Support the setup of complaints management and feedback mechanisms/grievance redress Mechanisms.
  10. Support the MEAL Team in developing relevant documents and tools (e.g., baseline and PDM).
  11. Supports on communication and information-sharing with beneficiaries.
• Serve as a liaison and facilitate discussions with local stakeholders, including private sector organizations, the Cash Working Group, the Cash Nutrition Working Group, and other relevant groups, with the support of the H&N Coordinator.
• Support the development and utilization of relevant tools for the post-distribution tracking, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of CVA delivery and ensure their regular rollout by the FHI360 CR team.
• Liaise with all relevant units within FHI 360 CR to ensure coordinated planning and implementation of the CVA for the SNA activity.
• Circulate relevant training opportunities and provide on-site capacity building,
  coaching and training in CVA for technical specialists (H&N, MEAL, Protection, WASH, others)
• The incumbent will perform any other duties that may arise as needed by the
  Supervising office.

Deliverables/Milestones & Due Dates:

1. Cash distribution plan, SOP, and system for Tigray and Somali Regions. Due date: TBD
2. Meeting notes from cluster meetings and relevant external meetings to be provided monthly to technical monitor and CR Senior Nutrition Technical Advisor. Due date: TBD
3. Beneficiaries’ selection lists, including database, final list, and enrollment list. Due date: TBD
4. Adapted SOP on “Beneficiary Feedback Mechanism” related to the specific supplemental nutrition activity. Due date: TBD
5. PDM and Baseline questionnaire to be completed. Due date: TBD
6. Training and capacity building plan and roll out, followed by an evaluation report. Due date: TBD
7. Final mission report and PPT presentation, including feedback, lessons learned, and recommendations. Due date: TBD

*due dates for deliverables will be updated in the signed contract

Location of Work: Mekelle, Tigray with trips to Somali Region

Travel:

• Level of Effort: 3 Months
• Period of Engagement: May to July 2024
• Travel, local per diem, danger pay, and accommodation are provided.

Timetable and Address for Submission

Proposals are due no later than 11:59 PM EDT on April 20, 2024. Required documentation listed below must be e-mailed to CrisisResponse@fhi360.org.

Required Experience:

• University degree up to master’s levels in management, accounting, economics, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in field-level implementation of humanitarian assistance programs focusing on cash and voucher assistance in Ethiopia and the Region a plus.
• Working knowledge of English and Amharic is an advantage.
• National of Ethiopia preferred.

Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience implementing cash transfer programming to respond to humanitarian multisectoral and Nutrition needs in Ethiopia and the Region.
2. Previous consultancy experience in Ethiopia and/or the Region will be a plus.
3. Ability to work independently and respond to feedback promptly and professionally.
4. Fluency in English; local language a plus.

FHI 360 Disclaimers

• FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award
• FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received
• Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360
• FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow solicitation instructions
• FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation
• FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion
• FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities
• FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition
• FHI 360’s supplier terms and conditions can be found here while our consultant terms and conditions can be found here