Consultant for Community Engagement and Accountability in Cash and Voucher Assistance case studies – Ukraine and Impacted Countries Response

Purpose of Project and Background
The aim of the Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) approach in the Ukraine and Impacted Countries Response is to ensure the diverse needs, priorities and preferences of the affected communities guide the operations through a people-centred approach and meaningful community participation to enhance the impact, reach, relevance and effectiveness of the response. It aims to integrate CEA approaches across the response and support staff and volunteers with skills, tools, training and systems to engage affected communities effectively.

A key component is the development of a sector-specific approaches utilising cash-based programming as well as unconditional multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA). At the global level, IFRC CEA and CVA teams collaborated to develop a set of minimum actions for CEA in CVA which form the basis of the CEA in Integrated Assistance approach in the Ukraine response. These actions include community participation in the assessment, design and planning of cash-based approaches, the provision of relevant and accessible information to affected people at all stages of the cash-based programmes, the establishment of well-functioning two-way, feedback systems, community participation in the monitoring and review of programmes. The CEA approach for the Ukraine response combines in-person activities e.g. anchored in humanitarian services points (including at branch offices) with digital approaches for maximum reach in a hybrid CEA approach.

Desired outcomes
Collect and document evidence through a case study that shows the impact of community engagement and accountability in cash and voucher assistance at the regional and country level as part of the response for Ukraine and Impacted Countries.

Consultancy outputs
The following activities will be further reviewed by the consultant in cooperation with the IFRC CEA Coordinator for Europe and adjusted if necessary. The countries to be selected for the case study will be among the Ukraine and Impacted countries response.

The consultant will provide the following outputs:
1) Conduct a desk review of relevant documents, including project reports, assessments, evaluations, and other relevant materials.
2) Develop a methodology for selecting the case studies that will capture the impact of community engagement and accountability in cash and voucher assistance in the Ukraine and Impacted Countries.
3) Conduct field visits to the selected countries and regions, including interviews with key stakeholders, technical team leads and members from IFRC, National Societies (NS), Partner National Societies (PNS) and community members, if necessary, to collect evidence on the impact of community engagement and accountability approaches in cash and voucher assistance.
4) Develop a case study to document good practices that will illustrate the impact of community engagement and accountability in cash and voucher assistance in selected countries, using a standardized format that includes the background, community engagement and accountability approaches implemented, and results.

Support to be provided to the consultant
The consultant will also work closely with the IFRC’s CEA Coordinator for Europe and CEA in CVA Delegate for Ukraine and Impacted Countries Response and CEA in CVA delegate for Ukraine. These technical team members will provide ongoing support and inputs to the consultant.

Experience, knowledge, skills and languages

Required:

• Fluently spoken and written English.
• Experience in writing case studies or other forms of research-based writing.
• Excellent writing and communication skills and experience conducting interviews.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work and coordinate with various stakeholders.
• Proactive, self-starter that can work with minimal oversight.

Preferred:

• Understanding of community engagement and accountability approaches such as meaningful community participation, open and honest communication, and mechanisms to listen and act on feedback, within programmes and operations.
• Experience working for a humanitarian or development organisation.
• Experience with Red Cross Red Crescent-National Societies.

Schedule for payment of fees
To be outlined in contract upon commissioning the consultant.

Time Allocation, for budget purposes
40 working days over 3 months (1stDecember 2023 until 29 of February 2024).

Management of consultancy
- Diana Medina, Community Engagement and Accountability Coordinator, Europe Regional Office, IFRC

How to Apply
Applications are invited from individual consultants and should comprise of the following:
- Technical Proposal including methodology/approach, a brief overview of the consultant(s) relevant previous experience and a workplan
- CV - no more than five pages of relevant experience and qualifications - Financial proposal (including daily consultancy rate in CHF)

Notes
The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC, and the standard contractual terms will apply.

Travel is expected as part of this consultancy. Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost in accordance with in the IFRC’s relevant regulations.

The Consultant is expected to provide for all his/her own equipment for the assignment such as laptop and mobile phone. Consultants are expected to cover their own personal telecommunication (phone/internet) costs.

The Consultant is expected to arrange full insurance coverage, including accident and medical. Evacuation, at his/her own costs. A copy of the consultant’s health insurance policy (or an attestation letter from the insurer, must be provided to the Human Resources Department before the contract can be issued, unless the health insurance required would only be obtained once the contract is issued.

The Consultant is expected to sign and comply with the IFRC Code of Conduct