Duration: 40 working days starting September 1st, 2020, to be completed by December 31, 2020.
Responsibilities:
The UNFPA Syria country office seeks a consultant to provide technical and strategic advice to senior management in the country office outlining key decisions focusing on:
· Clear objectives for CVA to focus on e-vouchers for essential hygiene and protection items and on multi-purpose cash for the most vulnerable women and girls, with justifications based on existing programming and gaps
· Concrete measures to integrate gender/protection/GBV risk mitigation into e-voucher and multipurpose cash assistance
· Validation or proposed updates of the targeting and selection process in collaboration with UNFPA and WFP
· Multi-channel feedback measures and data protection considerations
· Other CVA related considerations that may arise
The consultant will leverage existing CVA interventions in Syria, particularly those of WFP (UNFPA’s partner for e-vouchers) and UNICEF, and will also stay up to date on market surveys, inflation and sanctions that are all likely to affect CVA implementation. The consultant should propose adaptations and options to ensure continuity of CVA, leverage UNFPA and its partners’ presence in health facilities, safe spaces and mobile teams to ensure that CVA reaches women and girls most at risk of being left behind, without exacerbating their protection and GBV risks. A protection/gender/GBV lens is critical for this work, and will be considered equally with CVA technical expertise.
There is a strong and growing foundation of evidence on CVA, GBV and SRH particularly in the MENA region. The consultant should adapt existing tools and refer to best practices in the region as appropriate.
Duties: This is a remote/home-based consultancy due to COVID-19 restrictions. On behalf of UNFPA and guided by the UNFPA Syria Head of Office, the Syria GBV Specialist and the headquarters-based CVA Specialist, the consultant will undertake the following duties, subject to updates based on the context through December:
· Carry out an inception meeting to ensure clear understanding of the TORs and agree on expected outcomes and deliverables.
· Gather the most updated assessments from the Cash Working Group and key actors such as WFP, UNICEF and others.
· Carry out virtual meetings as necessary with country-level stakeholders.
· Consult with UNFPA staff and partners.
· Develop draft deliverables for adequate time for consultation before finalization, to be agreed with the country office.
· Modify and finalize the deliverables based on UNFPA’s feedback.
Deliverables:
The consultant should produce the following written deliverables for UNFPA:
· Short document (to be presented to country office) outlining proposed decision points as described above
· Standard Operating Procedures for two different CVA modalities (e-vouchers and MPCA)
· Monitoring plan with roles and responsibilities for the various partners
· Key Informant Interview template for qualitative monitoring of GBV and SRH outcomes, based on existing UNFPA tools and adapted to the Syria context
Core Values and Competencies:
Core Values:
Respect for Diversity;
Integrity;
Professionalism.
Functional Competencies:
CVA programming
Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender or GBV or Protection programming and/or integration
Ability to listen and integrate opinions of country office and local partner staff
Ability to communicate complex information and ideas in a simplified manner;
Strong written and oral communication skills in English;
Ability to work under pressure and to deliver on time.
Required Qualifications and Experience
The consultant should fulfill the following requirements:
- Education: Master’s degree in International Relations, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum 7 years’ relevant work experience.
B. Experience:
· Demonstrated knowledge and experience in CVA programming and monitoring related to women’s health, protection/gender/GBV;
· Demonstrated understanding of issues related to privacy, data safety/security and other ethical concerns related to sensitive health and GBV related data;
· Experience in strategic analysis and report writing;
· Familiarity with the Syria humanitarian context;
· Demonstrated organizational skills, including the ability to work independently and productively, with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
· Previous experience with UNFPA, WFP and/or other UN agencies is desirable
- Language and other skills: Proficiency in oral and written in English is essential. Proficiency in Arabic is an additional asset.
How to apply:
Interested individual consultants and readily available to take up this task must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
- A cover letter with a brief presentation of your consultancy explaining your suitability for the work and previous work portfolio, and ability to meet the requirements, method of engagement and other relevant information;
- Personal History form (P-11)
- Updated and relevant Personal CV; and
- Financial proposal inclusive of daily and lump-sum rate.
The above-mentioned documents should be submitted together by August 24, 2020 through the email link: hr.syria@unfpa.org.
PS: The subject of the email must be (Cash and Voucher Assistance CVA), otherwise, your email will not be considered to be reviewed.
Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification.