Job Description

Cash and Voucher Assistance Consultant (Somalia)

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Position Category: Local hire, paid in country

Posting Date: 08/05/2022

Deadline Date: 08/26/2022

DESCRIPTIONAssistance, in the form of cash and vouchers (CVA), is being programmed to address household food security and nutrition in emergencies. USAID Advancing Nutrition seeks to obtain a better understanding of cash and voucher program designs, implementation approaches, challenges, opportunities, innovations, and outcomes. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA) is relatively new and is defined by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) as “the provision of cash, vouchers, or in-kind distributions targeted to specific vulnerable groups who need additional support in order to access an adequate, diverse diet.”, As part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA) Sub-sector Review (2.5.N), USAID Advancing Nutrition (USAID AN) aims to inform and enhance supplemental nutrition programming as carried out by implementing partners, by illustrating approaches that may be replicable in similar contexts. SNA can fit within CVA+ programming, where (+) refers to complementary activities in addition to cash/voucher transfers to support specific outcomes, and in this case, nutrition. This activity is particularly interested in nutritional outcomes and how pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children under 5 (CU5) benefit from these interventions. A global mapping survey of CVA programs was carried out, which captured the basic information of who does what where, including on SNA programs in multiple countries, with additional qualitative information collected on certain programs through Key Informant interviews. Building on this information, USAID AN aims to develop in-depth case examples in a select number of countries, which provide an in-depth review of various aspects of program design, implementation, adaptations and outcomes, as well as the factors influencing this. The case examples will be developed through direct consultations with country-based implementing partners.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide country-based technical expertise and input, specifically on the development of a case example for a CVA program, through:

1. CVA+ in-country program documentation

2. Key informant interviews (KIIs) documentation

3. Case example findings report
   

   RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Development of work plan with timeline for consultancy activities

2. Review and familiarization of program data and information collected through online survey and consultations

3. Identify and establish communication with relevant program personnel (estimated 8-10 contact points),

4. Identify, collect, and review relevant in-country program documentation

5. Identify and organize program Key Informant Interviews

6. Facilitate and document Key Informant Interviews

7. Drafting of summary case example report

The consultant will provide technical expertise through the synthesis of all available program documentation and key informant interviews.

The consultant will be responsible for developing a work plan, identifying the key steps required to complete the outputs, with estimated timeframes for completion and key milestones.

The consultant will be responsible for compiling all relevant in-country program documentation, and identifying relevant program staff within the country (and abroad, if relevant to the program) for key informant interviews. The consultant will be responsible for carrying out and documenting key informant interviews (in-country only), including digital recording of the sessions. The consultant will be responsible for identification and summary of key findings from the key informant interviews and the program documentation in the case example report. Field observations of program activities, such as activities linked to conditionalities, or market observations may be included.

The information captured and reported from the in-country documentation and key informant interviews should be comprehensive and cover all aspects of the program, as well as, confirm and/or fill in information gaps from the online survey analysis. The aspects of the program, which need to be documented, include:

1. program parameters, such as, CVA modality, emergency setting and typology, target population, objectives, funding,
2. the design of the program, such as,

1. context (drivers of food insecurity/malnutrition),

2. tools or information/analysis used to inform the program design, determination of beneficiaries,

3. methodology for determining the cash or voucher dimensions (market conditions/type/amount /frequency, delivery mechanisms),

4. any restrictions or conditionality,

5. technical expertise involved in the design,

6. documentation of specialized food assistance for vulnerable groups (mothers and children), supplemental nutrition activities and/or linkages to nutrition activities (includes other related sectoral activities, such as health, WASH, agric, etc)

3. program implementation, including aspects that worked well, complementary activities or linkages, coordination with other actors (local govt, NGOs, coordination/working group fora etc),
4. challenges, lessons learned and opportunities in design or implementation
5. adaptations from the original program design, if relevant, and,
6. program outcomes, including information regarding specific attribution of CVA modalities.

The consultant will need to maintain regular contact and communication with the USAID AN team for updates and discussion on progress of outputs, facilitated through scheduled weekly check-in calls and ad-hoc calls, as needed.

The consultant will work closely with the USAID AN team in review of the process and development of the deliverables and case example report. Upon receipt of feedback, the consultant will work with the team to address and incorporate feedback to produce a revised version of the case example report for submission.

The consultant will report to the USAID Advancing Nutrition Activity Manager. 

Skills and Qualifications

The consultant will have the following minimum qualifications:

1. Master's Degree preferred in a relevant subject (nutrition, public health, humanitarian assistance)

2. At least five years’ experience working in monitoring/evaluation, with monitoring, evaluation, qualitative data collection and analysis experience

3. Experience with humanitarian response, CVA/food security/nutrition programming, highly preferred.

4. Existing relationships with cash and voucher actors and experience with CVA and Nutrition coordination mechanisms desirable.

5. Working proficiency in English. Fluency in local language required, as relevant.

6. Strong writing skills.

Salary commensurate with experience.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online by 08/26/2022.

JSI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions. M/F/V/D

If you are an individual with a disability, or a disabled veteran and unable to apply online for an available position, you may submit your request for reasonable accommodation by calling Human Resources at 617-482-9485.

APPLY HERE: Cash and Voucher Assistance Consultant (Somalia) - Available Jobs - John Snow, Inc. (jsi.com)