Mercy Corps

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Background:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;color: black;">Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;color: black;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">The Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS), a collaborative platform to advance a progressive vision of the potential of cash and markets assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations in Sudan. CCS is led by Mercy Corps, building on its extensive global experience as lead agency within a cash consortium, with cash coordination and breadth of technical resources. International partners include Acted, CARE, Concern, GOAL, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), each of which bring strong cash and complementary technical competencies, as well as expansive operational coverage in Sudan. The CCS also includes ten Sudanese NGOs as partners in alignment with global aid sector commitments to enhance the prominence of local actors in driving humanitarian response and recovery. IMPACT is a non-implementing partner dedicated to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning. IMPACT will support quality data systems and an objective evidence base that will be essential to CCS’ accountability and adaptive management to refine programming approaches to enhance impact as the Sudan crisis context evolves. The CCS will work closely with other consortia and actors in Sudan to deliver an effective CVA response for communities affected by the crisis.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Purpose / Project Description:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">The CCS requires support from a consultant to work with the CCS Technical Working Group (TWG) to establish an operational plan for scaling up Group Cash Transfers (GCTs) to local responders. The consultant is expected to build from the existing experiences of partners with GCTs, as well as connecting with good practices through the Localization Council. This operational plan will be inclusive of a range of local responders– both formal/ informal, as well as urban/ rural.   </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">     </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Consultant Objectives:</b><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0.0px;"><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Develop relationships with representatives of civil society, including CBOs (formal and informal), community groups, and local responders, including through regular participation in the Localization Council to shape and refine the consortium’s ability to support local actors through GCTs.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Inform and develop the strategic vision of the CCS with regard to localisation and support to local responders, within the frame of GCTs and/or capacity support.  </span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Liaise with INGO partners on lessons learned and good practices related to GCTs to shape and refine the vision of the consortium’s ability to support local actors through GCTs. </span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(75,80,89);">Support refinement of GCT SOPs based on learning and feedback from funded groups and other civil society actors and within the bounds of donor compliance and in partnership with Secretariat and partner program & MEL teams.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(75,80,89);">Inform robust selection and group prioritization criteria for GCTs that ensures risk management through the appropriate targeting, conflict sensitivity, and alignment to humanitarian principles.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Determine feasibility, success and improvements on current standards, approaches and mechanisms in place for reporting, compliance, and M&E from the point of view of groups supported with GCTs. </span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Explore and update potential risks, implications, or conflict sensitivity considerations surrounding the implementation of GCT’s based on Sudanese historical precedent and current conflict dynamics.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 115.0%;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Ensure the consortium GCT activities are compliant with donor and grant holder rules and regulations.</span><span style="line-height: 115.0%;color: rgb(75,80,89);"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Maintain accurate records of activities, prepare periodic progress reports, and contribute to donor reporting requirements as relates to CCS GCTs.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(75,80,89);">Respond to information requests, draft success stories, monitor and report on the impact of the CCS GCTs.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(75,80,89);">Engage with CCS Secretariat team (Finance, MEAL, Policy, Research & Advocacy, grant holder headquarters) and with CCS partners in the development of proposals, reports, success stories, briefs, grant/sub-grant maintenance and other tasks as assigned by the CCS Director.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 115.0%;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Participate where relevant in external representation of the consortium with various groups, including donors, UN agencies, the World Bank and local authorities where relevant/ feasible.</span><span style="line-height: 115.0%;color: rgb(75,80,89);"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Represent consortium progress to donors as well as within the Cash Working Group, the Emergency Livelihoods Cluster, other relevant clusters, working groups related to Social Protection, and other coordination fora as strategic.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;line-height: 115.0%;font-family: helvetica;color: rgb(76,81,90);">Share learning from the consortium with the greater humanitarian and development community within Sudan as well as regionally and globally, as relevant.</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 115.0%;color: rgb(75,80,89);">Contribute to thought leadership on GCT-related themes including localization, compliance, conflict sensitivity, and humanitarian ethics. </span><span style="line-height: 115.0%;color: rgb(76,81,90);"> </span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Consultant Activities:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">The Consultant will:</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0.0px;"><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Partner with local responders and CCS partners to establish a common targeting system (that also supports rationalization with support from other actors with non-CCS funds to support overall coherence and avoid duplication) <span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Partner with local responders and CCS partners to establish a common tracking system on which groups are assisted by which international partners (that also supports rationalization with support from other actors with non-CCS funds to support overall coherence and avoid duplication) </span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Develop recommendations on structures to support scaling GCTs within the CCS for discussion amongst partners </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Consultant Deliverables:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">The Consultant will deliver:</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0.0px;"><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Common targeting system (approx 31 July)</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Common tracking system on which groups are assisted by which international partners (approx 31 July)</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Develop recommendations on structures to support scaling GCTs within the CCS for discussion amongst partners (approx 29 August)</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Reporting on CCS GCTs (approx 30 September)</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Reporting on CCS GCTs (approx 31 October)</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Reporting on CCS GCTs (approx 30 November)</span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Compile learning brief and recommendations on further scaling GCTs (approx 31 December)</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Note that deliverables/ timelines may be adjusted based on mutual agreement between the Consultant and the CCS Director. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Timeframe / Schedule:  </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">1 July – 31 December 2024 (maximum of 132 days)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>The Consultant will report to: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Cash Consortium of Sudan Director</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>The Consultant will work closely with:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;">Localization Council, Cash Consortium of Sudan Secretariat, Cash Consortium of Sudan Technical Working Group, Mercy Corps’ global Cash and Markets Technical Support Unit. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Required Experience & Skills:</b></span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0.0px;"><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">BA/BS or equivalent in international studies, economics or other relevant field; MA/S preferred<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">5-7 years of international relief and development program management experience, in emergency and recovery program management<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Previous experience in supporting consortia, coordinating forums or managing/ facilitating/ influencing in network or partnership settings required<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Previous experience with focus on localization initiatives and/or engagement with civil society is required<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Prior experience in cash programming is preferred <span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Combination of direct and remote management experience required<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across multiple stakeholders<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Experience working with civil society, local authorities, national and international NGOs<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li><li style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;">Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and verbal<span style="color: black;"> </span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;background: white;border: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><span style="color: rgb(192,0,0);">Diversity, Equity & Inclusion<br /></span></b><span style="color: black;">Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. </span><span style="color: rgb(192,0,0);"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt;text-align: justify;background: white;border: none;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;color: black;">We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;background: white;border: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><span style="color: rgb(192,0,0);">Equal Employment Opportunity</span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: black;">We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.<b></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;background: white;border: none;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: helvetica;color: black;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;background: white;border: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><span style="color: rgb(192,0,0);">Safeguarding & Ethics</span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: black;">Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.</span></span></div>