UNHCR Job in Nigeria for a Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) Consultant
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in
1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of
Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. We had three years to
complete our work and then disband. Today, over 65 years later, our
organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees
around the world.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) Consultant, Nigeria Operation
Job ID: #1689861
Location: Maiduguri, Nigeria
Terms of Reference: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Sector/Unit: Cash-Based Interventions Section
Contract Type: Consultancy
Duration: 2 months (Phase I), with the possibility of 2 month extension (Phase II) dependent upon funding approval
General Background
While the overall security situation in North-East Nigeria remains
volatile, the operational context has significantly evolved in recent
months with intensified military operations by the Government resulting
in improvements to humanitarian access in Borno and Yobe states. UNHCR
has already carried out several protection assessments in newly
liberated LGAs and begun to deliver interventions in Bama, Damboa, Dikwa
and Monguno LGAs. Assessment data indicates that an additional 488,000
highly vulnerable individuals will require protection and assistance
from UNHCR between now and December 2016. These trends are likely to
continue into 2017.
In response, UNHCR is scaling up operations with an emphasis on; (a)
reinforcing protection coordination through national and decentralized
Protection Sector Working Groups (b) strengthening community-based
protection through vulnerability screening, response and advocacy (c)
improving camp coordination and camp management in newly liberated areas
in partnership with existing stakeholders (d) increasing
protection-sensitive assistance in the sectors of shelter and NFI,
specifically through the provision of transitional shelter and
distribution of essential household items (e) reducing recourse to
negative coping strategies and stimulating livelihoods through
cash-based interventions. In addition, UNHCR will continue to respond to
the refugee dimension of the crisis in North-East Nigeria through the
provision of protection, reception services and assistance to returning
refugees currently estimated at 75,000.
Given the severity of the crisis in the North-East, UNHCR is currently
providing assistance to IDPs, vulnerable individuals within host
communities and returning refugees within camps and host communities
based on vulnerability screening data. To date, assistance in all
sectors of intervention have largely focused on the provision of in-kind
assistance through direct or partner implementation. It should
nevertheless be noted that other actors, specifically WFP, have
undertaken feasibility studies and are in the process of rolling-out
large-scale cash-based interventions in North-East with an emphasis on
Borno and Yobe states.
UNHCR Nigeria would like to explore opportunities for initiating
cash-based interventions in the sectors of shelter, NFI and livelihoods,
as well as exploring the feasibility of multi-purpose cash grants for
highly vulnerable households. In the medium-term, UNHCR Nigeria will be
considering how to link emergency assistance to recovery and development
and therefore the role MPGs could play in facilitating durable
solutions for reintegration of returning refugees and IDPs could also be
of interest.
As a result, Nigeria country operation is looking for a CBI expert to
build the capacity of the office in assessing the feasibility and
designing cash-based interventions with a view to guiding programme
design and implementation in North-East Nigeria. The CBI expert will
work closely with the sub office-office in Maiduguri, while coordinating
closely with the Abuja Branch Office. Initial CBI assessments and
capacity building will particularly focus on the North-East region,
specifically Borno state where needs are greatest.
Scope of work and reporting structure
- The CBI expert will build the capacity of the country office on
institutionalizing CBIs with a particular focus on feasibility
assessments, response analysis and programme design.
- The cash-based intervention expert will report to the Head of
sub office, working closely with a CBI focal point and other members of a
multi-functional team.
- In addition, the expert will coordinate with other stakeholders
including Government and humanitarian actors well as the regional and HQ
based CBI officers of UNHCR. The CBI expert will be based in Maiduguri
and undertake regular missions to other field locations.
Specific Objectives
Phase I:
- Identify a CBI focal point and form a multi-functional CBI team
for Nigeria: With the expansion of CBIs in Nigeria and move towards
direct implementation of activities it is important to ensure that the
expert works closely with the relevant focal points from the Nigeria
office. The multi-functional team (MFT) will consist of staff from
various units, including but not limited to Management, Programme,
Field, Supply, Protection, Finance/Admin and ICT.
- Analyse the feasibility and available response options for
potential CBIs covering Basic Needs (NFI, Shelter etc.), Livelihoods and
support to vulnerable women and/or MPGs: UNHCR Nigeria is currently
scaling up the operational response and considering the possibility of
increasing the use of CBIs in the process. The CBI expert will assess
the feasibility and cost-efficiency of replacing current in-kind
assistance with cash-based interventions as well as the use of CBIs
during the scaling up of support in the newly released areas of Borno
and Yobe. In particular, the feasibility study will look into the
following sectors:Shelter: Shelter kits.
- Build the capacity of the office on institutionalizing CBIs:
CBIs are new to the Nigeria operation and staff require training and
capacity building to institutionalize CBIs in order to choose the most
appropriate transfer modality to respond to continuous emergency
responses. The CBI expert will identify existing skills and capacity
gaps within the office and develop a CBI capacity building plan, working
closely with members of the multi-functional team (MFT) as well as
external stakeholders, where relevant. The CBI expert will develop and
deliver a training module on CBI emergency preparedness focusing on
building the capacity of protection, programme, finance and supply
colleagues based in Maiduguri and other field locations as well as in
Abudja.
NFIs:
- Kitchen sets, mats and blankets, hygiene and dignity kits, solar lamps, mosquito nets and others.
- Livelihoods.
- Support to extremely vulnerable women.
- MPGs in lieu of the above sectoral grants.
The feasibility study should include an assessment of the political
feasibility, protection benefits and risks, delivery options and
cost-efficiency. In particular, the CBI expert will look at areas where
sectoral or multi-purpose cash grants (MPGs) will be appropriate.
Phase II:
- Support the design of a CBI intervention and develop SOPs: Based
on the results of the feasibility study and possibilities for
large-scale introduction of CBIs in Nigeria, the CBI expert will then
support the office in designing the CBI intervention and develop
standard operating procedures.
- Draft a multi-year CBI operations strategy: Nigeria is currently
facing a level 3 emergency and it is expected that support will if not
grow, continue in 2018 and beyond. The CBI expert will guide the
operation on identifying strategic linkages and synergies between CBIs
and operational priorities and draft a corresponding multi-year CBI
operations strategy.
- Integrate CBIs in contingency plans for Borno and Yobe States:
If assessments reveal that CBIs can enhance effective and efficient
emergency response, the CBI expert will work with the office to ensure
CBIs are integrated in contingency plans for the Nigeria situation.
Deliverables
Phase I:
- A capacity building work plan is established and relevant training for staff is carried out.
- A CBI feasibility assessment is completed in two states,
available response options are analyzed and recommendations are
provided.
Phase II:
- Standard operating procedures are developed according to UNHCR guidelines and good practice established.
- A multi-year CBI operations strategy is drafted and shared with management.
Qualification and Experience
- An advanced university degree in International Development,
Social Sciences, and Business Administration or in any other related
discipline.
- Excellent knowledge of English is a requirement, while knowledge of French is an advantage.
- Previous work experience with UNHCR and /or WFP is an advantage.
- Prior work experience in West Africa is an advantage.
- A minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 2 years related to cash-based interventions.
- Proven knowledge and technical skills in the set-up, design,
implementation and monitoring of cash based interventions from a
multi-sectorial perspective.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV's and/or
UN Personal History Form (P11), along with a cover letter expressing your interest in the position, to:
[email protected] Please include the position title (CBI Consultant, Nigeria Operation) in the subject line.
Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
Application Deadline 30th September, 2016.