COOPI is looking for a CVA Consultant in East Africa

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organisation fighting against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of over 270 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European Governments.

Purpose of the role

The candidate will support the development of new programs, the strategic use of CVA (Cash and Voucher Assistance), MPCA (Multi Purpose Cash transfer distributions) and lead the development of a CVA Strategy in East Afrca. As CVA Consultant, the candidate will provide technical lead on assessments, planning and technical choices, implementation modalities, development of a Strategic Document in line with COOPI CVA guidelines and associated policies and procedures.

The Outputs will include:

1. Cash Strategy DocumentA detailed strategy document outlining the proposed cash and voucher, multi purpose cash transfer assistance approach. This should include:
   • Objectives and goals of the cash strategy
   • Target populations and geographic areas
   • Delivery mechanisms and modalities (e.g., cash transfers, vouchers)
   • Implementation plan and timeline
   • Monitoring and evaluation framework
2. Training materials and sessions: To ensure all relevant personnel are equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement the strategy effectively the consultant is expected to deliver a final training for COOPI staff and stakeholders on the new cash strategy, including operational guidelines and best practices.
3. Institutional Communication Document
   • Visuals such as charts, graphs, and infographics
   • Monitoring and evaluation framework
   • Testimonials or case studies if applicable
   • Expected outcomes and impact
   • Key objectives and goals of the Cash Strategy                                                                                                                                                                                                    
     

     Main Responsibilities

Technical support and Implementation

• Support the collection and review of information on financial infrastructure and available delivery mechanisms, including specifically financial and fiduciary risks and donor policies, and advise on related opportunities and constraints;
• Support the Logistic/ Admin Department in drafting standard programmatic section of agreements with implementing partners and/ or financial service providers, with a specific attention on providers requirements of data storage, servers and privacy policies;
• Support the relevant COOPI Department in the establishment of beneficiaries data management, and data protection arrangements.

Program Development

• Develop a comprehensive framework of key standards (including outcomes, outputs, and activities) tailored to the specific context of the countries where COOPI works in the Region, addressing the geographic areas of COOPI interventions and programming. Ensure this framework is seamlessly integrated into the overall Cash Strategy Document.

Strategic and scaled-up CVA programming

• Act as human resources focal point person for program and support staff, including expatriates based in the area, assuring, in coordination with the Administrator, a sound implementation of COOPI staff policy;
• Supervise, monitor and evaluate staff in performance of their duties;
• Assess staff skills needs and organize relevant staff training and upgrading session.
• Lead the development of a CVA strategy ensuring that CVA approach is fully, effectively integrated into the COOPI Country Strategy and Programming;
• Conduct preliminary researches and collect data and relevant information on the current humanitarian context in the East Africa Region, assessing the feasibility of Cash based interventions, in the locations where COOPI is operational, and advice on effective modality(ies);
• Coordinate with Operations and Finance teams to ensure relevant agreements with implementing partners;
• Develop a Cash & Voucher Assistance Strategy and Guidelines Document and institutional communications materials on COOPI Cash Strategy for dissemination purposes;
• Develop any supporting tools that the East Africa Region programme might need to start implementing the Cash & Voucher Assistance Strategy and Guidelines;
• Assist with the documentation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learnt within the OrganizationAnalyse the potential risks and unintended consequences of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) interventions, including considerations of targeting approaches, distribution modalities, and rigorous unintended consequences monitoring. The consultant should ensure conflict-sensitivity, protection principles, and age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming are incorporated from the analysis stage onwards. Solutions should be identified and integrated into the final strategy and guidelines document;
• Assist with the documentation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learnt within the Organization.

Requirements

• Education: Relevant advanced degree in international relations, humanitarian affairs, economic development or social science;
• Experience: 5 years of relevant international professional experience working on CVA programming in humanitarian response or early recovery settings;
• Language: Excellent level in written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic will be considered an asset;
• Computer Skills: Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications, spreadsheets and databases;
• Proven experience and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CVA from a multisectoral and/or protection perspective is an asset;
• Understanding of conflict, gender age disability and protection considerations in CVA and Eastern Africa issues/trends in this area is a strong asset;
• Knowledge of and work experience in the Sudan context is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in interagency coordination is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian programme management in CVA or sectoral areas is an asset;
• Expertise in gender, protection, GBV and/or health is an asset;
• Strong communications skills;
• Experience advocating for the use of CVA is an asset;
• Professionals based in Nairobi will be considered more favorably.

Note

The application file must contain:

• The proposed methodology for the consultation (maximum 3-5 pages with Workplan annexed);
• Evidence of consulting experience in similar fields;
• The CV;
• Two references.

Please combine documents 1 and 2 into a single PDF or Word file and attach it to your application in place of the cover letter.

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organisation fighting against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of over 270 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European Governments.