Purpose:

CARE Syria has experience of delivering various CVA programs in NES including within FSL, emergency, and cash for protection programming, but is still heavily engaged in in-kind distributions. CARE is seeking a consultant to support the team in more thoroughly introducing a ‘cash first’ approach, building on the experience in the organization in country and globally, and learning from the best practices of peer organizations in the same context. This should be particularly focused on assessment, project design, and set up stages, as well as operational implementation across the departments.

Scope of Work:

1. Desk review and analysis report

Covering CVA feasibility and risk analysis in NES context: To include:

• Study of market assessments, REACH data, and external publications;
• Current and previous experience in cash programming within CARE Syria;
• Peer review of NGO CVA programs inside NES along with CARE program team;
• Engagement with Cash WG coordinator along with CARE program team;
• Assessment of synergy with best practice approaches within CARE;
• Assessment of vendor capacity and systems available in the context (especially related to food and NFI items for the population).

1. Due diligence and program preparation with Program Support

• Identify appropriate modality and delivery mechanisms (cash, paper, e-voucher) with detailed risk assessment for each one (market capacity, context, stakeholders and authorities).
• Assess the potential service providers (vouchers, FSP or trader) in NES alongside Finance and Supply Chain teams.

1. Development of SOPs and tools/templates

• Review and develop SOPs for CVA implementation inside and outside of camps, including detailed roles and responsibilities at each stage.
• Introduce templates for end-to-end process (adapt and contextualise CARE toolkits).
• Set an implementation plan to transition to increased CVA programming

1. Training and team competency development

• Train the required team members to be able to deliver CVA programming from end to end, with a focus on assessment, project design, tools, and data analysis.
• Integrate key CARE approaches into CVA programming (Gender in CVA, do no harm, women economic empowerment, Protection risk assessments).

Deliverables:

• CVA feasibility and risk analysis report
• SOPs and templates
• Training reports
• Final consultancy report, with recommendations for next steps

Timeframe:

4-6 weeks with a potential for extension. Desk review can be delivered remotely, with a preference for as much time in NES as possible.

• Strong experience of CVA programming in emergencies and protracted crisis settings
• Understanding of CVA systems in restricted markets and those without banking systems
• Expertise in CVA policies and procedures – especially CARE SOPs and guidelines
• Understanding of adult learning techniques, and ability to work closely with various departments to deliver effective trainings and capacity building.
• Ability to travel to NES and stay for at least 4 weeks.
• HEAT trained, if possible, or HEAT waiver obtained