Lebanese Cash Consurtium Strategy Consultant

Lebanon Cash Consortium - Strategy Development - Consultancy TOR Terms of Reference   Time Frame of Assignment:            30 working days – January 2016 Location:                                            Beirut Date of ToR:                                      October 2015                 Project background  The Lebanon Cash Consortium (LCC) brings together six leading international NGOs to deliver multi-purpose cash assistance to approximately 15,000 socio-economically vulnerable refugee households using a harmonised technical and delivery model. This action is directly benefiting approximately 75,000 Syrian refugees living in Lebanon by enabling them to meet their basic needs in a dignified and flexible way. The consortium uses inter-agency agreed upon targeting methodologies to identify socio-economically vulnerable households for assistance. Targeted households will receive multi-purpose cash assistance on a monthly basis to meet essential food and non-food needs in line with the inter-agency agreed Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (SMEB) of approximately $175 per month. The consortium uses the one-card system to deliver cash assistance to beneficiaries, in line with the optimal operational set up recommended by the inter-agency led analysis conducted by Avenir Analytics. As such, the consortium fully complements WFP-led food voucher assistance. This model is has been piloted by the LCC with DFID funding and scaled up through ECHO funded support. Through robust monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems, the LCC has been developing evidence and lessons learned to contribute to wider learning on multi-purpose cash programming in Lebanon and beyond.   Scope Responsibilities The scope of this consultancy is to work with the committees that make up the management structure of the Lebanon Cash Consortium – especially the Steering Committee; and develop an LCC strategy encompassing four main components: Programme design; Operational Platform (LCC structures); Advocacy; Fundraising.   Methodology To accurately address the key question raised above, the LCC propose that the consultant uses the following sources of information: The work would incorporate the following steps: A. Desk Review and Key Informant Interviews             i.      Build context analysis;            ii.      Stakeholder mapping;            iii.      FGDs with vulnerable communities (target groups) to look at perspectives of exit strategy and future needs   B.Workshop with Implementers;            i.      Workshop to understand perspective of LCC among implementers, and those acting as the frontline service providers to beneficiaries;            ii.      Generate recommendations from the implementers about potential gaps in LCC programming, or areas to easily add value;            iii.      Generate recommendations from implementers on structure of LCC and whether an increasing role could be found for local organisations;   C. Workshops with MEAL Group, Technical Management Group and Steering Committee:        i.      SWOT analysis;        ii.      Developing the strategic priorities, initiatives and goals;       iii.      Setting the strategy and work plan, defining the budget and identifying the areas for resource mobilization, as well as setting mechanism for strategy review;       iv.      Risk analysis and contingency planning;       v.      Establish level of commitment from each agency to LCC, therefore helping to establish realistic objective settings;       vi.      Establish and prioritise the objectives of the Steering Committee;      vii.      Look at the internal structure of the LCC and whether it is an inhibitor or activator of the defined objectives.      viii.      Rolling out the Strategy, to be considered as a part of the next phase D,Workshop with Communications and Steering Committee       i.      Building on advocacy messages and developing advocacy strategy;      ii.      Reviewing fundraising model and undertaking SWOT analysis;     iii.      Develop Fundraising Strategy.   E. Discussing with external stakeholders          i.      Meeting with external donors, UN & NGOs  to discuss how they have found communication with the LCC, its potential and how it can support the humanitarian effort in Lebanon;          ii.      Looking at other ways LCC can partner with various entities outside of increasing full membership;          iii.      Meeting with other potential stakeholders such as GoL, World Bank, other sector working groups etc.   Objectives and Output Overall Objective: Develop a comprehensive Strategy (2016 – 2018) for the Lebanon Cash Consortium (LCC) to effectively contribute to cover the basic needs of the economically vulnerable households in Lebanon Specific Objectives: Programme design: Develop / Build with the Committees a common vision for the LCC for the next two years (ambition, goals, scope etc.); Develop / Build on the TMG and research work a programmatic approach for the LCC and associated costs;  Identify areas for innovation/ piloting of new approach to ensure LCC programming corresponds to the evolving needs and associated costs; Develop / Build an exit strategy (could include steps or scenarios linked with the size of the LCC funding); Operational Platform (LCC structures): Identify operational/governance implication for above mentioned (structure, staffing etc.) and associated costs; Develop / Build with the LCC members a common identity and key shared principles; Look at whether the geographical and thematic split of roles makes sense and leads to effective and efficient programming; Undertake a risk assessment and develop contingency plans with the Technical Management Group and Steering Committee (i.e. scenario in which funds could be redirected, beneficiaries reprioritized or program suspended); Develop partnership strategy; Advocacy: Develop an advocacy strategy for the LCC (towards key actors including donors, local authorities and UN/peer agencies); Fundraising: Develop / build on steering committee work to develop a fundraising strategy and fundraising objectives for the next period; Overall: Develop a work plan to implement the strategy with a clear identification of members/staff responsible for the outputs.  Expected Outputs Report on findings from workshops with different internal and external stakeholders; Written Strategy for the LCC (and related cost estimation/fundraising target) ; Advocacy strategy and related talking points; Fundraising Strategy; Presentation of findings to Technical Management Group and Steering Committee.   Essential Competencies required  The strategy can be led by one consultant or a team of consultants that must however meet the criteria set below: Demonstrable experience of cash operations; Demonstrable experience of strategy development; Proven capacity to facilitate workshops; Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically; Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner, and to use innovative forms of communication; Proven demonstrable experience in fundraising and advocacy; Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy; capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances; Knowledge of Lebanon; Fluency in English, for oral and written communication – fluency in Arabic a significant advantage.