Cash For Rent Consultant - Tripoli

BACKGROUNDThe Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been assisting Syrian refugees in Tripoli since 2012 when the office was started. The Tripoli office works with several different programmatic components including distribution of non-food items and food vouchers, verification of new arrivals and distributions to new arrivals, shelter options, community development and protection.Throughout 2013 DRC has been implementing a cash for shelter, or better known as cash for rent programme to assist vulnerable families with rent contributions, acknowledging the fact that housing options in Tripoli are difficult to find and expensive. At the beginning of 2014 DRC has over 1000 HH’s it assists with cash for rent, and the final figure to be reached is of 1100 HH’s. The project is based on a conditional cash transfer modality, which presupposes a concrete vulnerability for acceptance, and then regular follow up to ensure the vulnerability is still valid. Additionally, as it is based on conditional cash all payments ( contribution of 150USD per household regardless of the rent) all households must submit receipts and contracts of rent per month. In an effort to simplify matters UNHCR has decided to annul the cash for rent component and instead provide unconditional cash to the families on the list managed by DRC. This change should take place at the end of March 2014. The main objective of this consultancy is to closely work together with the consultant cash for rent assistant, and one member of the DRC team and be able to quality assure the list DRC will hand over, and be able to provide all the relevant documentation to UNHCR. In close cooperation with the protection manager and the head of office, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: CASH TRANSFER COMPONENTS1) Following current cash for rent protocols, ensure the monthly list of March is up to date and new cases are added to the list2) Ensure a workplan is made for the current cash assistant and the consultant cash assistance on collection of proper documentation for the cases of March 20143) Deal with issues relating to the CSC cards being utilised in the cash for rent. QUALITY ASSURANCE – MONITORING1) Desk review (in the Tripoli office) of cash for rent files, and procedures.2) Quality check on cases – device a quick strategy for quality control of cases which should include field visits to randomly selected cases and desk review of files and soft copies. It is expected that a minimum of 25% of cases are reviewed and visited to ensure conditions for their subsequent assistance are still valid.3) Perform quality assurance monitoring on doubtful cases identified through the desk review4) Compile a dossier on how the cash for rent system functioned, different procedures and forms throughout 2013 to establish a clear timeline and way of operation for our donors. FILING AND DATA MANAGEMENT 1) Conduct a systematic and careful review of the files in the cash for rent system to identify gaps and missing paperwork that might be required.2) Device an appropriate filing mechanism for the: open cases, closed cases, and cases that were removed from the system. 3) Manage the cash for rent assistant and the consultant cash for rent assistant so they are able to implement the appropriate data management system4) Review, collect and organise all soft copies of cash for rent transfers or files. DELIVERABLESBy the end of the consultancy period ( 1 month) the consultant is expected to deliver: 1) A  final Cash for Rent list that comprises all the information necessary for the individuals to pass on to the UNHCR unconditional cash scheme (to start April 1st 2014). 2) All relevant documentation to the project must be available and complete to share with UNHCR( including all beneficiary files if needed). QUALIFICATIONS- Masters in Economics or Social Sciences, or relevant university degree. - Work experience with humanitarian cash transfer – unconditional and conditional cash transfers for a minimum of 5 years.- Experience with quality assurance and monitoring of cash transfer projects is mandatory – preferably work experience in this field from the MENA region.- Concrete work experience with investigations and audits an asset- Work experience from the Middle East an asset- Able to work independently and achieve results in a short time frame- Able to speak and write fluent English. Ability to speak Arabic is considered an asset AVAILABILITY 03rd of March 2014 OTHER Nationals and Internationals are encouraged to apply for this position