Research Consultant on Cash for Protection Outcomes - Beirut

Background/IRC Summary: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working around the world, addressing immediate and life-saving needs of conflict affected people and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. The IRC has been working in Lebanon since 2012 to provide support to refugees and vulnerable host community members. Since 2015, the IRC is implementing a protection cash program that aims at supporting vulnerable populations to safely access cash assistance when confronted with urgent and unexpected financial shocks.

Scope of Work: The research consultant will review the IRC’s existing cash for protection programming and set forth recommendations to enhance the achievement of protection outcomes through cash programming. This will require a review of the standard operating procedures (SOPs), eligibility criteria, and post-distribution monitoring tools. The consultant will conduct key informant interviews with stakeholders including staff and crisis affected populations to better understand how cash assistance can improve safety and dignity for IRC’s clients. The outcome of this process will be clear recommendations to enhance the use of Cash Based Interventions (CBI) in protection programming, including a review of existing targeting criteria and MEAL tools which seek to measure protection impact and/or outcomes of cash based interventions.

• Conduct a desk-review of global best practice for CBI in protection programming, including a review of the “cash plus approach” and monitoring tools in order to provide recommendations as how the IRC can utilize such an approach.
• Conduct a desk-review of the IRC Lebanon’s internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for CBI, Monitoring and Evaluation tools, data and Lebanon Protection Sector Specific Guidance.
• Conduct key informant interviews with clients who received CBI and key protection staff including Cash for Protection Officers, frontline field staff, case workers and legal teams working with CBI.
• Provide the IRC with recommendations on how to refine existing targeting criteria based on vulnerability and protection risk. Including through developing guidance for staff on how to distinguish between basic needs and protection needs, and how to determine when the deprivation of a ‘basic need’ has reached a level of severity that it should be addressed by an emergency protection response, coupled with referrals.

• Further refine the IRC’s existing monitoring and evaluation tools more accurately capture to what extent CBI can lead to enhanced protection outcome.
• Review to what extent clients who received CBI are successfully linked to other services via referral pathways; and determine how linkage to a broader package of services can be mainstreamed in call CBI.
• Evaluate and provide recommendations on the use of CBI interventions to respond to eviction risks and confiscation of documentation. Ensure that CBI can be align with ‘do no harm approach’ and/or red-lines for use.

1. 1. Updated IRC internal SOPs in line with recommendations developed, including with a focus on the use of CBI alongside legal mediation and referrals. If required, based on the review, updated targeting criteria and assessment tools to support staff to delineate ‘protection needs’ and ‘basic needs.
   2. Update post-distribution monitoring tools to better measure/reflect how CBI influence protection outcomes.
   3. Half day validation workshop with key staff on results. Following validation workshop, summarize key recommendations in concise 3-4 page overview, with updated SOPs and MEAL tools annexed in a format that can be shared with key donors and other protection actors providing cash assistance in Lebanon.
   4. 2-3 hour workshop with frontline staff engaged in key cash for protection programming on key guidelines and approaches in using case to achieve protection outcomes and in line with the do no harm approach.

Education:

• Bachelor/Degree, may include: Finance, Business, Social Sciences, Economics.

Work Experience:

• • At least 4 years previous experience working on cash programming in a humanitarian context.
  • Strong experience in monitoring and evaluation.
  • Experience in protection programming is highly preferred.
  • Strong report writing and drafting skills required.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• • Strong Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation methodologies and tools
  • Proven record that demonstrates research skills including on cash -based interventions.
  • Possesses foundational knowledge of the cash-based programming.
  • Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure.
  • Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook,
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, data protection protocols at all times.

Language Skills:

Strong written and verbal English language is required. Arabic language skills is an asset.

• Consultancy basis with office working environment when applicable
• Field visits when required.
• May be completed remotely