Result of Service

The review will: 1. Examine pooled funds’ processes, programmatic aspects, and partner engagement (including technical support provided by OCHA Pooled Funds and AAP experts to country teams). 2. Assess the effectiveness, results achieved/impact, sustainability, and catalytic nature of Pooled Funds’ efforts on AAP. This review will cover the Pooled Fund’s efforts in 2023 and 2024 focusing on collective mechanisms and specific allocations or dedicated efforts aimed at improving AAP. With regards to CERF, it will concentrate on CERF UFE 2023 R2 and UFE 2024 R1 allocations that had specific focus on advancing collective AAP initiatives. It will assess partner engagement (including related to technical support provided by CERF and OCHA AAP team to country teams), CERF processes, final narrative reports for UFE 2023 R2, and interim programmatic updates for UFE 2024 R1. With regards to CBPFs, it will concentrate on selected examples of CBPF funding to AAP. It will assess strategy development, allocation processes, and effectiveness of CBPF-funded AAP initiatives. It will focus on gathering lessons learned and good programmatic practices across different Funds and evidence of their strategic added value.

Work Location

Remote, with Potential Travel Requirements

Expected duration

1 Dec 24 – 31 May 25

Duties and Responsibilities

OCHA’s Pooled Fund Management Branch (PFMB) seeks to hire a consultant to conduct a review of the contributions of OCHA-managed Pooled Funds – Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPFs) – to enhancing Accountability to Affected People (AAP). Carried out in collaboration with the OCHA AAP Advisor, the primary focus of the review is on learning – identifying best practices, challenges, and lessons learned – to inform future Pooled Funds initiatives and broader humanitarian efforts. The primary goal of this review is to learn and build evidence from Pooled Fund’s efforts in advancing AAP. Specifically, it will examine whether the Pooled Funds’ efforts were catalytic in bringing additional support, both financial or otherwise, for AAP, and explore the conditions that enabled/hindered it. By identifying best practices, challenges, and lessons learned, the review aims to inform future Pooled Fund initiatives and contribute to broader learning within the humanitarian system. The findings of the review will be shared with relevant learning and knowledge networks and policy forums including within the IASC to facilitate wider learning within the humanitarian sector. Target audience and key users: 1. The CERF secretariat, CBPF Section, and the OCHA AAP team. 2. Other internal and external stakeholders including the CERF Advisory Group, the Pooled Fund Working Group, donors, OCHA country offices, OCHA Protection team, Humanitarian Country Teams, CBPF Advisory Boards, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators, implementing partners, and the broader humanitarian system.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international affairs, international development, development economic, public policy, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian action and/or international development is required Experience drafting evaluation reports and/or guidance is required Experience working in the area of AAP is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is a required. Knowledge of other languages, such as French, Arabic, Spanish or Portuguese, is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.