Cash Consortium of Sudan Financial Systems Consultancy

Description

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Mercy Corps Sudan is leading the start-up of the Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS), with international partners including Acted, CARE, Concern, CORE, GOAL, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and IMPACT, as well as ten national partner organizations. The Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS) is a collaborative platform to advance a progressive vision of the potential of cash and markets assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations in Sudan.

Purpose / Project Description:

The CCS requires support from a consultant to develop a consortium level common payment system to increase speed and efficiency of MPCA and Group Cash Transfers (GCT) delivery in Sudan.

Consultant Objectives:

• Development of the CCS common payment system.
• Work with technical leads of CCS partners by providing advice and support on FSP and liquidity related issues.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will work on three fronts, including development of Common contracting of FSPs, Development of a common aggregator platform, and providing technical advice related to FSP infrastructure and liquidity:

Common Contract

• Design and Strategy creation
• FSP Mapping and Targeting
• Development of Rules and requirements for FSPs
• Development of common procurement policies and structure between CCS Partners
• Tender development and publication
• Negotiation and contracting of FSPs
• Onboarding and training to teams
• Piloting

Common Aggregator Platform

• Development of funding strategy and securing funding for aggregator platform
• Platform Host Research
• Development of common platform Structure, rules, requirements and needs
• Development of platform design
• Development of ToR and recruitment of developer
• Ensuring streamlined data pipeline between common registration system and aggregator.
• FSP Integration
• Piloting
• Onboarding and Training

Technical Support on FSP and liquidity

• Participation and presentation of common contracting and platform at Strategy Workshop
• Supporting the CCS on technical aspects of FSP engagement and liquidity
• Assisting partners with implementation of last mile delivery pilots

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will deliver:

• Common Contract framework and system for MPCA and GCT delivery
• Common aggregator system
• Technical reporting and tracking of FSP usage, difficulties and development.
• Training on use of common contract system and aggregator system.
• Periodic reports on development, progress and description of common payment system.
• Presentations to key stakeholders on Common Payment system

Timeframe / Schedule:

October 1st – January 31st (approximately 60 days)

The Consultant will report to:

Deputy Chief of Party, Cash Consortium of Sudan

The Consultant will work closely with:

Cash Consortium of Sudan Technical Working Group, Cash Consortium of Sudan Protection Leads, Mercy Corps Cash Technical Support Unit

Required Experience & Skills:

• 5-10 years of experience leading emergency response programs
• Minimum 5 years of experience in cash-based programming, in various international contexts
• Experience working with Group Cash Transfers
• Experience working in cash consortiums
• Strong understanding of common payment systems
• Strong understanding of consortium level digital service provision infrastructure.

**Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
**Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment OpportunityWe are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & EthicsMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Keywords

emergency responsecash-based programmingconsortiumspayment systemsdigital service provision