International Consultant - Feasibility, Scoping, and Road Map for UNICEF’s Application of Building Blocks to Programming for Empowerment

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Background:

According to the Joint Multi-Sector Needs Analysis (J-MSNA) and Joint Response Plan (JRP) for 2020, while the situation in Cox’s Bazar has generally improved since 2017 – the specific demographic of older adolescents and youth (15-24), especially females, remains precarious. They are the least likely to be engaged in learning activities and face greater risks of vulnerability. These documents cite that only 13 per cent (males) and 2 per cent (females) of older adolescents and youth (aged 15-24 years) are accessing learning or skills development opportunities.[1]

Older Rohingya adolescents and youth in Bangladesh are unable to access employment, have limited access to livelihoods, and are dependent on the humanitarian community for access to services and food aid. This is affecting at least 21% of the current demographic aged 15-24, particularly females.[2] Experiences and challenges are shaped by gender dimensions, with males dropping out of learning activities to search for work/income and to care for families while adolescent girls are dropping out to get married and/or because of conservative social norms. Without access to learning services and opportunities to engage in civic participation, while also being deprived of access to income-generating activities, many young people are exposed to risks of forced labor, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking. Economic stressors have also led to increased reporting of intimate partner violence and engagement with criminal elements and drug trafficking.[3]

Rohingya families are also becoming increasingly indebted as they seek to supplement what is provided by the GoB and the humanitarian community. A recent Samuel Hall Study (2020) found that three out of four (75%) households are currently in debt. [4] The study found that the most common debt driver is to supplement food rations with fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, and other food commodities. Other additional costs reported to be driving families into debt are to pay for additional services in education and health, dowry or marriage costs, and telecommunications packages. Ensuring that young people can meet their daily needs for healthy diets, at a minimum, would provide some relief and restore a sense of agency and empowerment.

In order to address the interlinked challenges faced in the Rohingya refugee camps, UNICEF is proposing an innovative approach to programming in the Rohingya camps in partnership with WFP. WFP has developed a blockchain based technology called ‘Building Blocks’ that offers multiple solutions in the context of humanitarian aid delivery and is currently being rolled out in the Rohingya camps – alongside more traditional e-voucher based systems. Building Blocks has a multiplicity of functions linked to both record keeping/issuing certificates and for the transfer of credits or tokens that can be used for purchasing food commodities. Building Blocks credits are accepted by WFP vendors that have established camp stores and farmers markets that supply fresh fruits and vegetable markets. Efforts are underway to expand the Building Blocks system to camp vendors, that sell a wider range of needed products.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The purpose of the assignment is to conduct a scoping and feasibility study on how to potentially link UNICEF’s programming in the Education and Child Protection sectors (as well as others as identified), to resource based transfers utilizing the Building Blocks system and/or other e-voucher based systems that have interoperability with Building Blocks. By identifying the most vulnerable to the above cited protection risks and linking their participation in programming for developing life skills, peacebuilding and leadership competencies, transferable skills, vocational education and training, and a wide variety of potential civic participation activities and projects – to resource-based transfers – the dual objectives of learning and empowerment are potentially achieved.

By exploring and scoping a wide variety of UNICEF programming interventions – such as learning, vocational education and training, participation, preventing GBV and harmful social norms – to the earning of certificates and Building Block credits, UNICEF can provide learning opportunities, promote empowerment, and ensure financial inclusion. The intervention pathways and solutions will need to be carefully thought out with stakeholders; including UNICEF, WFP, and key implementing partners, in advance to assess their feasibility, reach to scale and scalability. Targeting of beneficiaries will be important to ensure the most vulnerable are reached to ensure inclusive and equitable social development, which will also ensure that social-cultural considerations are respected so that women and girls feel safe and respected.

The first objective of the assignment is therefore to complete research and a desk review of the existing and potential digital applications of e-vouchers and block-chain technology-based solutions in the context of humanitarian and development work to facilitate real-time and efficient resource transfers and/or service delivery. Feasibility and scoping around UNICEF’s programming work in both the Education and Child Protection sectors will need to be explored, as well as other sectors that might have entry points such as Nutrition and WASH. For Education, special attention will be paid to lessons learned around linking vocational education and skills training, including potential livelihoods generation and layering behaviour change incentives into financial inclusion through a token/voucher system. For Child Protection, special attention will be paid to how interventions can target the most vulnerable to specific child protection risks to prevent them from engaging in child labour or child marriage through learning programmes and resource-based transfers. Mixed methods research, including a KoBo based survey and qualitative interviews, will be conducted to assess the feasibility, programming entry points, and lay the groundwork for a second stage design phase that precedes the implementation phase.

The second objective of the assignment is to undertake a participatory multi-stakeholder digital sensitization and co-design phase that builds on the work described above. This will include the delivery of a of workshop that explains blockchain technology and the potential applications in the context of UNICEF programming in Cox’s Bazar, as well as the identification of user profiles and user journeys. Subsequently a ‘road map’ and standard operating procedures document will be developed that informs the roll out of Building Blocks interface with UNICEF programming as well as the interface and options with UNICEF-HCT-MIS systems.

This assignment is therefore intended to inform and lay the groundwork for a pilot implementation stage in 2021 based on the research findings. It will target at least eight (8) adolescent and youth programming partners that UNICEF is currently working with, stakeholders from other agencies, and UNICEF programme staff in Education, Child Protection, and other sections as identified for the utilization of Building Blocks in UNICEF programming. Overall, the key findings of this mixed research , workshops, and road map will also help to inform the roll out of UNICEF-HCT-MIS, which embodies both on-line and off-line business processes for delivering resource-based assistance and commodities to the most vulnerable refugees in the camps, and other sections as identified.

Major Tasks/Milestone:

1. Desk review and practitioner interviews where possible focused on the application of e-vouchers and blockchain technology-based solutions in the context of humanitarian and development work to facilitate resource transfers and/or service delivery. Research will also focus on interventions with high usage among young people and also displaced people. Special attention will be paid to lessons learned around potential livelihoods generation and layering behavior change incentives into financial inclusion through token/voucher systems. Because literature is minimal, ability to identify and connect directly with practitioners is a must. Special attention will be paid to the capacity and interoperability of building blocks.- Remote task.
2. Design and delivery of KoBo surveys to target UNICEF and other UN implementing partners on the feasibility and relevant landscape considerations for an expansion of Building Blocks and/or layering of an interoperable digital currency/token/voucher system linked to UNICEF’s programming. Surveys also serve the purpose of identifying interested co-design partners workshops described below. - Remote task.
3. Analysis of KoBo data and development of qualitative research questions to follow up and fill data gaps.-Remote task.
4. Conduct interviews and consultations with UNICEF, WFP, and UN Women; Implementing Partners; and other stakeholders. Special focus on respondents involved in the technology and start-up ecosystems.- In-country if possible.
5. Design and delivery of a short ‘blockchain and innovative programming solutions in humanitarian response’ (remote / digital) workshop to prepare UN agencies, IP’s, and other stakeholders for a robust co-design phase. This workshop will explore the interest and applicability across sectors present in the blockchain ecosystem for engaging with system rollout and support. It will also identify user characteristics and sensitize partners on the planned pilot stage. --In-country if possible.
6. Draft implementing partner co-design and onboarding process to standardize inclusion of implementing partners, civil society, and potentially businesses/vendors.-- In-country if possible.

7. Draft a ‘road map’ that includes the timeline of co-design process inclusive of strategic alignment with evolving UNICEF-HCT-MIS and a phased scale-up that incorporates Education and Child Protection activities. This road map must include risks and mitigation strategies for a pilot implementation in 2021. All major actors identified in the plan must be aware of and supportive of their stated responsibilities. Securing buy-in must be conducted alongside road map drafting.--Remote task.

8. Final Report. --Remote task.

Deliverables/Outputs:

1. Short desk review report (10-15 pages) that identifies key lessons from digital currency/token/voucher system development and deployment with relevance to young people and displaced persons. Identification of how blockchain technology can be used to deliver solutions in humanitarian contexts and how these can be linked to UNICEF’s programming for both record keeping and transfer of entitlements. -- Weeks 1-3
2. KoBo surveys designed; respondents and deployment strategy identified; surveys distributed; relevant communication and reminders for quick turnaround time.-- Weeks 4-5
3. Brief analysis report on KoBo findings, Qualitative guiding question set for interviews with stakeholders.- Week 6
4. At least 30 interviews conducted.-- Week 7-9
5. Delivery of (remote) workshop.-- Week 10
6. Deliver draft co-design and onboarding protocols for feedback and test implementation.-- Weeks 11-13
7. Proposal for Building Block record keeping and entitlement transfer programme design and associated budget with clearly articulated applications across Education and Child Protection activities and outputs. Clear articulation of key strategies for sections to embody in their pursuit to fully embrace Building Blocks and/or UNICEF-HCT-MIS-- Weeks 14-15
8. Final report that captures the above work (desk review, KoBo survey results, qualitative data from interviews, and road map from co-design workshop).-- Weeks 16-18

Qualifications/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Master’s in economics, social sciences, peace and conflict studies, international development or closely related fields.
• At least 8 years of experience working in development work focused on the customization and roll out of technology systems for vulnerable communities. Working in fragile states or with displaced populations a plus.
• At least 5 years of experience with digital financial inclusion and livelihoods generation in vulnerable settings. Systems level understanding of the challenges facing financially excluded populations a plus.
• At least 5 years of experience delivering programming with a special focus on including and supporting women and girls.
• At least 3 years of experience with blockchain and distributed ledger technology systems. Working with and alongside teams that leverage blockchain systems is a plus.
• Expertise in, and alignment with, digital development principles.
• Knowledge of e-vouchers, local and community currency initiatives (digital and analog), including knowledge of what optimizes them for failure or success. Strong network and connections within this community of practice is an advantage.
• Experience in private sector and start-up ecosystems, including building partnerships to support development work and to create pathways of scale for entrepreneurs or cooperatives and collectives an advantage.

[1] J-MSNA, Pg. 18 and JRP, Pg. 58.

[2] https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/myanmar_refugees

[3] “SOP’s for Resource Based Intervention Using Transformative Approach to Address Gender Based Violence in the Rohingya Refugee Response”. UNICEF, October 2019. Pgs. 4-7

[4] “Beyond Relief: Securing Livelihoods and Agency for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh” (2020). X-Border Local Research Network. Pg.5

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.