Context:

The war in Ukraine continued to escalate throughout 2023, with relentless strikes and ground fighting destroying lives, livelihoods and part of the country’s civilian infrastructure, increasing humanitarian needs. Although attacks on energy infrastructure that had driven needs during the winter months decreased in February 2023, homes, schools, water systems and hospitals continued to be attacked in the following months. From March to June 2023, fighting intensified in front-line communities making humanitarian assistance increasingly difficult to provide in an area where needs are acute. In the south, attacks on port and grain infrastructure since the termination of the Black Sea Initiative in July 2023 created additional challenges for agricultural exports from Ukraine. (UNOCHA sitrep). It is estimated that by the end of 2023 the conflict had affected 24 million people in Ukraine, while the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance increased from 2.9 million before 24 February 2022 to 17.6 million in January 2023. Humanitarian organizations in Ukraine have dramatically scaled up their operations, reaching over 15.8 million people through the end of 2023, including 1 million in areas under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation, where access was a challenge. Furthermore, an estimated 8.3 million people, including IDPs, non-displaced conflict-affected people and returnees needed Shelter and Non-Food Items (SNFI) support in 2023. The majority were in the central, southern and eastern oblasts, including in areas near active hostilities and in areas under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation. While the impact of the crisis crosses all sectors, the key challenge for winter preparedness is the damage to housing and the energy sector. In the summer of 2022, URCS, IFRC and MCTD signed an agreement to provide cash assistance to households hosting IDPs throughout Ukraine, scaling up the programme and becoming the only partner of the Ministry for its implementation covering 23 Oblasts1 from September 2022 till August 2023 (the cash for shelter project) and providing UAH 450 per month for each IDP hosted, (approximately CHF 12). On September 2022, the parties signed an amendment to increase the cash transfer amount to UAH 900 (approximately CHF 24) for the winter months effective from October 2022 to March 2023 to ensure that affected populations have access to warm, safe, and dignified living conditions, with access to essential social services.

The job purpose:

The project evaluation aims to provide organizational learning and improvements that can inform future cash interventions in Ukraine and identify key lessons, recommendations, and highlight potential areas for strengthening response capacities of implementing partner national societies and local communities. While the exact evaluation criteria will be determined later, as a minimum it will cover the effectiveness, impact and sustainability of the project.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The cash for shelter project evaluation process aims to assess the implemented activities’ effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. It will analyse the program’s effectiveness in addressing the shelter needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by supporting households financially to be able to host IDPs in Ukraine with the aim to cover increased utility costs. Additionally, the evaluation will focus on reviewing the program’s efficiency in terms of administrative processes and cost-effectiveness, while ensuring transparency and accountability in fund utilization. The assessment will measure the program’s ability to provide short-term support to the affected population and identify key learnings applicable for future cash for shelter initiatives. By identifying any gaps or challenges in the program’s implementation, the evaluation will provide actionable recommendations and learnings that can inform future programs, emphasizing improvement to financial management practices and adherence to international Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).

Communities and people affected by crisis:

• Receive assistance appropriate and relevant to their needs.
• Have access to the humanitarian assistance they need at the right time.
• Are not negatively affected and are more prepared, resilient and less at-risk as a result of humanitarian action.
• Know their rights and entitlements, have access to information and participate in decisions that affect them.
• Have access to safe and responsive mechanisms to handle complaints.
• Receive coordinated, complementary assistance.
• Can expect delivery of improved assistance as organisations learn from experience and reflection.
• Receive the assistance they require from competent and well-managed staff and volunteers.
• Can expect that the organisations assisting them are managing resources effectively, efficiently and ethically.

How to Apply:

Applications are to be submitted by 15 – May2025 (17:00 Ukraine time)

Ukraine: Red Cross Cash for Shelter Response Evaluation – Last Name, First Name).

Application materials should be submitted in English which will include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CVs) of consultant.

2. Cover letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this evaluation and three professional references.

3. Applicants will be required to provide a 2-page approach paper with review methodology and two samples of previous written reports related to cash for shelter.

4. Financial proposal: A detailed financial proposal outlining daily fees for each team member and all expected reimbursable costs

   Push here: Cash for Shelter Response Evaluation

Application material is non-returnable, and we thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process. Please take note that incomplete applications will be rejected.