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Comparative Learning Study on Cash Consortium Models in East Africa and the Horn

Concern Worldwide

Published

06 Oct 2026

Organization: Concern WorldwideClosing date: 23 Oct 2026Consultant Opportunity: Comparative Learning Study on Cash Consortium Models in East Africa and the HornLocation: East Africa and the Horn of Africa (regional assignment)Contract Type: ConsultancyApplication Deadline: 23 October 2026Duration: Approximately three monthsLead Organisation: Somali Cash Consortium (SCC) acting as administrative anchor for a multi-country initiative.About the AssignmentHumanitarian cash consortia have become a common delivery model in crisis-affected contexts, including Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and Colombia. These consortia are intended to improve coordination, harmonise approaches, reduce duplication, strengthen accountability, build donor confidence and support more efficient delivery of cash and voucher assistance. However, consortium arrangements can also create additional coordination requirements, governance complexity and management costs. The extent to which consortium models generate value relative to their costs remains an important question for humanitarian actors and donors.This consultancy will undertake a comparative learning study of cash consortium models across East Africa and the Horn of Africa. While the Somali Cash Consortium is initiating and administering the assignment, the study will take a genuinely regional perspective and assess multiple country cases on an equal analytical basis.The study is expected to consider consortium experiences from Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia. The final number of country cases will be agreed during the inception phase, based on relevance, comparability, data availability, stakeholder access, available time and budget, and the level of analytical depth that can be achieved. Experience from additional contexts may also be used as supporting reference material where relevant.Purpose of the StudyThe assignment aims to generate practical comparative learning on cash consortium models in East Africa and the Horn, focusing on governance and operating structures, added value and comparative advantage, and cost structure and efficiency. The study should provide evidence that participating consortia can use to strengthen their models, support learning across contexts and facilitate informed dialogue with donors.The central question guiding the assignment is:When does a cash consortium model add value, for whom, and at what cost compared with realistic alternatives?The study should compare consortium arrangements against realistic alternatives where feasible, with particular priority given to standalone cash programmes delivered by consortium members in similar operational contexts. Other comparison models may include direct funding arrangements, pooled funding mechanisms, UN-led delivery models or coordination structures that do not include dedicated consortium management.Study ObjectivesThe consultancy will pursue three primary objectives:First, to map and compare consortium governance and operating models, including leadership arrangements, consortium management structures, governance mechanisms, decision-making systems, accountability frameworks, partner roles, shared functions and financial architecture.Second, to assess the added value of consortium approaches compared with realistic alternatives. This includes examining how consortium models affect coordination, harmonisation, programme quality, coverage, preparedness, accountability, risk management, technical support, innovation, monitoring and learning. Claims of added value should be tested critically against credible alternatives and should consider both benefits and potential disadvantages such as additional procedures, costs or duplication.Third, to assess the efficiency of consortium cost structures. The study should analyse management and operational costs, shared and mutualised functions, costs retained by consortium members, hidden and indirect costs, duplicated functions and efficiencies generated through collaboration. The analysis should explain how contextual factors such as programme scale, operating environment, access restrictions, protection considerations, payment infrastructure and consortium maturity influence overall costs.Comparative FrameworkThe assignment will examine differences between consortium models across several dimensions. These include governance arrangements ranging from directive lead-agency models to more consensus-based structures; membership and delivery configurations; operational structures and the degree of centralisation or decentralisation; financial architecture and funding flows; the primary functions performed by the consortium; patterns of cost sharing and mutualisation; approaches to risk allocation; stages of organisational development; and contextual factors such as donor requirements, access conditions, payment infrastructure and protection considerations. The purpose of this framework is to explain how different consortium characteristics influence both performance and costs.Scope of WorkThe consultant team will undertake a comparative regional analysis rather than a series of separate country studies. The assignment should focus on governance and operating structures, added value and comparative advantage, and cost structure and efficiency. Related issues such as risk management, compliance, accountability, monitoring, coordination, donor requirements, technical support and local-partner engagement should be analysed where they help explain these three core themes.The consultancy is expected to answer key questions regarding consortium governance and management arrangements, distribution of responsibilities among lead agencies, consortium management units, members and local partners, comparative strengths and weaknesses of different operating models, the value generated through consortium approaches, the impact of membership structures and referral systems, and the effectiveness of shared systems and functions. The study should also examine cost drivers, cost allocation mechanisms, mutualised services, operational efficiencies, hidden costs, potential duplication, transaction costs and overall value for money.MethodologyThe study will use a comparative methodology incorporating document review, key informant interviews and structured cross-country analysis. Existing consortium research, documentation and typologies should be used wherever possible to avoid duplication.An inception phase will confirm the final scope, research questions, methodology, participating consortia, comparator programmes, interview plan and workplan. During this phase, the consultant team will also conduct a feasibility assessment of cost data, identifying which cost categories and indicators can be compared reliably and where differences in accounting systems may limit comparison.The document review will draw on existing consortium materials, including proposals, donor reports, governance documents, operational procedures, programme reports, budgets, cost analyses, evaluations, partnership agreements, learning products and compliance documentation. Existing evidence from programme participants should also be reviewed where available.Interviews will be conducted with consortium leadership, lead agencies, selected consortium members, local and national partners, technical specialists, operational staff and, where appropriate, donors and other external stakeholders. Particular effort should be made to capture local-partner perspectives, especially regarding governance, risk allocation, decision-making and cost sharing.The assignment will conclude with a comparative analysis across retained cases and a validation process involving participating consortia and the steering committee.Expected DeliverablesThe selected consultant team will be responsible for producing:A short inception report confirming the final research questions, comparative framework, participating cases, reference periods, selected comparators, interview plan, workplan and feasibility assessment for cost analysis. This report should also provide a justified recommendation on the final country scope and identify key limitations to comparability.A draft comparative report presenting findings on governance and operating structures, added value and cost structures across participating cases, including analysis of contextual factors and consortium maturity.A validation and learning workshop involving steering committee members and participating consortia, with additional participation from donors, consortium members or partners where appropriate.A final comparative report incorporating validation feedback and presenting practical recommendations for participating consortia and donors. The report should clearly state methodological limitations and avoid unsupported quantitative comparisons.Governance ArrangementsThe study will be overseen by a cross-country steering committee representing participating consortium secretariats, management units and SCC. The steering committee will support consultant selection, inception, validation and dissemination processes. Each participating consortium will nominate a focal point to facilitate documentation, interviews and factual review.Consultant RequirementsDue to the scale of the assignment and the technical complexity of the cost-analysis component, applications from teams capable of working across multiple countries simultaneously are strongly encouraged.The successful team should demonstrate:Strong experience in humanitarian cash and voucher assistance and the design, management or assessment of consortium models.Demonstrated expertise in cost-efficiency, value-for-money and financial analysis, including experience interpreting different budgeting and accounting systems.Experience conducting comparative regional research, qualitative interviews and cross-country learning processes.Relevant country and regional expertise within East Africa and the Horn, together with the language skills required for the proposed methodology.A proven ability to assess consortium performance objectively and independently.Applicants should also provide a valid registration certificate, tax compliance certificate, organisational profile and details of key experts and their qualifications.Indicative TimelineThe study is expected to run for approximately three months. Procurement and contracting are anticipated to begin in October 2026, followed by inception and evidence review by the end of October. Data collection and analysis are expected to be completed by December 2026. A draft report is anticipated in January 2027, followed by finalisation and dissemination planning in February 2027.How to applyHow to ApplyInterested candidates who meet the requirements should submit their application by email to som.vacancies@concern.net with the subject line:Consultant for Comparative Learning Study on Cash Consortium Models in East Africa and the HornApplications must be received no later than Thursday, 23 October 2026.Tax RequirementIn accordance with applicable government regulations, all suppliers and contractors engaged by Concern are required to include a 5% withholding tax within their financial quotations. This amount will be retained and remitted directly to the relevant authorities. Failure to account for this requirement may result in the amount being deducted from invoice payments.Safeguarding and Data ProtectionConcern Worldwide maintains a Code of Conduct together with associated policies covering programme participant protection, child safeguarding and anti-trafficking in persons. Successful candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and may be subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including criminal background checks where relevant. Concern is committed to safeguarding adults and children and to handling personal data in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.