About InterAction 

InterAction is the largest U.S.-based alliance of international non-government organizations (NGOs) and partners. Celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, we mobilize our Members to think and act collectively to serve the world’s poor and vulnerable, with a shared belief that we can make the world a more peaceful, just and prosperous place – together. Using our collective voice and convening power, we seek to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change.

Our Members are premier international global development, humanitarian, and sector-supporting organizations that work in almost every country and manage more than $15.4 billion in programs annually. InterAction’s revenue comes from dues, government, private foundation and corporate grants, and fee-for-service programs. Additional information can be found at www.interaction.org.

Position Description

InterAction is seeking proposals from consultants to assist in developing and analyzing the 2024 UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and its Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Partnerships Survey, along with creating a summary report and PowerPoint presentation. The consultant will work closely with InterAction, UNHCR and a translator to produce the following components:

• Build, design, and administer two surveys, one for UNHCR staff and one for NGO staff.
• Liaise and coordinate with translators for the survey questionnaires and the final report.
• Analyze survey findings (multiple choice + open questions).
• Produce a draft report of findings.
• Create a 10-15 slide PowerPoint presentation with notes on key survey findings.

Background 

Effective, collaborative partnerships between NGOs and UN agencies have become more critical as the international humanitarian community strives to meet the demands of increasing humanitarian needs. Partnership-strengthening initiatives exist between UNHCR and NGOs, but these are often ad hoc, making progress challenging to track. Furthermore, while conference-style NGO consultations are helpful for big-picture issues that a range of NGO partners face in their response efforts, they are often not an effective forum for honest dialogue on partnership challenges and collaborative problem-solving. More dedicated efforts are required to explore the range of specific challenges faced in partnership between UN agencies and NGOs, progress toward resolving those challenges, and determine recommended ways to strengthen their interactions.

Implementing the most significant percentage of UNHCR's operational budget to field programming, NGOs are essential to fulfilling UNHCR's mandate. However, power imbalances and divergent organizational cultures often challenge this close relationship. For instance, applying the principles of partnership – equality, transparency, results orientation, responsibility, and complementarity – can vary significantly depending on the operation and individuals leading them. InterAction is a convener, thought leader, and voice for NGOs working across humanitarian and development fields worldwide. With a membership of more than 170 NGOs and long-established partnerships with UN agencies and other major donors, InterAction serves as an essential bridge connecting stakeholders in our work to eliminate extreme poverty and vulnerability, strengthen human rights, promote peace, and ensure dignity for all people. In support of this mission, InterAction, in partnership with UNHCR, has worked to understand and address these challenges by conducting an annual survey since 2014 to examine the state of partnership between NGOs and UNHCR. InterAction developed the questionnaires for this UNHCR-NGO partnership survey and has updated them annually to appropriately capture NGO partners’ and UNHCR staff feedback on new initiatives based on changes UNHCR has implemented in the survey year while maintaining questions for points that are unchanged to track changes in the partnership dynamic over time accurately. In 2022, we received roughly 700 responses from NGO partners and over 100 from UNHCR staff in field, country, and HQ offices. As InterAction is actively involved in partnership discussions between UNHCR and NGO partners, we are uniquely placed to track changes and develop survey methodologies that reach the heart of feedback that will help UNHCR inform future policy decisions while strengthening partnerships. This annual survey allows stakeholders, particularly UNHCR, to understand and analyze the dynamics between UNHCR and its partners better. It also sheds light on opportunities to strengthen the partnership to meet the needs of refugees and affected communities.

Purpose

To gather and analyze data on the status of the partnership between UNHCR and NGOs, covering 2023 implementation and partnerships, to determine the state of ongoing challenges, gauge improvement in critical areas, and provide recommendations for the way forward. Share findings with key audiences and stakeholders, including attendees at UNHCR’s annual NGO Consultations.

Qualifications 

To be considered for the consultancy, candidates should have the following skills:

• Experience in analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Experience using Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other survey/analytical tools such as SurveyMonkey.
• Strong analytical and writing skills and the ability to produce high-quality reports to achieve core objectives.
• A basic understanding of the humanitarian system, including the relationship and partnership practices between UN agencies and NGOs.
• Ability to deal with sensitive data and information diplomatically, with a solid commitment to confidentiality.

Compensation 

InterAction will compensate the consultant in the aggregate amount of Seven Thousand Dollars (7000$) for all consulting services rendered by the consultant under this project. The aforesaid compensation will be paid to the consultant over three months at the rate of $350$ per day. Payments shall be made based on meeting agreed milestones.

Expected Start Date 

ASAP, consultancy is expected to last up to 20 days. Work will be spread out over June, July, and August, with final documents produced at the end of August.

In addition 

InterAction is an equal opportunity employer that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. InterAction does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, and individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws.

InterAction does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of InterAction and InterAction will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

To Apply 

Please submit a cover letter and resume. All applications must be submitted through ADP for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered.