Application Guide
How to Apply for Comparative Learning Study on Cash Consortium Models in East Africa and the Horn
at Concern Worldwide
🏢 About Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide is a major international humanitarian organization known for its integrated approach to emergency response, resilience building, and long-term development. Working here means contributing to evidence-based programming that directly influences how cash and voucher assistance is delivered in some of the world's most challenging contexts, with a strong emphasis on local partnerships and accountability.
About This Role
This role leads a regional comparative study examining the effectiveness, costs, and governance of cash consortium models across Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The study, anchored by the Somalia Cash Consortium, aims to rigorously assess whether consortium structures add value beyond their coordination costs, generating evidence to inform future humanitarian cash programming. You will be responsible for designing the methodology, managing data collection across multiple countries, and producing actionable recommendations for donors and implementing agencies.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve coordinating with in-country researchers to refine data collection tools, analyzing cost data from multiple consortia, and drafting sections of the comparative report. You'll also spend time engaging with consortium members and donors to validate findings and ensure the study remains grounded in operational realities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Concern Worldwide Is Looking For
- Advanced degree in economics, development studies, public policy, or a related field, with at least 7 years of experience in humanitarian research or evaluation.
- Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including cost-effectiveness analysis, comparative case study design, and familiarity with cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programming.
- Deep understanding of humanitarian coordination mechanisms, consortium governance, and the operational contexts of East Africa and the Horn (Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda).
- Strong project management skills, with experience coordinating multi-country studies, managing remote teams, and engaging diverse stakeholders including donors, INGOs, and local partners.
📝 Tips for Applying to Concern Worldwide
Highlight any direct experience with cash consortia or multi-agency coordination bodies in your CV and cover letter, specifying your role and the outcomes achieved.
Demonstrate familiarity with the specific contexts of the five countries mentioned, especially Somalia, by referencing previous work or research there.
Show your ability to design comparative studies that go beyond simple assessments—emphasize your experience with case study methodology and cross-context analysis.
Quantify your research impact: mention how your previous evaluations influenced policy or programme design, and include budget sizes or team sizes you managed.
Address the cost-effectiveness angle explicitly; the study is examining whether consortium models justify their costs, so experience with economic evaluation or value-for-money analysis is a plus.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter should emphasize: (1) your direct experience with cash consortium models or similar multi-agency coordination mechanisms, including any challenges you observed; (2) your methodological expertise in comparative, multi-country research and cost analysis; (3) your contextual knowledge of East Africa and the Horn, particularly Somalia, and ability to navigate sensitive political and operational environments; and (4) your motivation to generate evidence that improves humanitarian effectiveness and accountability to affected populations.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Concern Worldwide's published reports and evaluations on cash and voucher assistance, especially any related to consortium work or East Africa.
- → Research the Somalia Cash Consortium (SCC) and other cash consortia in the region (e.g., the Cash Consortium of Sudan, the Uganda Cash Consortium) to understand their structures, members, and objectives.
- → Familiarize yourself with key donor policies on cash assistance, such as those from ECHO, USAID/BHA, and FCDO, and their expectations around consortium models.
- → Review the existing literature on the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of humanitarian consortia, including critiques of coordination mechanisms and localization debates.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic research proposal or CV that doesn't explicitly address cash consortium models or the specific countries listed.
- Overemphasizing academic theory without demonstrating practical experience in humanitarian evaluation or multi-country study management.
- Ignoring the cost-effectiveness dimension; candidates who focus only on qualitative aspects may miss a core component of the study's purpose.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: October 23, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Concern Worldwide!