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Cash Consortium of Sudan Research & Learning: Understanding Protection, Inclusion, & Risk Implications of Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance via Proxy

United States, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 11 Nov 2025

About the role

Cash Consortium of Sudan Research and Learning: Understanding Protection, Inclusion, and Risk Implications of Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) via Proxy in SudanBackground:Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. The Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS), a collaborative platform to advance a progressive vision of the potential of cash and markets assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations in Sudan. CCS leverages common programmatic approaches as well as M&E for harmonized and scaled delivery and learning. The core intervention areas for the CCS include cash assistance for basic needs (Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) and Group Cash Transfers), Market strengthening interventions, capacity strengthening and the generation of evidence to inform refinements to program design as well as the broader response. The CCS is a multi-donor platform with an anticipated initial funding base of $50M USD to enable a nationwide response, though the majority of resources have so far been focused on famine prevention and response in the Greater Darfur Region, as well as Greater Kordofan Region and Khartoum. It is led by Mercy Corps, building on its extensive global experience as Consortium lead agency, with cash coordination, and breadth of technical resources. The partnership includes eight international NGOs, each of which bring strong cash and complementary technical competencies, as well as expansive operational coverage in Sudan. The CCS also includes eleven Sudanese NGOs as partners in alignment with global aid sector commitments to enhance the prominence of local actors in driving humanitarian response and recovery. Purpose / Project Description:Since the conflict broke out in Sudan, it has faced severe liquidity challenges alongside currency devaluation, inflation on essential goods, and limited access to both physical and digital financial infrastructure. These factors – exacerbated by the Central Bank of Sudan’s (CBoS) November 2024 announcement to withdraw certain banknotes and introduce new ones – have deeply constrained cash programming. The resulting operational barriers include:

strict cash withdrawal limits for individuals, organizations, and companies;
shortages and delays in cash availability for distributions;
denial or restriction of cash-in-hand assistance by local authorities;
safety and security risks in physical cash transport;
limited digital and banking inclusion; and
lack of clarity on currency legitimacy across areas of control.

Against this backdrop, the CCS is pursuing a diversified MPCA delivery strategy to hedge against blockages and maintain assistance continuity. Alongside pilots using vouchers, NFC cards, cryptocurrency, and common contracting, CCS members are also working flexibly within existing digital infrastructure – most notably the Bank of Khartoum’s “Bankak” application, which has become a primary tool for household-to-household and household-to-vendor transactions in many functioning markets.However, a significant portion of MPCA target households – particularly displaced and marginalized populations – lack access to bank accounts, smartphones, identification, or internet connectivity. To ensure inclusion, partners are increasingly using a “delegate” or proxy mechanism, whereby a trusted individual receives funds on behalf of a beneficiary and delivers the equivalent value (in cash or goods) within a defined timeframe.While these systems help maintain reach and continuity, they introduce complicated layers of protection, inclusion, ethical and compliance risk. The Consortium seeks a research consultancy firm/company to support understanding and managing these risks – to safeguard beneficiaries, ensure fiduciary integrity, and align with humanitarian principles. Note: Research focus will be agreed with the selected consultant before commencement. Potential research questions to explore include: 1. Context and Functioning of Proxy Mechanisms