Cash Impact at Scale Strategy Consultant

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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. Position Title Cash Impact at Scale Strategy Consultant Number of Consultants 1 Department / Unit Quality in Emergencies / Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) Technical Unit Proposed Start Date 16 June 2026 Duration 75 working days (with possible extension ) Engagement Type Remote - no travel required Reports To Senior Technical Advisor, Cash & Emergencies 1. Background and Strategic Context The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping people survive, recover, and gain control of their futures. Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) is a cornerstone of IRC's programming approach, enabling clients to meet their basic needs with dignity and agency. As part of the IRC's Strateg y 100 Phase 2 workplan, unconditional basic needs cash assistance has been identified as a scaling priority across international country programs. IRC is committed not only to expanding the volume and quality of cash assistance it delivers, but to fundamentally reshaping how cash is delivered, how the sector operates , and how the IRC positions itself globally as a leading voice and practitioner in CVA. IRC's ambition is to be recognized among the top-tier agencies globally for cash assistance - known for innovation, strategic clarity, operational excellence, and the ability to positively disrupt a sector that too often defaults to 'business as usual.' This consultancy sits at the heart of that ambition. To achieve cash impact at scale, IRC requires sharp strategic thinking on two fronts: (1) identifying the most promising innovations that could drive more cash to more clients faster and more efficiently; and (2) determining how IRC can catalyze meaningful sector-wide change - reshaping norms, attracting additional resources, and counterbalancing entrenched power dynamics within the humanitarian architecture. 2. Scope of Work This consultancy has two closely linked but distinct components. The consultant will work collaboratively with IRC's Quality in Emergencies and Economic Recovery and Development Technical Units and senior leadership, producing iterative and actionable strategy products throughout the engagement - not simply notes or synthesis documents, but polished outputs that IRC can directly use. Component 1: Cash Innovation Scoping and Pathway Analysis The consultant will support IRC to identify and prioritize the most promising innovations and new ways of working that could drive greater cash impact at scale. This is not an exercise in cataloguing what others are doing - it is about helping IRC make bold, evidence-informed bets on where to invest. This component will involve: Work ing with the cash team to understand I C's existing CVA program ming , i ncluding t echnology infrastructure, working contexts, key policies, recent /ongoing pilots, and partnerships to establish an accurate internal baseline. Undertaking Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and targeted desk research to map the innovation landscape, including innovative delivery mechanisms, responsible AI and technology applications, alternative client identification and targeting approaches including social protection systems , and emerging financing models. Deliberately seeking out non-traditional actors - including fintech companies, social protection specialists, private sector players, academic institutions, governments and actors from the Global South - to ensure this scoping yields fresh thinking rather than reproducing conventional humanitarian perspectives. Presenting interim findings to the IRC team, followed by a collaborative session to agree on 2-3 priority innovation pathways for deeper analysis that align with the IRC's cash scale ambitions and operating contexts ( including key country programs IRC is focusing on to 'go big'). For each selected pathway, developing a full 'pathway model' that describes: the core proposition; the operational and strategic investment required; the prize if IRC leans in (including projected reach to clients, funding attractiveness, and market positioning impact); key risks and mitigations; and concrete first steps. Preparing pitch materials, supporting statistics, and talking points for e