Wherever possible, avoid starting new partnerships in an emergency; instead, identify partners and build their capacity in preparedness. Key considerations for partner selection include gender sensitivity, response scale, capacity and cash readiness (or amount of work that would go into making a partner cash ready). An implementing partner would not necessarily be in charge of the full project and could instead be responsible for certain aspects.

Considerations for potential implementing partners to determine if they are a good fit for CBI⁷:

• Previous or on-going experience designing and implementing CBI.
• Previous or on-going experience with distribution (CBI or in-kind).
• Existing activity reports or financial reporting from these experiences.
• Existence of procurement systems and SOPs for CBI.
• Existence of a data protection policy.
• Experience in analysing and monitoring market trends.
• Experience supporting target groups such as women and persons with disabilities.
• Existing organizational Code of Conduct (or willingness to put in place) for all partner staff outlining standards of behaviour expected towards project participants and other community members and measures aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Staff have adequate technical and operational capacity to implement and monitor CBI, including after a shock.
• An understanding of the resources needed to design, implement and monitor a quality CBI project in line with IOM standards.

It is possible to provide needed capacity-building if a potential implementing partner is lacking in some of the above areas. However, it is important to remember that IOM is still responsible for the programme quality, even when implementation is done through an implementing partner (IP).

Agreements with IPs and other responsible parties should be developed with well-defined roles and responsibilities. CBI use should be mentioned in the agreement, and process indicators should be developed to ensure proper implementation. If IOM’s partner has existing SOPs on CBI, IOM staff should make sure these are not conflicting with current guidelines. In case of discrepancies, agreements should state that IOM’s guidelines and SOPs take precedence. For more information on how to select and engage IPs, refer to internal guidance IN/284 Changes to Procurement Implementing Partners Selection and Related Contracting Procedures. 

Caution: If working with implementing partners, begin the process as soon as possible, it will take time! 

Implementing Partners Financial Toolkit

 

⁷ CARE Emergency Toolkit.