Measuring and assessing impact of cash and voucher distribution in humanitarian aid

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Project Detail:
For decades the humanitarian sector has relied on providing in-kind assistance to beneficiaries during disaster relief. Recently, there is a growing importance in the provision of cash and vouchers that can be exchanged for goods as needed. This can help stimulate local market activity and restart livelihoods. The objective of this project is to quantitatively determine the impact of cash and voucher distribution in refugee situations using the recent influx of Syrian refugees in Turkey as a case study. The PhD project is part of an ongoing research by a team of leading universities in Turkey and in the UK. The project is aimed at developing a framework on how to monitor, measure and assess the impact of our cash and voucher distribution on stakeholders. For this purpose we aim to apply system dynamics as a method.

Using literature and existing models, this research will develop metrics to identify the short and long term success of cash and voucher distribution. Data will be collected on these metrics, which will then be used to develop a system dynamics model that captures the dynamics of cash and voucher distribution and measures the impact on relevant stakeholders. This will also result in a framework to collect, measure and assess the impact for other humanitarian relief situations.

This is an open call for candidates who are sponsored or who have their own funding. In your application, please clearly state whether you are self-funded, sponsored, or looking for institutional funds. If you do not have funding, you may still apply, however Institutional funding is not guaranteed. Outstanding candidates (UK/EU/International) without funding will be considered for any funding opportunity which may become available in the School.

Find out more:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/meme/staff/ehsan-sabet/

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Operational research, industrial engineering, research methods, supply chain and logistics, business and management, econometrics, management science or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage. Understanding the humanitarian supply chain, knowledge of Syrian camps in Turkey, or Turkish/Arabic language is an advantage.

Contact details:
Name: Dr Ehsan Sabet
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 - (0)1509 227192

How to apply:
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, please quote reference number: ES30052017.

Application details:
Reference number: ES30052017
Primary supervisor: Dr Ehsan Sabet