Cash Transfer Specialist at CANADEM

Background:

In the 2010 update of the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) is the explicit commitment that appropriate and experienced staff and personnel with relevant deployment training are provided and rapidly deployed, that focus on action in the first eight critical weeks of humanitarian response and provide guidance for action beyond that, moving towards defined benchmarks. **

The humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating in Somalia with the drought which started in the north last year now affecting most of the country. The FSNAU-FEWSNET Post Deyr (2016/17) results indicate that there is today 6.2 million people in need of assistance, representing more than half of the population, and a sharp increase of the population in need (5 million six months ago). This includes 2.9 million people in crisis and emergency (IPC 3 and 4). Should the 2017 Gu season perform very poorly and humanitarian assistance not reach populations affected by drought, there is a risk of famine (IPC Phase 5) unfolding in the second half of 2017. UNICEF is prioritising an integrated WASH, health and nutrition response in drought-affected areas of Somalia with a focus on providing life-saving services to avert a famine. This will be achieved with a rapid scale-up of the UNICEF response, through the procurement at scale and in a timely manner of lifesaving core pipeline supplies, an increase in partnerships and coverage, and the expansive of critical services in the most affected areas.

PURPOSE

The Cash Transfer Specialist will support the Emergency section in setting up a cash transfer programme for the pre-famine response. This programme will be implemented through the SCOPE biometric platform, and be coupled with the WFP food security response – vouchers and in-kind. The programme will have to be one which can easily be scaled, including in hard to reach areas.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

· Under the guidance of the Chief of Emergency, the position will support the set-up of a cash transfer response for the pre-famine response in Somalia.

· Effective systems developed on targeting, registration, payment process and complaint/grievance for UNICEF’s cash-based assistance, and effective knowledge management and systems strengthening.

· Comprehensive package of enabling services available through referral pathways and inter-sectoral linkages with nutrition, health and education, for UNICEF cash transfer programme beneficiaries.

· Support in the development of education-focused cash transfer programme on mitigating negative coping mechanisms directly impacting children’s wellbeing.

· Programme reports prepared as required and funds optimally used.

· Support in the cash transfer programme monitoring and evaluation to improve programme performance, and programme status reports timely prepared.

· Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the country programme provided as an integral part of programming.

· Effective partnership with WFP and active representation in the Cash working group. Collaboration achieved and maintained for cash transfer advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development, information sharing and networking.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education: Advanced university degree in economics, social policy, social protection, public policy, or other relevant disciplines.

Work Experience: Five (5) years of responsible professional work experience at national - in particular of designing, implementing and management of social transfers or cash transfer programmes in emergencies. Experience in complex emergencies highly desired.

OTHER SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Experience interviewing children (ideally with UNICEF or directly applying UNICEF standards and guidelines)
• Familiarity with best Practices in Children /CCC in Emergency programming
• Understanding of “Do No Harm” Principles and experience applying principles in practice
• Experience and training in Emergency Programming and M&E

COMPETENCY PROFILE:

i) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment; Diversity and Inclusion; Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [II]; Working with People [II]; Drive for Results [II]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required) • Leading and Supervising [II]; Analysing [II]; Deciding and Initiating Action [III]; Persuading and Influencing [III]; Applying Technical Expertise [III]; Planning and Organizing [II]; Adapting and Responding Change [III]; Coping with Pressure and Setbacks [