Country: Senegal
Closing date: 11 Jul 2016
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
The Regional Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) Officer is responsible, within the stated functional area, for the countries under area of responsibility (AoR). S/he will establish, coordinate and provide technical support to a regional network of country-level CBIs focal points, consultants and/or officers. The incumbent will ensure that cash and vouchers are routinely considered as a response option in both emergency and protracted situations across the region, are complementary of other types of assistance and are planned, implemented and monitored in line with best practice and organizational guidance. The incumbent plays a role in programme coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation as well as promoting capacity-building of UNHCR personnel and partners, and advocacy, information and communication on cash and voucher-related issues.
S/he will liaise with UNCHR country offices, DPSM/Cash-Based Interventions Section, and the Regional Bureau/Desk. S/he supports and provides guidance to the growing network of UNHCR CBIs focal points and officers as well as to Implementing and Operational Partners, National Governments, line ministries and UN agencies, particularly WFP.
S/he will provide policy and guidance on CBIs, provide information on specific technical guidelines, briefings, trainings, provide input on evaluation documents, carry out assessments, facilitate contact with WFP, other partners and financial institutions, advise on local agreements, review reports, consult on technical protocols and standard operating procedures, advise on specific cash-based interventions, develop a strategic plan for countries/the region, contribute to advocacy and support fundraising.
S/he will coordinate approaches and strengthen/develop strategic partnerships with other regional UN agencies including WFP, NGOs as well as private sector partners involved in CBIs, to share information, experiences, carry out joint assessments and feasibility studies, produce joint guidelines, implement joint projects where appropriate, seek new opportunities for collaboration, seek financial and technical support, conduct joint trainings and operational research.
The incumbent holds a professional position responsible for provision of technical support and advice as well as advice on strategic planning and policy making on activities within the area of CBIs as an integral part of UNHCR programmes.
The Regional CBIs Officer will receive overall guidance and direction from the Regional Representative and report to the Assistant Regional Representative (Programme). S/he will maintain close links with the CBI Section in UNHCR HQ.
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability:
- CBIs are consistently considered as a response option across the region. CBIs are feasible, appropriate, technically-sound, cost-effective, innovative, sustainable and complimentary to other forms of assistance. Where applicable, this is done in close partnership with WFP and/or other partners.
- CBIs are designed and implemented according to UNHCR guidelines and good practice established, with the overall objective of contributing to the well-being of beneficiaries. Strong technical expertise and support on all aspects is provided to the countries.
- A regional CBIs action plan is in place which identifies opportunities and a concrete and realistic way forward for a) starting new CBIs as well as b) scaling up existing CBIs over time.
Responsibility:
- Strengthen the organization's role as the regional reference agency for CBIs in displacement settings by developing and implementing a practicable strategy to institutionalise and scale up the use of CBIs throughout UNHCR operations throughout the region.
- Support the development and dissemination of policies, operational guidance, instructions, tools and analytical frameworks aimed at ensuring the technical integrity of cash-based programmes, building on existing guidance and tools wherever possible.
- Liaise with technical sectors (shelter, public health, livelihoods, energy, registration, data management, etc.) and protection colleagues in the Regional Bureau to integrate CBIs into existing approaches, tools and strategies.
- Work with Regional Office and Country Office management to define and promote an integrated vision of providing assistance which incorporates in-kind and cash and voucher modalities to meet UNHCR objectives.
- Maintain regular contact with the Cash-Based Interventions Section at HQ to ensure appropriate backstopping, the application and dissemination of best practice and the collection of lessons learned.
- Sustain and expand a network of strategic and operational partners (incl. UN agencies, INGOs, research institutions, private entities) to ensure complementarity and efficiency and share lessons learned.
- Where appropriate, encourage the development of a common platform for provision of assistance (food and/or non-food) between UNHCR and other agencies/partners.
- Coordinate internally; incl. with technical sectors at country and regional level, DPSM technical sections, DIP, Bureaux and DER.
- Respond directly to field operations' requirements for technical support in emergencies and ongoing displacement situations through technical assistance and advice on all aspects related to CBIs, including assessments, planning and budgeting, technical choices, legal and regulatory aspects, implementation modalities and coordination.
- Review and provide technical inputs on reports and programme proposals.
- Undertake technical support missions across the region and be available for rapid deployment if needed.
- Ensure designation of country focal points and CBIs programme managers and facilitate their training and capacity building.
- Support the establishment and engage with multi-functional teams implementing CBIs; facilitate capacity strengthening of programme, protection, ICT, finance/admin, supply/procurement personnel on various aspects of CBIs.
- Identify skill and knowledge gaps and help country offices address these through training, recruitment, etc.
- Advocate within UNHCR for adequate resourcing of CBIs, including the deployment of qualified technical specialist staff.
- Advocate with government, donors, etc. on all issues relating to CBIs in the region and contribute to UNHCR's resource mobilization efforts for the region
Authority:
- Provide technical support and guidance on overall strategy, design, implementation and reporting on CBIs in the region.
- Make judgments on the quality of project proposals coming from implementing partners, on the quality of CVs screened for field deployments and on the quality of material/outputs submitted by consultants.
- Represent UNHCR in relevant regional meetings related to CBIs.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Economics, Social Sciences or a related field.
- Minimum of 6 years (8 years with first university degree) of previous job experience relevant to the function.
- Proven knowledge and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CBIs from a multi-sectoral perspective.
- Experience in working effectively with NGOs, UN organisations, or government authorities at national level.
- Excellent networking skills with private and public sector institutions.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Excellent knowledge of English and another relevant UN language.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:
- Working knowledge of an additional UN language and/or the regional language.
- Experience in conducting AGDM and multi-functional assessments.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR programmes and UNHCR programming.
- Training and capacity building of refugees, government and implementing partners.
- Ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges.
- Ability to collaborate and coordinate with several country operations with colleagues on various levels and various functions.
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