Programme Specialist (Cash Based Assistance/Social Protection), P-3, Kabul, Afghanistan, (6 months duration), Temporary Appointment 270 views

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

To learn more about working for UNICEF and our work in Afghanistan, please visit the following links :

Working for UNICEF: https://youtu.be/43aiG4w2q_M?t=2 

UNICEF in Afghanistan:  https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/ 

For every child, a fair chance

Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan show no signs of decreasing. A complex and unpredictable security situation, combined with the impacts of natural disasters, including severe drought, have prompted a near doubling in the number of people in need compared to 2018, newly displacing more than 500,000 civilians. Today, 6.3 million people, including 3.8 million children, require some form of humanitarian and protection assistance arising from exposure to escalating violence, forced displacement, the loss of essential livelihoods and limited access to basic services. UNICEF is committed to deliver lifesaving humanitarian assistance; its country programme offers significant opportunities to harness Humanitarian Cash Transfers (HCT) mainly as a complement to UNICEF programmes to enhance its results for children.

Afghanistan is one of the six pilot countries where the interagency common cash system approach stemming from the 2018 principal’s statements will be piloted. UNICEF is committed to actively contribute to the implementation of the inter-agency action plan in concert with the others UN agencies and the broader humanitarian community.

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, Evaluation and Research (SPEAR) and in close collaboration with the Chief of Field Operations, the Programme Specialist will provide guidance and technical assistance to design, implement and support UNICEF Cash transfer activities across different sectors including Health, Nutrition, Child Protection, Education and Social Policy. The Programme Specialist will contribute in ensuring UNICEF participation in the national shock responsive social protection dialogue and ensure UNICEF representation and lead in the Common Cash System activities.

How can you make a difference?

1.Humanitarian Cash Transfers (HCT) integration in identified UNICEF programmatic entry points

Support various UNICEF sections to develop and implement programme proposals by ensuring UNICEF HCT guidance tools and procedures on humanitarian cash transfer in emergencies are considered. (within 6 months)

Develop a Country Office strategy for use of Humanitarian Cash Transfers (within 6 months) and provide oversight on the integration of HCT activities in relevant UNICEF Programme Documents as needed.

Develop, review and maintain UNICEF and joint UN work plans with time frames and deadlines for key activities; based on changing and emerging needs, ensure standard operating procedures are developed. (within 6 months)

Support respective programme colleagues, remotely and in person to ensure HCT integration in relevant UNICEF programmes; (within 6 months)

Conduct regular operational analysis of the programme, identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings and technical support.

Develop Standard Operating Procedures on HCT delivery process in concert with finance and supply colleagues (within 6 months)

Ensure risk mitigation measures are implemented and regularly updated (within 6 months)

Provide oversight on UNICEF development of two-way communication channels including UNICEF contribution and investment in the interagency platform of Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) led by AWAAZ by ensuring relevant SOP and referral pathways are established.

Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

Provide capacity building of UNICEF staff at Kabul and zone office level on Cash Transfer in Emergencies (within 6 months)

In collaboration with supervisor, ensure integration and synergies between humanitarian cash transfers and the wider social protection system of the country

Under the supervisor’s guidance and in concert with UNICEF sectoral colleagues, support UNICEF participation in current and forthcoming Shock Responsive Social protection programmes.

Under the supervisor’s guidance and in collaboration with the Resource Mobilization Unit, identify funding opportunities and write fundraising proposals in support of humanitarian cash transfer programmes. (within 6 months)

2. Monitoring

Work closely with programme colleagues to implement a sound monitoring and evaluation system for programmes integrating cash transfers; undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decide on required corrective action. (within 6 months)

Provide oversight on the integrated use of a diversified set of data collection tools and methodologies including leveraging existing implementing partner systems, Open Data Kit/Kobo forms.

Produce relevant knowledge management products on the cash transfer activities through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as generating and documenting lessons learned;

Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of HCT programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. (within 6 months)

Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Ensure all applicable Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) risk management measures are implemented.

3.Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration for Humanitarian Cash Transfers

Lead UNICEF contribution in the Common Cash System Inter-agency action plan by ensuring relevant internal and external stakeholders are involved and aware of their respective accountabilities.

Actively participate and represent UNICEF in nationwide coordination forums such as the Kabul based Cash & Voucher Working Group and sub-national coordination when/where needed.

Propose to supervisor potential partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation.

Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial management requirements and accountability.

Ensure operational linkages between UNICEF Cash Assistance and relevant UNICEF sectorial activities including Child Protection (child registration), Nutrition, Health, Education and WASH.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree in international development, social sciences, public policy, public health, or relevant field
• Five years of relevant professional work experience designing, implementing and managing humanitarian cash transfer programmes.
• Strong knowledge of social protection policy debates and evidence is required.
• Experience in humanitarian data and information management
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner.
• Knowledge about and experience coordinating with government owned social assistance programmes
• Experience in emergency programme implementation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in use of cash in emergencies.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s programmes in emergency contexts preferred.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation.
• Fluency in English is required. Good written and spoken skills in the language of the duty station and knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

• For every Child, you demonstrate

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability, and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Leading and supervising (II)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (III)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Persuading & Influencing (II)
• Planning & Organizing (III)

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female candidates to apply to this post and become a part of the organization.

We are the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.