Global overview
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Background
The COVID 19 pandemic crisis is affecting the whole of the Movement as IFRC, ICRC and NS across all regions are preparing or already responding to the extreme levels of unmet humanitarian needs as a direct result of the crisis or secondary impacts. CVA, including cash delivery, digital payments and emergency social safety nets, will play a prominent role in the response to the crisis and expected to feature strongly in the longer-term recovery.
The economic impact of COVID 19, coupled with restricted access and need for remotely administered humanitarian assistance in many countries, makes CVA a particularly relevant tool for response to this crisis. Cash also offers a lower risk of transmission to staff, volunteers and communities through digital payments and can be a critical enabler for markets as they adapt and recover to stimulate peoples purchasing power and key services and retailers.
As the impacts of COVID on peoples and household’s ability to continue accessing services and key sources of income are disrupted or reduced, more and more of the most vulnerable people in the world will be affected and struggle to meet their ongoing basic needs, and will need support to also diversify and strengthen their livelihoods sources, among others. Cash and Voucher Assistance is the preferred option to help targeted population have financial access to cover their diverse needs, while having a strong positive impact on the local economies. At the moment, 23 National Societies of the Africa region are currently working on delivering cash and vouchers to cover basic needs of the targeted population.
Job Description
The COVID-19 Cash and Voucher Delegate will provide technical advice to improve the quality and accountability of cash interventions, practical solutions for challenges in cash interventions, support the procurement of Financial Services Providers for NS with a cash component within the appeal, and facilitate the technical coordination among partners on COVID-19 cash interventions, as part of the regional COVID-19 Emergency Appeal. The position aims to support the decision making and implementation, as well as increasing the accountability of National Societies assisting COVID-19 affected people with timely quality cash and voucher assistance.
The position will be based at the regional office of Africa. There is the potential for international travel to support IFRC clusters and country offices and to participate in internal and external meetings. The resource will work in close coordination with the technical focal points of all Areas of Focus and Support Teams of the COVID-19 Operation, the Cluster and the Regional Level. Furthermore, the resource will work in close coordination with the National Societies requiring assistance. The resource will collaborate and seek support from the Regional Cash CVA Coordinator and the Cash Hub as needed.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Working together with the IFRC COVID-19 Operational team, the CVA Covid-19 Delegate will:
In close coordination with technical coordinators of the CCST/COs and the Regional CVA Coordinator, support the implementation and revision of all CVA activities included in NS response plans and budgets
Provide direct support to the IFRC team and the National Societies of the Africa Region setting up cash and voucher assistance interventions related to COVID-19
Ensure completion of cash planning, preparation and rollout of activities in NS with a cash component within the COVID-19 response
Support the procurement process of Financial Service Providers in coordination with the Regional Office
Monitoring progress of cash interventions of the NS with a cash component within the COVID-19 response in the Africa Region, and collect the required reporting documentations per the IFRC standards
Ensure that needs assessment, market assessment, financial service provider mapping, tendering and contracting are conducted in due time to have a timely and effective implementation that meets the program objectives in all NS of the Africa Region that uses cash and voucher as a response tool for COVID-19
Assist African National Societies in developing the process and post-distribution monitoring system that provide systematic and standards indicators for CVA implemented through emergency responses
Produce accurate monthly reports of cash and voucher delivered assistance in all African National Societies having a cash component within the COVID-19 response
Ensure beneficiary communications and feedback mechanisms are settled up in each African NS implementing Cash and Voucher Assistance within the COVID-19 response
Ensure that CVA key messages are effectively disseminated to recipients and relevant stakeholders and appropriate feedback mechanisms are established, maintaining the National Society’s commitment to beneficiary accountability
Liaise with Finance and Logistic to ensure that standard procedures linked to CVA are well applied
Ensure good coordination on CVA between Movement colleagues, including the ICRC, Partner National Societies (PNS) and the implementing National Societies
Ensure same tools and standards are applied to the various areas in which the CVA will be implemented in the country, based on the RCRC Movement cash toolkit
When relevant engage in coordination with other stakeholders in the country (Cash working Group, CaLP, NGOs, WFP, etc.)
Work Experience
- At least 5 years of experience leading a cash or voucher response within a humanitarian context
- Demonstrated experience in assessment which includes needs, market and Cash feasibility considerations
- Proven capacity building experience with NS or equivalent, delivering trainings and providing on the job training and coaching
- Experience with integrated data management tools such as RedRose
- Knowledge and experience of RC/RC National Societies
- Understanding of data protection and data responsibility in humanitarian action
- Experience providing technical support to National Societies
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills
- Experience coordinating and advocating to external stakeholders including government, NGOs, UN and Donor organisations
- Experience living and working in challenging and multicultural environments
Knowledge and Skills
- Sound knowledge of and commitment to, a holistic approach to disaster management, with a particular understanding of recovery, and proven experience in cash and voucher interventions
- Good understanding of shelter, livelihoods, wash and health interventions
- Proven skills in strategic and operational planning, budgeting and reporting emergency response that included CVA
- Understanding of the key issues relating to delivering cash at scale and skills to address them
- Proven analytical skills and the ability to think strategically while under pressure
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with independent decision making capacity
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to negotiate and influence people’s opinions
- Knowledge of targeting methodology
- Understand and use various beneficiary registration methods
- Knowledge of feedback and response mechanism, including of appropriate methods of beneficiary communication and channels
- Ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to staff and volunteers
- Fluent spoken English
- French speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Education
University degree or professional qualification in Humanitarian Assistant or another relevant area
Practical Emergency Cash Transfer Training (PECT)
Cash Level 2 Training
How to apply:
Candidates meeting the requirements and interested in the position are invited to send a 1- page letter of motivation and a detailed CV, including 3 references, to the following link not later than Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
https://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=64275
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This is a 6 months contract position with possibility of extension.