Officer, Field

Organizational Context

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to support the implementation and coordination of Livelihood and CVA programming within the IFRC / ARCS operations, provide relevant technical support as well as liaising with local counterparts. Considering the need of substantial expansion of respective activities in the current context, participating in capacity development is essential to meet the Livelihoods and CVA needs of the affected population. The field Officer is expected to propose and support the implementation of relevant Livelihoods and CVA activities to ensure that support to the National Society and IFRC is tailored to the needs and context. The technical support provided shall be based on ARCS' existing expertise, its strategic priorities and be designed in accordance with the respective RCRC Movement standards and best practices.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Livelihoods Assessment and Feasibility

• Support IFRC and ARCS to design and implement a comprehensive Livelihoods assessment in line with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) and the Household Economic Security (HES). This includes, among other tasks, preparing questionnaires, support data collection exercise through KoBo, and managing Focus Group Discussions with the affected population.

Livelihoods Response design

• Support the CVA/Livelihoods delegate and provide inputs for the design and implementation of a concrete Plan of Action for Livelihoods. Including activities’ timeframe, resources needed, indicators and sources of verification. If a case management approach is used to support Micro-entrepreneurship and self-employment draft SOPs accordingly. If cash-for livelihoods recovery activity is introduced, support the justification on CVA modality (condition/unconditional, restricted/unrestricted), value transfer and number of instalments.
• Based on knowledge of the Armenian context and the IFRC / ARCS capacity, provide relevant inputs for CVA and Livelihoods programs targeting mechanism.

Operational set up and monitoring

• Engage with local stakeholders and provide translations Armenian to English language when neccessary
• Support during processes and procurements (in cooperation with IFRC Logistics and HR) as required to ensure the resources to implement the planned activities are set.
• Support and provide technical support and inputs in the ongoing operation. Ensure programme delivery follows the Plan of Action, and beneficiary selection and transfer / delivery transfer mechanisms follow agreed IFRC and NS procedures and SOPs.
• Contribute to identify risks potentially affecting the projects, and contribute to mitigation measures.
• Support in developing and managing specific tools required for Livelihoods/CVA programs, for example Monitoring tools, PDM templates, Risk analysis tools, decision-making, data collection tools (KoBo), data management tool (EspoCRM, Excel), etc.
• Support in exploring additional Financial Service Providers engage with them when required.
• Engage and coordinate with ARCS branches and Volunteers when necessary for CVA / Livelihoods activities

Capacity building and future preparedness

• Participate and contribute to CVA and Livelihoods trainings for the NS, as well as day-to-day support to technical teams.

Reporting, Learning and Dissemination

• Contribute to the Livelihoods/CVA Indicator Tracking Table and IFRC Operational Updates.
• Contribute to potential Real-Time Evaluation inputs for Livelihoods/CVA projects, sharing operational constraints and capturing livelihood/CVA lessons learnt and ARCS good practices.

Advocacy and Coordination

• Participate in coordination for a, as the Resilience Working Group or the Cash Working Group. Internally, participate and support Movement technical coordination activities (Swiss RC, Austrian RC, ICRC, IFRC)
• Support IFRC / ARCS in developing partnerships agreements with private companies, including vocational training agencies or business incubators if required.
• Support and participate in engagement and coordination with Public entities as Chamber of Commerce or MoLSA / USS.
• Support engage with potential donors to disseminate on ARCS/IFRC Livelihoods/CVA projects and contribute to project proposals writing when needed.

Education

Required:

• University degree in relevant areas (such as Disaster Management, Project Management, Sociology, humanitarian assistance/development, economic or socio-economic development), technical qualification or equivalent experience
• Trained in some form of economic analysis including Livelihoods and CVA: Early Recovery Livelihoods Assessment (ERLA) or HEA/Household Economic Security, Livelihoods Programming Course (LPC), EMMA (Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis Approach) or MAG (IFRC), Cash Transfer Programing (CTP), EcoSec trainings, Microentrepreneurship, etc
• Livelihoods Basic Course by IFRC Livelihoods Resource Centre (LRC) or similar training on Market Assessment: RAM (IFRC/ICRC)

Preferred:

• Delegate Training (IMPACT, Foundations of IFRC), or equivalent experience

Experience

Required

• At least 2 years´ experience in livelihoods programming, Economic Security, Job counseling / Self-employment support programs, and community-based approaches
• At least 2 years´ experience in using Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) in humanitarian projects (i.e.: CVA feasibility assessments, market analysis, response design including setting targeting criteria, transfer values and delivery mechanisms, encashment, and monitoring)
• Experience in working with NGOs on Economic support and/or institutions providing job counselling, micro-entrepreneurship support and job placement

Preferred:

• At least 2 years’ experience in disaster management or response in humanitarian operations managing teams
• Experience of managing and coaching teams in multi-faceted projects, mentoring, coaching, training, and building the capacity of local staff and volunteers
• Experience in the coordination of private and public stakeholders, especially with Government entities and Private Companies
• Experience of developing M&E systems to monitor progress of implementation

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Knowledge of different Livelihoods, Cash Transfer and programme concepts, as well as the challenges and risks involved with implementing such programmes
• Understanding of CVA stakeholders in the NS, RCRC Movement, government, private sector
• Understanding and use of various beneficiary registration methods and systems
• Knowledge of feedback and response mechanism, including appropriate methods of beneficiary communication and channels

• Technical/professional knowledge within the areas of Livelihoods and CVA in humanitarian and/or development contexts, with an emphasis on the ability to design, implement and monitor cash responses, in a variety of contexts and in an inclusive manner
• Ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to staff and volunteers
• Ability to translate Armenian to English and vice versa
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Fluent spoken and written Armenian language

Preferred

• Understanding of integrated approaches to disaster response
• Knowledge of RCRC Movement CVA and Livelihoods tools and guidance
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Pro-activity; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust