Cash and Basic Needs Assistant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC is working to improve the safety, health, education, economic well-being, and power of people in crisis-affected places. IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development programming ensures that clients meet both their short- and long-term economic needs through sustainable and ethical programs such as but not limited to, cash and voucher transfers, food security promotion, climate-smart agro-pastoral production and enterprise development, and employment promotion.

More than 3.6 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million Ukrainians are reported to be displaced. As the vast majority of the displaced are women, girls, and boys, this could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades.

Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to emergency response and has identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is the most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC is establishing operations across Ukraine and Poland to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

This position will be based in Odesa, with travels to Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts as necessary. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs of the program.

JOB SUMMARY
IRC seeks a dynamic program implementor to fill the role of Cash and Basic Needs Assistant. The Cash & Basic Needs (CBN) Assistant will support day to day implementation of cash and basic needs programming assistance in Ukraine.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the ERD Coordinator, ERD Manager, and Cash and Basic Needs Officer, the CBN Assistant will be responsible for:
- Effective implementation of basic needs assistance, including Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), and Non-food Items (NFI) assistance.
- Ensuring that gender, protection, and environmental stewardship are mainstreamed in all programming under direct responsibility.
- Supporting the ERD Coordinator and partners in proper documentation, including the use of appropriate technology platforms, for client data and distribution of information.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Quality and Implementation
- -Adhere to detailed implementation plans to ensure program implementation is on time, with target goals and budget management using effective monitoring & evaluation systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts
- Review the payment documents submitted to ERD and ensure all the supporting documents are attached as per the compliance checklist.
- Ensure case management information is up-to-date, looping in the CBN Officer for any concerns
- Coordinate with Programs, Finance, and Supply Chain to ensure all required documentation for cash distribution is submitted and available.
- Support CBN Officer in the planning of disbursements (ATM/Mobile Money/Cash in Hand) and coordinate with relevant stakeholders.
- Support CBN Officer during NFI distributions and cash registrations on-site.
- Develop and send out regular communications about upcoming disbursements.
- Maintain up-to-date distribution calendar, raise purchase requests, main records of all data, and provide other administrative support as needed
- Coordinate with different sectors as requested by the CBN Officer, ERD Manager, or ERD Coordinator

Partnerships and Representation
- Provide support to implementing partners as needed and determined by them and the ERD Coordinator, including training, data management support, and other operational support for their programs.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
- Log Client Feedback and Complaints and respond to functional complaints
- Keep CBN Officer updated if any issue arises in payment processing
- Carry out program monitoring with partners, service providers, and partners’ clients.
- Participate in assessment and learning activities as required.

Professional Standards
- Complete other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs
- Adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:  High school degree required, Bachelor’s degree in a related preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and COMPETENCIES:
- Fluency in Ukrainian required. Russian and/or English will be an asset.
- At least 1 year of related experience, preferably in implementing humanitarian or development projects with I/NGOs.
- Experience working directly with clients in social service settings.
- Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible, and able to handle pressure with professional grace.
- Willingness to travel to different cities within Ukraine.
- Demonstrated dedication to an anti-racist and Do No Harm approach, gender equality, and inclusion.
- Experience in working with banks to complete cash transfers. 
- Experience in working with multiple different cash transfer mechanisms.
- Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel.
- Experience with training desired.
- Strong liaison and diplomatic skills.
- Punctuality and attention to detail required.

Female candidates are highly encouraged
Must have the right to work in Ukraine.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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