Social Policy Specialist (Humanitarian Cash Transfer), NOC, Fixed Term, Kyiv, #120593, Open to Ukrainian Nationals Only

The Ukraine Country Office (UCO) is looking for a Humanitarian Cash Transfer Specialist. As part of the operational capacity support to UCO Programme sections, a Programme Manager (Cash Transfer) provide technical assistance in the design and implementation of large-scale cash transfer interventions. The technical ability of the Humanitarian Cash Transfer Specialist will focus on establishing and maintaining partnerships with humanitarian partner organisations (with a focus on national partners), financial service providers and local authorities, on negotiating and implementing operational aspects of cash transfer interventions in close collaboration with these partners, and on supporting UNICEF field offices in Ukraine and developing their capacity to implement cash transfer programmes.

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.

For every child, hope

BACKGROUND

 The Level 3 Scale-up for Ukraine was activated effective 5 March 2022, for an initial period of six months, and has since been extended.  With the activation of the procedure, UNICEF has adopted a no-regrets approach in view of the complex situation and increasing humanitarian needs, to ensure that UNICEF continues to provide life-saving response for the children and women in Ukraine in line with the CCCs.

The intense escalation of armed violence following the hostilities started on 24 February 2022 in Ukraine has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis. Characterized by mass movement of populations throughout the country and to the neighbouring countries and a growing number of causalities, the conflict is impacting all dimensions of life: impeding access to basic services, disrupting economic activities and livelihoods, and destroying essential public infrastructure – including schools, hospitals, bridges, water and sanitation facilities, and residential buildings. The conflict is a crisis for children, with risks to their lives and well-being growing daily.

This conflict, on top of the devastating socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the military escalation in 2014, is leading to widespread poverty and further increasing humanitarian needs across the country. Displacement has torn apart families, with children and women displaced from their homes as they flee the violence. Even before the latest escalation of violence, 2.9 million people required humanitarian support in the conflict-affected oblasts. According to OCHA, roughly 18 million people have been affected by the current conflict, of whom over 3.2 million are children (UNICEF HAC). With livelihoods cut short and needs piling up, 67 per cent of the total affected population need urgent humanitarian assistance.

In response, UNICEF has already mobilized organization-wide support. However, the deteriorating situation and complex operating environment requires strengthened capacity and sustained efforts to further expand our presence and work in those parts of the country that can be safely accessed, to strengthen our cluster and overall humanitarian leadership, and to continue scaling-up our humanitarian action, with priority focus on child protection, health, WASH, nutrition, learning, cash interventions and social protection efforts.  UNICEF is also coordinating with refugee hosting countries to prepare and respond to the humanitarian needs emerging from population movements.

How can you make a difference?

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Under the direct supervision of the HCT team lead, the Humanitarian Cash Transfer Specialist will:

1. Programme Development and Management
   1. Review operating processes, support any necessary updates and adjustments including operations manuals and modalities (e.g., payment mechanisms, grievance redress mechanism) and all associated forms for effective programme roll out and implementation.
   2. Support the development of new HCT interventions.
   3. Provide oversight in ongoing detailed work planning and costing support to implementing partners to ensure coordinated, timely and credible programme planning, budgeting and implementation aligned with UNICEF's efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability procedures of HACT.
   4. Provide technical assistance in ongoing coordination and capacity support to implementing partners.
   5. Support the establishment and maintenance of a multichannel feedback mechanism that ensures accessibility of different segments of the beneficiary and affected population.
   6. Ensure relevant analysis of complaints and feedback received through different sources and ensure relevant follow up.
   7. Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
2. Monitoring

1. Support the development of a M&E plan and its various components (baseline, post-distribution monitoring, robust Management Information Systems and third-party monitoring), as required in collaboration with the M&E Section.
2. Undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
3. Produce relevant knowledge management products on the cash transfer programme through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well generating and documenting lessons learned;

4. 4. Ensure the timely preparation of relevant reports.
5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach
6. Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks.
7. Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects.
8. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programme planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
9. Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

4. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration
   1. Support the development of 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 and movement/distribution of supplies.
   2. Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
5. Optimum Use of Program Funds for cash transfer programme
   1. 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.
   2. Ensure all applicable Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) risk management measures are implemented.

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

• MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • Advanced university degree in international development, social sciences, public policy, public health, or relevant field
  • Five years of relevant professional work experience in operating humanitarian cash transfers, stakeholder engagement and project management.
  • Demonstrated experience running complex projects with little to no supervision.
  • Field experience implementing Humanitarian Cash Transfers.
  • Exposure to inter-agency and cash coordination processes would be considered an asset. Experience in working with Ukrainian government entities coordinating cash interventions would be a particularly strong asset.
  • Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner.
  • Experience in emergency programme implementation.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in use of cash in emergencies.
  • Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation.
  • Excellent communication & presentation skills (written & verbal) across multiple audiences with the ability to influence others while working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • High motivation, and dedication to deliver results within strict timeframes.
  • Native speaker of Ukrainian.
  • Fluency in English as a working language.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Builds and maintains partnerships; 
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness; 
• Drives to achieve results for impact; 
• Innovates and embraces change; 
• Nurtures, leads and manages people; 
• Works collaboratively with others; 
• Thinks and acts strategically; 
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

[Remove below text if not a child safeguarding elevated risk role]

[If applicable] This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert diversity profile] are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.