Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme CBI Officer is an active member of a bureau, field operation or division and provides strategic direction, quality control and oversight to UNHCR cash assistance. The incumbent ensures that operations implement technically sound CBI in line with technical guidance and supports the compliance with CBI policy and administrative instructions on CBI. S/he will ensure the strategic and coherent use of CBI and monitor them adequately. S/he will ensure adequate coordination of all CBIs in line with the collaborative cash delivery principles and provide technical guidance on CBIs to UNHCR staff and partners.
Internally s/he will liaise with UNHHR country offices and/or Bureaux and/or HQ and relevant divisions and sectors. Externally s/he will liaise with Implementing and Operational Partners, National Governments, line ministries, donors, UN agencies and other key stakeholders.
The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
– Promote cash assistance, and the strategic and coherent use of CBI’s, ensuring that CBI is maximised to meet protection, and in assistance and service provision throughout the displacement cycle, including in emergencies.
– Stay abreast of legal, political, security, technical and other developments which impact on the operational environment and assistance and service delivery through CBIs.
– Promote and ensure linkages with social protection and financial inclusion.
– Provide technical support on strategic planning and policy making on activities within the area of CBIs, including assessments, planning and budgeting, technical choices, legal and regulatory aspects, implementation modalities, coordination and monitoring.
– Support to ensure that CBI is fully, effectively integrated into the country operations plans and protection and solutions strategies.
– Collaborate with and support protection and sectors to increase the use of CBI in e.g. education, shelter, livelihoods, health and WASH programmes.
– Establish sound monitoring process for cash assistance, needed to measure and analyse CBI performance. Analyse trends and interventions, including CBI expenditure, upstream and downstream activities. Ensure post distribution monitoring (PDM) is conducted regularly and in line with the relevant guidance.
– Assess the technical soundness and generate recommendations for adjusting/adjust the CBI approach.
– Ensure fluid communication and information exchange with key stakeholders internally and externally.
– Lead/participate in relevant coordination and collaboration structures.
– Represent UNHCR or lead on behalf of UNHCR inter-agency coordination mechanisms on CBIs, promote and maintain collaborative cash arrangements, and strong relations with partners and other key actors, such as donors.
– Represent UNHCR in external technical fora.
– Generate data and analysis for evidence-base, communication, and visibility.
– Organise CBI-related knowledge management, learning and capacity building, including organising trainings and learning events.
– Fulfil CBI-related reporting requirements, including writing external updates, technical and PI material.
– Ensure the use of UNHCR CashAssist.
– Perform other related duties as required.
In Country Operations:
– In close collaboration with the Senior Management, ensure the functioning of CBI component of Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and ensure CBI is implemented according to UNHCR¿s policies, rules and regulations.
– Ensure CBI is included in the preparedness and response planning, and prepare UNHCR to be the first responder to new emergencies/ and return situations with CBI.
– Lead required assessments to ensure optimal CBI design.
– In collaboration with Finance and other colleagues, establish CBI Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the operation and coordinate the review with RB and the final clearance with HQ.
– Coordinate the Implementation CBI in accordance with the SOP, ensuring audit trail and proper accountability.
– Coordinate with Supply for timely procurement of financial service providers, including leading the technical evaluations and any other procurement related tasks, as well as contracting of financial service providers.
In Regional Bureaux:
– Ensure the coordination of CBI across the Regional Bureau and with country operations.
– Provide technical support to country operations, in all aspects of CBI delivery, in line with UNHCR¿s policy and guidance.
– Assess technical soundness of the operations.
– Review and provide inputs for CBI Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the operations and coordinate the review and final clearance with HQ.
– Review and provide inputs on issues and documents relating to procurement and contracting of financial service providers, including participation in technical evaluations as required.
In Headquarters:
– Generate organisation-wide guidance, policies, positioning, and tools, including policy documents, technical guidance, evaluations, lessons learnt, communication and visibility materials, reports, and synthesis.
– Provide technical support for the rollout and the implementation of CBI to regional bureaux and operations.
– Oversee CBI-related knowledge management, training and learning.
– Coordinate the interdivisional support and actively contribute to the SOP clearance with DFAM, CBI procurement-related documents with SMS, and CBI-related contracts with Financial Service Providers with LAS, and collaborate with other Divisions and services as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Economics; Social Science; Business Administration;
Social Economics; Political Science; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Management; HCR Results Based Management;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in working in cash based assistance programmes and proven knowledge and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CBIs from a multisectoral and protection perspective.
Desirable
Experience in interagency coordination.
Functional Skills
PG-UNHCR’s Programmes
CB-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning
PS-Private sector fundraising and partnerships
ER-Donor Relationship Development and Management
MG-Resource Mobilization Techniques and Guidelines
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
Requirements for the position include:
– Fully conversant with UNHCR Policy on CBI and very strong knowledge of/and experience in managing, end to end CBI programming. This would include in depth knowledge of the financial rules and procedures entailed by cash assistance as well solid understanding of UNHCR programming and audit procedures.
– Be able to demonstrate strategic thinking and a pragmatic approach in pursuing cash assistance.
– Experience providing technical support and guidance on all aspects related to CBIs, incl. assessments, planning and budgeting, technical choices, legal and regulatory aspects, implementation modalities and coordination.
– Experience working with national social protection systems, including in transitioning between humanitarian cash programmes to government social protection systems
– Experience working in inter-agency contexts, including chairing or actively participating in Cash Working Groups or other forums
– The incumbent will be detail-oriented and should be familiar with programming, procurement and the financial rules and regulations.
– Strong knowledge of cash and multi-sectoral programming is paramount to understand the opportunities and mitigate potential challenges of cash programming, including for sectoral outcomes
– To efficiently operate within the role, the incumbent will have proven knowledge in the set-up, design, implementation, and monitoring of CBIs from a multisectoral and protection perspective.
– Strong interpersonal, coordination, analytical and problem-solving skills are essential.
– S/he should be able to work under pressure, meeting multiple deadlines in a structured manner within a short timeframe, have excellent communication and writing skills.
Reporting to Assistant Rep (Prog), Senior Prog. CBI Officer manages a broad spectrum of the Basic Assistance/Cash programmes, including multi-purpose cash/winter assistance (cash) programmes and delivery mechanisms for other cash modalities. Participate and represent UNHCR at coordination meetings and Cash Working Group meetings and share information on UNHCR’s programmes and UNHCR’s position on targeting and eligibility. Senior Prog. CBI Officer holds a professional position responsible for provision of leadership, technical support and advice on strategic planning and policy making on activities within the area of CBIs as an integral part of UNHCR programme. The incumbent will make sure the cash-based interventions are implemented in line with UNHCR Policy on CBI and related Guidance Notes and toolkits. He/She will have to keep abreast of all new trends in the global cash sector and try to apply innovative, and yet simplified, procedures for implementation. Senior Programme CBI will be managing various processes relative to assistance delivery but also those related to needs and vulnerability assessments, targeting, monitoring and evaluation. Assist in negotiating implementing partner and financial service provider agreements. He/she will have to maintain strong relationship with various units and sector leads within UNHCR Ukraine, like Protection, IM, Shelter, to name a few. The staff member will also need to support UNHCR’s CFM given significant queries on cash programming from IDPs, refugees and other populations of concern. Bringing MFT from all those units and on various workstreams regularly will be of utmost importance, due to high complexity of the context and the CBI program. Similarly, he/she will be facilitating the UNHCR internal discussions and consultations leading to strategic decisions related to CBI.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Desired languages
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Requirements for the position include:
Fully conversant with UNHCR Policy on CBI and related Guidance Notes and toolkits.
Experience providing technical support and guidance on all aspects related to CBIs, incl. assessments, planning and budgeting, technical choices, legal and regulatory aspects, implementation modalities and coordination.
Experience working with national social protection systems, including in transitioning between humanitarian cash programmes to government shock-responsive social protection systems
Experience working in inter-agency contexts, including chairing or actively participating in Cash Working Groups or other forums
Reporting to Assistant Rep (Prog), Senior Program CBI Officer manages a broad spectrum of the Basic Assistance/Cash programmes, including multi-purpose cash/winter assistance (cash) programmes and delivery mechanisms for other cash modalities. Participate and represent UNHCR at coordination meetings and Cash Working Group meetings and share information on UNHCR’s programmes and UNHCR’s position on targeting and eligibility. Senior Prog. CBI Officer holds a professional position responsible for provision of leadership, technical support and advice on strategic planning and policy making on activities within the area of CBIs as an integral part of UNHCR programme. The incumbent will make sure the cash-based interventions are implemented in line with UNHCR Policy on CBI and related Guidance Notes and toolkits. He/She will have to keep abreast of all new trends in the global cash sector and try to apply innovative, and yet simplified, procedures for implementation. Senior Programme CBI will be managing various processes relative to assistance delivery but also those related to needs and vulnerability assessments, targeting, monitoring and evaluation. Assist in negotiating implementing partner and financial service provider agreements. He/she will have to maintain strong relationship with various units and sector leads within UNHCR Ukraine, like Protection, IM, Shelter, to name a few. The staff member will also need to support UNHCR’s CFM given significant queries on cash programming from IDPs, refugees and other populations of concern. Bringing MFT from all those units and on various workstreams regularly will be of utmost importance, due to high complexity of the context and the CBI program. Similarly, he/she will be facilitating the UNHCR internal discussions and consultations leading to strategic decisions related to CBI.
Living and Working Conditions:
General:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been present in Ukraine since 1994 but has increased its presence by a substantially larger scale up in the operation’s structure, staffing and response after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The geographical presence within Ukraine has significatively expanded to deliver the emergency response. The functions in the country office are currently divided between Kyiv and L’viv, and new operational offices have been established in the central and western regions. UNHCR now has direct operational presence in Chernivtsi, Dnipro, Kyiv, L’viv, Odesa, Poltava, Uzhhorod and Vinnytsia as well as in Donetsk and Luhansk, which are currently not under the control of the Government of Ukraine. The current structure is the foundation for the 2023 structure, however it will be continuously reviewed and adjusted in response to the evolving operational environment.
The war in Ukraine has caused death and suffering on a dramatic scale and left at least 17.6 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection. At the end of October 2022, over 6.5 million people are estimated to be internally displaced, while 7.8 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded across Europe, most of them women and children.
The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure, with the energy sector being particularly targeted in the fall of 2022, has made life unbearable for millions of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and has severely disrupted access to electricity, water, heating as well as critical services, including healthcare, education and social protection services. Humanitarian access continues to be hampered, particularly in areas in the East under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation.
Civilians remain exposed to serious risks to their physical security and integrity, particularly in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. The risk of GBV, including sexual violence, is high particularly in areas of active hostilities. The separation of families is one of the problems most reported by protection actors, particularly following displacement. Populations displaced or affected by the war live in situations of deprivation, following the loss or damage of their housing, loss of incomes, and the lack of access to essential services, such as health care or education.
The Government of Ukraine maintains a strong lead role in responding to the needs of its population and UNHCR supports the Government and its central and local institutions to provide protection, shelter/housing, cash and in-kind assistance to people impacted by the war. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, UNHCR operates as part of the inter-agency humanitarian response, working in close coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners. UNHCR is leading three clusters – Protection, Shelter and NFIs, and CCCM and is part of the Durable Solutions Steering Committee
The strategic orientation of UNHCR’s response is to reach people with specific vulnerabilities who remain in frontline and heavily-affected areas with immediate relief while supporting displaced people and those who have remained in their homes, or returned, with protection advice, shelter support and cash assistance to enable their attainment of durable solutions.
Security:
The war in Ukraine continues to evolve and areas of Donetska, Luhanska, Khersonska and Zaporizka oblasts in the east and south of Ukraine are currently under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation. The most intense fighting is now concentrated in the east (Donbas) and south of the country. At the same time, long-range cruise missiles and UAVs have been hitting vital infrastructure across the country, including airports at the start of the invasion. The airspace is therefore closed for commercial traffic, leaving cars and trains the only means of transportation across and in and out of the country. Large scale attacks on critical energy and transportation infrastructure have also taken place since October 2022. This has led to frequent power outages, internet, and connectivity problems; coupled with the harsh winter conditions, these developments present an additional challenge to the operational and security environment and affect staff safety and wellbeing.
The UN has not been targeted and retains its impartiality and neutrality when delivering its mandate. However, the danger cannot be fully ruled out, and risks to personnel and dependents, assets, and programmatic activities remain extant.
Security threats and risk levels are being identified and reviewed through comprehensive Security Risk Management SRM processes. The highest residual risks, assessed at this moment in time, emanate from the international armed conflict threat factors and vary from high in non-contested areas, to very high and even extreme, for areas where open armed hostilities are ongoing. In this context, the humanitarian space has shrunk, making access to beneficiaries in contested areas difficult.
To determine if a risk is acceptable, the UNHCR Representative, Heads of Offices and Programme Managers, security staff, and personnel apply the concept, principles, and applicability of the SRM process as defined by the UNSMS. However, the minimal projected risk level in Ukraine is still assessed as “high” which should be strongly considered, and staff applying for positions in Ukraine should be ready to live and work in a very dynamic security environment in which unexpected events could be a daily occurrence. Air raids are common, and staff can be obliged to work from bunkers or underground carparks for several hours. Power and water outages are to be expected in places of residence and shops, restaurants and other services can be disrupted. Curfews are in place country wide. Mission travel must be authorized by the Representative or designated managers and security clearance is mandatory. When necessary, the security unit works closely with UNDSS to make sure that programme activities can go ahead using the SRM processes and procedures that have already been set up and approved by the Designated Official or the ASC. Considering the changing operational and security environment in the country, UNHCR is flexible to relocate its offices to locations that would better serve the delivery of its mandate to help people in need of protection and assistance.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
HCR Results_Based Management – UNHCR, Programme Management – Other
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
Compendium
March 2023 Compendium – Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position requires Functional Clearance
How to apply
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Closing date of receipt of applications: 20 April 2023 (midnight Geneva time)
