PPO (CBT : Cash Based Transfers Assurance Officer, ), Int CST, Niamey, Niger

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

CONTEXT

Niger is a low-income, landlocked Sahelian country, ranked last in the global Humanitarian Development Index (HDI). The country faces chronic vulnerabilities caused mainly by poverty, demographic pressure, economic and climatic shocks, food insecurity, in addition to persistent gender inequalities. National budgets dedicated to social protection are limited and capacity in terms of human and financial resources are low, especially at the decentralized level for food security, nutrition and education. In addition, annual population growth is 3.9%, the highest in Africa, and out of 14.4 million hectares of arable land in Niger, 3.9 million hectares are degraded.

Grounded in the government’s High Commission for the Initiative "Nigeriens Nourish Nigeriens" (I3N), WFP began rolling out an integrated, participatory, multi-year and multisectoral livelihoods programme in 2014. Working together with partners and the Government, WFP’s livelihoods approach combines asset creation, school feeding and nutrition interventions, capacity strengthening, adolescent girls support, lean season assistance, social protection, and other activities. Five years of this approach in Niger have highlighted several positive effects in assisted communities, including on social cohesion, agricultural productivity, as well as women’s and youth empowerment. Based on these results, WFP scaled-up integrated livelihoods interventions since 2018 as a contribution to the I3N “Pro-resilience” program launched in 2018. To ensure the success of the programme, WFP Niger works with a range of relevant strategic and operational partners to enhance leadership and capacity strengthening with the government, strengthen synergies and complementarities with UN agencies and NGOs, and to enhance evidence building on the impact of livelihoods interventions with research institutions.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Where markets and the financial sector are functioning, Cash Based Transfers (CBTs) can be an effective path to achieve food security and nutrition outcomes. The World Food Programme (WFP) uses CBTs to empower people with choice to address their essential needs in local markets, while also helping to boost these markets. Since 2021, WFP Niger has been providing food assistance through CBT in 7 regions (Agadez, Diffa, Zinder, Maradi, Tillabéry, Dosso and Tahoua) of the country and across different activities, including emergency food assistance, nutrition, school feeding, resilience and asset creation, and adaptive social protection.

In 2021, CBT represented only 30 percent of WFP Niger food assistance operations however the Country Office operated a major shift with the 2022 crisis, increasing the proportion of CBT transfers to 70 percent. WFP has contracted financial service providers (microfinance and remittance companies), cooperating partners and retailers to deliver the CBTs through immediate cash (cash in hand/ envelop) and electronic value voucher through SCOPE. The Country Office has set up a CBT reconciliation Group and is putting in place reconciliation related processes (SOPs).

One of the cornerstones of WFP’s cash transfer programme is to ensure that central controls are in place for our CBT programs to ensure that the correct transfers go to the correct beneficiaries on time. WFP has developed a number of tools and processes to meet these corporate controls.

Within this context, the CBT Assurance Officer will support the country operation to meet the corporate assurance controls, with a specific focus on establishing required internal processes, overseeing monthly reconciliation and capacity building of staff and partners. The CBT Assurance Officer will also work jointly with other cross-functional teams on key assurance areas, including beneficiary identity verification and implementing other key corporate systems and tools to meet the assurance controls. The Officer will also be asked to maintain a series of regional Assurance and Reconciliation dashboards for the CO.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall direction and guidance of the CBT Programme Policy Officer, and in line with WFP corporate strategy, guidance materials and standards for CBT, the CBT Assurance Officer will have the following main responsibilities:

1. Review contractual arrangements between WFP and its CBT transfer agents right from the inception to date ensuring that disbursement arrangements to the beneficiaries and reporting requirements are implemented and documented in accordance with the contracts.
2. Work jointly with other cross-functional colleagues to ensure the CO is implementing key corporate assurance standards.
3. Prepare risk-based reconciliation plans and programmes, prepare and review reconciliation reports, develop and document the existing beneficiary reconciliation steps, produce recommendations to address shortcomings identified, strengthen internal controls regarding beneficiary reconciliations and improve business processes
4. Oversee the monthly transfer reconciliation in the CO and produce a monthly reconciliation memo that is presented to CO management.
5. Consult with key HQ stakeholders to determine the best tools and systems to put in place for reconciliation, verification, and other key assurance measures.
6. Complete the Regional Assurance and Reconciliation Dashboards, including assurance and reconciliation monitoring, and ensure timely follow-up with cross-functional colleagues.

7. Support the annual reporting processes of ensuring reconciliation between corporate reporting systems (WINGS, COMET) and data sets.

8. Train, guide and provide leadership to the Reconciliation Group on upcoming issues

9. Ensure compliance with donor requirements related to the utilization of CTB transfers.

10. When required performing data analysis and summarizing data for business needs.

11. Support in the creation of data visualisations, dashboards, and other outputs as requested by CO management.

12. Other duties, as required.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Monthly reconciliation is completed with detailed reports produced.
• Country office progressively puts in place essential CBT corporate assurance controls, including corporate systems and tools.
• Ensure regional reporting is completed on time.
• Maintain up-to-date CO dashboards and data visualisations.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives : Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
• Be a force for positive change : Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
• Make the mission inspiring to our team : Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions : Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills : Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
• Create an inclusive culture : Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback : Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit : Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions : Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
• Focus on getting results : Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments : Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
• Be Decisive : Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units : Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning
• Build strong external partnerships : Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships
• Be politically agile & adaptable : Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships : Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

At least five (5) years or more of relevant progressive work experience in planning, leading, and executing reconciliations, database management and data analysis. Proven experience in managing relational databases.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Advanced University degree in Audit, Business and Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, information Technology and Computer Science, or any other related field. First University degree with additional professional experience. Completed certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Chartered Accountant (CCA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent is recommended (or proven reconciliation experience).

• Language: Fluency in oral and written French and English.

• Context: Good understanding of Niger and Sahel context is highly desirable.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers equal opportunities to all

WFP is committed to promoting a work culture in which every employee understands and is able to carry out their work responsibilities and maintain the dignity of their co-workers. WFP offers career opportunities for its employees and supports them in their professional development with training and continuous learning actions.

WFP is also committed to creating and maintaining a harmonious climate in the workplace, based on mutual respect and understanding, free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority and respectful of diversity. WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages qualified women and men from all religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. WFP has a zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate based on the status of HIV / AIDS.

Finally, WFP seeks to promote gender equality and women's empowerment and is confident that its mission to fight global hunger can only be achieved if women, men, girls and boys equal opportunity for access to resources and services and participation in decision-making roles

• Contract Duration: 11 months extendable

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

• Eligibility: WFP is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Closing date of application: 5 November 2022

Applications should be sent only on-line through WFP recruitment website.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you do not hear from us within 2 months, please consider your application unsuccessful.

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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