Programme Policy Officer: Cash-based transfers (CBT) SC8

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Programme Policy Officer: cash-based transfers (CBT)

SC8

Service Contract SC8

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

747392

04/04/2023

18/04/2023

WFP’s vision is that people in the Kyrgyz Republic will have substantially increased access to national social protection systems that safeguard and foster their ability to meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs, and to manage the risks and shocks they face, with ample opportunity to graduate from poverty and contribute to sustainable food systems, national disaster risk management efforts and social cohesion.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Since adoption of the first cash and voucher policy in 2008, WFP’s global capabilities have grown tremendously. WFP has gone from transferring USD 10 million to 1 million people in 10 countries in 2009 to delivering USD 2.3 billion to 42 million people in 69 countries in 2021, and also helped 52 governments to design and implement their own cash transfer programmes.

Likewise in the Kyrgyz Republic, WFP recognizes corporate principles of cash-based transfer (CBT) programmes: People are at the center: WFP believes that how it sends money is as important as how much it can send, so it gets the money to people when they need it the most, and in the way they find most safe and convenient, and that helps them unlock opportunities to improve their lives. People know what they need: WFP also aims to empower women and men with financial products and services that are safe, within their means, and to ensure they have the know-how to make their own spending and saving decisions. Everyone deserves a healthy diet: WFP seeks to help people to avoid trade-offs between sending their children to school or serving them a well-balanced meal, between buying medicine and buying the food they need each day. This entails understanding key household expenditures and working with government and other partners to make sure people have the resources to meet all of their food, nutrition, and other essential needs.

Supervision: The Programme Policy Officer for cash-based transfers reports within a cross-cutting/ enabling unit directly to the Head of Programme (CBT expert) and advises the Outcome Managers, facilitating cash operations, as programmed, with an assistant reporting to him/her. Close coordination is also expected with Budgeting/Finance, Supply Chain and Research Analysis and Monitoring units as well as the sub-office.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

1. Contribute to the development and implementation of CBT operations in line with the global WFP strategy and regional/functional strategies, policies and plans.
2. Support country context analyses and management of CBT operational networks, address operational challenges and obtain operational optimization.
3. Coordinate with WFP key CBT functions and other partners, agencies, NGOs, governments for an integrated approach to cash assistance and cross-functional operational alignment, including organizing and participating in regular meetings with WFP functional units such as Finance, RAM, Supply Chain.
4. Ensure that Field Level Agreements with Cooperating Partners (CP) and/or Financial Service Provider (FSP) agreements are strictly followed and implemented and, maintain a day-to-day contact with implementing partners to ensure a smooth roll out of agreed activities.
5. Support selection, registration, and verification activities of cash and/or voucher assistance recipients by coordinating day-to-day related activities and checks and act as Programme Unit focal point for any queries.
6. In close collaboration with other functional units, including but not limited to Programme, RAM, External Relations and Outcome Managers, and Cooperating Partners and FSPs, support organization and implementation of CBT-related sensitization activities for a wider reach of targeted populations.
7. Support the proper functioning of a Complaints and Feedback Mechanism (CFM) system and resolution of cash and voucher assistance related queries and feedback, including escalation to higher management and other stakeholders as needed.
8. Lead set-up, operation and development of CBT operations and cash and voucher assistance delivery system to enable WFP to implement its programmes. This includes, but not limited to, set-up of CBT digital solutions; collection of data for creation and review of payment instructions; issuance and distribution of payment instruments such as cards and vouchers; the assurance of CBT distributions to the right people, the collection of distribution reports from CP/FSP for reconciliation; project related trainings for staff, CP/FSP and retailers, drafts of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and all other implementing activities as needed;
9. Liaise with Regional Bureau/HQ, external and national counterparts on implementation, development and improvement of the CBT transfer platform, when needed.
10. Ensure all CBT-related data is accurately, timely and securely recorded and registered in relevant corporate systems used at the Country Office, liaising with other functional and support units as required.
11. Support incorporating and improving protection and gender in all areas of work on a daily basis, for inclusive, participatory and equitable programming that delivers gender equality results in food security and nutrition.
12. Other as required.

SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Contribute to CBT transfer value setting and adjustment, to ensure CBT programmes are implemented in line with programmatic objectives, donor conditionalities, funding availability and other key factors.
2. In collaboration with RAM and Supply Chain units, follow-up on developments of the financial services sector in Kyrgyz Republic, including but not limited to work of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic and other regulatory authorities, Islamic financial institutions, microfinance institutions and other entities relevant to financial sector in Kyrgyz Republic.
3. Support collaboration with key government counterparts, including but not limited to relevant line ministries, data protection authorities, financial regulatory authorities to ensure implementation of WFP CBT activities contributes positively to national systems strengthening of government social protection and cash transfer programming.
4. Presentation of WFP humanitarian cash set-up, incl. of related digital systems and privacy / data protection solutions
5. Data assurance, management and analysis responsibilities, incl. coding of script for automating CBT controls, in close coordination and with support of WFP HQ and Regional Bureau.
6. Staff supervision and coaching, incl. of colleagues without direct reporting lines.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Experience in analysing operational context and trends;
• Experience in implementing cash and/or voucher assistance programmes with local or international NGOs, government entities or UN organizations or private sector;
• Experience in supporting analytical and conceptual work on cash and/or voucher assistance strategy and implementation;
• Experience in analysing end-to-end processes for project and program implementation;
• Experience in troubleshooting and solving operational issues required;
• Experience and knowledge of data analysis and data management using digital technologies (such as, but not limited to, Python, SQL, R) is an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of financial and IT sector in Kyrgyz Republic or Central Asia is desired.

Education: Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: At least one (1) year of related postgraduate professional experience working for public or private sector organizations, international organizations, UN or NGOs.

Language: Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in English and proficiency in the duty station’s language(s) (Russian or Kyrgyz, both considered an advantage).

Background section for VA

WFP, the second largest UN agency in the Kyrgyz Republic, will support and promote the inclusion of people with diverse and often intersecting vulnerabilities and inequalities, by supporting nationally led social and civil protection systems and programmes (strengthening the government’s ability for anticipatory action and ensuring that no one is left behind) and by modelling new approaches within complementary WFP interventions (which can be adopted or transitioned), leveraging WFP’s global expertise in promoting healthy diets and sustainable food systems, climate risk management, warehousing, food safety, smallholder market access and innovations such as private sector-oriented solutions, micro-insurance and digital public goods.

Derived from the UN Cooperation Framework and national priorities, promoting participatory community engagement and nutrition-sensitive approaches, the 2nd generation Country Strategic Plan (2023-27 EN|RU) continues WFP’s human capital development, capacity building and productive asset creation activities to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, with a focus on food systems strengthening across three core pillars: (i) Social Protection; (ii) Climate Change Adaption, Disaster Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness; and (iii) Schools as platforms for healthy diets. In addition, a contingent emergency response outcome can be activated in case of need.

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

Leading by example with integrity,

Driving results and delivering on commitments,

Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,

Applying strategic thinking,

Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

Request for Disability related Reasonable Accommodations:

It is important to WFP to create an accessible and inclusive workplace for everyone. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection and hiring process, please direct your request and inquiries to the Diversity and Inclusion team on: [email protected], cc’ing [email protected]. A member of the reasonable accommodation team will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs.

This email is only to be used for any disability related accessibility requirements, and not for sending the application itself. Due to volume of applications, any applications or CVs sent through this email address will not be considered as a formal application and will not receive a reply from WFP.

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. 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.