Livelihoods/CVA Officer

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

The IFRC has been present in the South Caucasus region, including through Country Delegation in Armenia since 1992 with large scale humanitarian programmes. Currently, IFRC has a Regional Country Cluster Delegation based in Tbilisi, Georgia that covers three countries in the South Caucasus. Since end of 2020, the IFRC opened a country office in Armenia.

Since September 2023, Armenia has experienced a massive influx of individuals following the military escalation starting on 19 September. Recognizing the urgency Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) is responding to the immediate needs of the people arriving to Armenia, as well as the medium- to longer-term humanitarian needs to contribute to early recovery of people affected by the disaster, including the population arriving to Armenia, host communities, and people from the disputed region who arrived during previous population movements. IFRC plays a constructive and proactive role in supporting the collective Movement response in close coordination with ARCS and ICRC. Thus, the Emergency Appeal was launched as part of a Federation-wide approach, based on the response priorities of the ARCS and in consultation with all Federation members contributing to the response.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to support the implementation and coordination of Livelihood and CVA programming within the IFRC / ARCS operations, provide relevant technical support as well as liaising with local counterparts. Considering the need of substantial expansion of respective activities in the current context, participating in capacity development is essential to meet the Livelihoods and CVA needs of the affected population. The Livelihoods/CVA Officer is expected to propose and support the implementation of relevant Livelihoods and CVA activities to ensure that support to the National Society and IFRC is tailored to the needs and context. The technical support provided shall be based on ARCS' existing expertise, its strategic priorities and be designed in accordance with the respective RCRC Movement standards and best practices. The officer will mainly work under the CVA / Livelihoods delegate in all relevant tasks relevant to CVA and Livelihoods.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Livelihoods Assessment and Feasibility

• Support IFRC and ARCS to design and implement a comprehensive Livelihoods assessment in line with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) and the Household Economic Security (HES). This includes, among other tasks, preparing questionnaires, support data collection exercise through KoBo, and managing Focus Group Discussions with the affected population.  

Livelihoods Response design

• Support the CVA/Livelihoods delegate and provide inputs for the design and implementation of a concrete Plan of Action for Livelihoods. Including activities’ timeframe, resources needed, indicators and sources of verification. If a case management approach is used to support Micro-entrepreneurship and self-employment draft SOPs accordingly. If cash-for livelihoods recovery activity is introduced, support the justification on CVA modality (condition/unconditional, restricted/unrestricted), value transfer and number of instalments.
• Based on knowledge of the Armenian context and the IFRC / ARCS capacity, provide relevant inputs for CVA and Livelihoods programs targeting mechanism.

Operational set up and monitoring

• Engage with local stakeholders and provide translations Armenian to English language when neccessary
• Support during processes and procurements (in cooperation with IFRC Logistics and HR) as required to ensure the resources to implement the planned activities are set.
• Support and provide technical support and inputs in the ongoing operation. Ensure programme delivery follows the Plan of Action, and beneficiary selection and transfer / delivery transfer mechanisms follow agreed IFRC and NS procedures and SOPs.
• Contribute to identify risks potentially affecting the projects, and contribute to mitigation measures.
• Support in developing and managing specific tools required for Livelihoods/CVA programs, for example Monitoring tools, PDM templates, Risk analysis tools, decision-making, data collection tools (KoBo), data management tool (EspoCRM, Excel), etc.
• Support in exploring additional Financial Service Providers engage with them when required.
• Engage and coordinate with ARCS branches and Volunteers when necessary for CVA / Livelihoods activities

Capacity building and future preparedness

• Participate and contribute to CVA and Livelihoods trainings for the NS, as well as day-to-day support to technical teams.

Reporting, Learning and Dissemination

• Contribute to the Livelihoods/CVA Indicator Tracking Table and IFRC Operational Updates.
• Contribute to potential Real-Time Evaluation inputs for Livelihoods/CVA projects, sharing operational constraints and capturing livelihood/CVA lessons learnt and ARCS good practices.

Advocacy and Coordination

• Participate in coordination for a, as the Resilience Working Group or the Cash Working Group. Internally, participate and support Movement technical coordination activities (Swiss RC, Austrian RC, ICRC, IFRC)
• Support IFRC / ARCS in developing partnerships agreements with private companies, including vocational training agencies or business incubators if required.
• Support and participate in engagement and coordination with Public entities as Chamber of Commerce or MoLSA / USS.
• Support engage with potential donors to disseminate on ARCS/IFRC Livelihoods/CVA projects and contribute to project proposals writing when needed.

Education

Required:

• University degree in relevant areas (such as Disaster Management, Project Management, Sociology, humanitarian assistance/development, economic or socio-economic development), technical qualification or equivalent experience
• Trained in some form of economic analysis including Livelihoods and CVA: Early Recovery Livelihoods Assessment (ERLA) or HEA/Household Economic Security, Livelihoods Programming Course (LPC), EMMA (Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis Approach) or MAG (IFRC), Cash Transfer Programing (CTP), EcoSec trainings, Microentrepreneurship, etc
• Livelihoods Basic Course by IFRC Livelihoods Resource Centre (LRC) or similar training on Market Assessment: RAM (IFRC/ICRC)

Preferred:

• Delegate Training (IMPACT, Foundations of IFRC), or equivalent experience

Experience

Required

• At least 2 years´ experience in livelihoods programming, Economic Security, Job counseling / Self-employment support programs, and community-based approaches
• At least 2 years´ experience in using Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) in humanitarian projects (i.e.: CVA feasibility assessments, market analysis, response design including setting targeting criteria, transfer values and delivery mechanisms, encashment, and monitoring)
• Experience in working with NGOs on Economic support and/or institutions providing job counselling, micro-entrepreneurship support and job placement

Preferred:

• At least 2 years’ experience in disaster management or response in humanitarian operations managing teams
• Experience of managing and coaching teams in multi-faceted projects, mentoring, coaching, training, and building the capacity of local staff and volunteers
• Experience in the coordination of private and public stakeholders, especially with Government entities and Private Companies
• Experience of developing M&E systems to monitor progress of implementation

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Knowledge of different Livelihoods, Cash Transfer and programme concepts, as well as the challenges and risks involved with implementing such programmes
• Understanding of CVA stakeholders in the NS, RCRC Movement, government, private sector
• Understanding and use of various beneficiary registration methods and systems
• Knowledge of feedback and response mechanism, including appropriate methods of beneficiary communication and channels

• Technical/professional knowledge within the areas of Livelihoods and CVA in humanitarian and/or development contexts, with an emphasis on the ability to design, implement and monitor cash responses, in a variety of contexts and in an inclusive manner
• Ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to staff and volunteers
• Ability to translate Armenian to English and vice versa
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Fluent spoken and written Armenian language

Preferred

• Understanding of integrated approaches to disaster response
• Knowledge of RCRC Movement CVA and Livelihoods tools and guidance
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Pro-activity; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust