Senior Cash-Based Interventions Officer (Institutionalisation)
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
While cash-based interventions (CBIs) have been used in UNHCR operations for many years, the Agency has made a renewed institutional commitment to scale and institutionalize CBIs across its operations and institutional structure. The Senior Management, in line with the High Commissioner¿s call for systematic and expanded use of CBIs, recently approved a framework laying out the foundations for the ¿UNHCR Cash-based Interventions Institutionalization Strategy 2016-2020¿. The organization now seeks to ensure that CBIs are mainstreamed across its operational structures so that the tools, systems, processes and procedures are able to accommodate and manage CBIs at par with in-kind. The strategy sets out to achieve the institutionalisation of CBIs over a five year period. It builds upon three interdependent work streams with the following objectives:
1) Systematise and expand the use of CBIs across all operations, which focusses on building the capacity in the field to consider and deliver CBIs.
2) Mainstream CBIs across UNHCR¿s Divisions and Bureaux, which focusses on the necessary transformations within the UNHCR institutional structures and processes so that they are able to embrace CBIs.
3) Develop a portfolio of well-defined cash delivery arrangements, in collaboration with partners including the private sector.
The Senior CBI Officer (Institutionalisation) supports the implementation of the CBI Strategy, particularly in relation to mainstreaming CBIs into different functions at the Headquarters and capacity building, working in very close collaboration with the Senior CBI Officer (Technical Support). S/he leads the development and review of the Strategy's Action Plans with the CBI Senior Working Group, and follows-up with relevant Bureaux, Divisions, and Services to ensure that activities are progressing in-line with the Action Plans. The incumbent supports Bureaux, Divisions and Services in identifying functional gaps related to CBIs and advises on solutions, including the adaptation of systems and development of cross-functional tools, and leads the development of cash delivery arrangements for UNHCR. S/he will also conduct missions to support operations with CBIs, particularly for institutionalisation activities including support and advice on issues related to systems, procedures and processes. Additionally, the incumbent will support the management of the day-to-day activities of the Section, including the management of relevant staff and consultants. Moreover, s/he is responsible for the Section's planning, budgeting and reporting. In support of the CBI Chief of Section, s/he will represent UNHCR at key meetings both internally and amongst global partners.
The Senior CBI Officer (Institutionalisation) will receive overall guidance and direction from and reports to the Chief of the CBI Section at UNHCR HQ. The UNHCR Operational Guidelines on the use of CBIs in Displacement Settings, the UNHCR Manual, and relevant UN and UNHCR programme and financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Senior CBI Officer. S/he is also expected to stay abreast of new developments and challenges related to CBIs that arise at different levels of the organisation and within the broader cash community in order to feed these into in-house capacity-building, systems adaptation, strategy and guidance.
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- CBIs mainstreamed into relevant functions of Bureaux, Divisions and Services.
- Action Plan of the CBI Strategy is reviewed and updated annually, and progress against Action Plan tracked.
- Planning and reporting requirements met, and input is provided in a timely and consistent manner.
- Functional trainings related to CBIs one conducted in collaboration with the Global Learning Centre.
- Functional guidance and tools related to CBIs one developed and operationalised.
- The roll-out of CBI Institutionalization Strategy is promoted, and coordination established and maintained to ensure reach within the CBI section, and between Headquarters Divisions and Services.
- Partnerships with UN Agencies and NGOs established on systems, processes and tools related to CBIs.
Responsibility
- Contribute to the institutionalisation of CBIs across UNHCR, in line with the CBI Strategy, and the development of organization-wide procedures and capacity to enable UNHCR to use CBIs in a systematic and accountable manner (overarching).
- Support the roll-out of the CBI Strategy.
- Facilitate and participate in HQ, Regional and Country level meetings, trainings and workshops with the dual objectives of increasing awareness and momentum for CBIs and ensuring stakeholder input.
- Mainstream CBI across UNHCR Divisions and Services.
- In close collaboration with Bureaux, Divisions, Services and the CBI Senior Working Group, identify cross-functional and/or organisation-wide gaps in the UNHCR infrastructure in relation to CBIs.
- In relation to the above, facilitate concerned Divisions and Services to undertake targeted studies and to develop guidance and tools relevant to improve the provision of CBIs.
- Working closely with the Senior CBI Officer (Technical Support), ensure linkages with complementary initiatives in-house, including relating to sectoral and technical development and roll-out of CBIs in operations.
- In close collaboration with relevant Divisions and partners including the private sector, lead the development of a portfolio of well-defined cash delivery arrangements.
- Promote cost-efficiency standards in CBI planning.
- Supervise inter-agency work on CBI preparedness.
- Coordinate the provision of requested support, advice and capacity building to selected support functions (e.g. finance, supply) in collaboration with the Senior CBI Officer (Technical Support) and the Chief of Section.
- Represent the Chief of Section in relevant external fora, as required.
- Lead the development and delivery of annual Action Plans of the UNHCR CBI Strategy.
- Lead the development, review, tracking and follow-up of annual CBI Strategy Action Plans in collaboration with the CBI Senior Working Group, identifying key activities to be conducted throughout the year.
- Support and provide guidance to Divisions and Services in delivering identified activities (see section 2).
- Support Chief of Section with engagement between the CBI Contact Group and operations in planning and design of CBIs, helping to identify and address technical, systemic and programme related issues.
- Conduct field missions to support operations with implementing CBIs, particularly for institutionalisation activities, including capacity building, institutional change management, assessments, reviews and evaluations.
- Support the CBI Chief of Section with the management of the Section.
- Develop the Section work plan and budget, ensure its timely implementation and regularly review progress with the Chief of Section.
- Ensure compliance with and follow-up of Audit recommendations.
- Develop and implement effective strategies and tools to collect and share experiences and lessons learned across countries, regions and HQ.
- Ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met.
- Manage Section's communications including maintaining the Intranet page.
- Guide and manage a team of preparedness, programme and institutionalisation staff and relevant consultants.
- Establish and manage a global cash expert roster.
- Support the functional clearance of UNHCR staff, affiliate workforce or consultants in the area of CBIs.
- Support the Chief of Section with the daily management of the section.
- Support the development and provide quality assurance for CBI trainings with the GLC:
- Support the development, revision and roll out of CBI training strategy in collaboration with GLC, CBI capacity builder/trainer and Senior CBI Officer (Technical Support).
- Provide quality assurance for CBI training materials, particularly relating to cross-functional and/or organisation-wide systemic issues.
- Support and deliver trainings at HQ, Regional and Country level, as required.
Authority
- Represent the CBI Section in communications and meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
- Guide and manage CBI Preparedness Advisor, programme and institutionalisation staff, and relevant consultants.
- Provide support and guidance to country operations and relevant Divisions and Services on institutionalisation activities, including developing and operationalising systems, processes and tools.
- Manage the human and financial resources of the CBI Section in consultation with and under the guidance of the Chief of CBI Section.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global strategies, protocols and guidelines.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree (Master¿s or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, political science, business administration or other relevant field.
- Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience, including field experience, and at least 3 years of international experience in CBIs with a UN Agency and/or an INGO.
- Knowledge of and experience with CBIs in displacement settings and humanitarian situations.
- Knowledge of UNHCR programme procedures and processes.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and training/capacity building preferably related to CBIs.
- Demonstrated ability to manage teams.
- Excellent knowledge of English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of UNHCR corporate software (MSRP, Focus, etc.).
- Knowledge of inter-agency environment.
- Change management experience.
- Fluency in French or Arabic.
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in Add.2 to the September 2015 Compendium is Monday 22 February 2016 (midnight Geneva time).