Cash Based Response Advisor - Libya (based in Tunisia)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is working on scaling-up its presence for mid and long-term programming for Libyans, including those who have been internally displaced as well as returnees. It is imperative that Mercy Corps present itself as a key and reliable partner with various donors, INGOs, government authorities and civil society actors, to be part of the process of positive change. Mercy Corps, with its global experience in working in countries undergoing major transitions, will be a key contributor in the process, bringing knowledge, expertise and strong management skills to position the agency as a partner of choice for progressive change in Libya, as well as in response to vulnerable populations in Libya.

The main thrust of the work of Mercy Corps along with its national and international partners for the foreseeable future is to focus on meeting the urgent conflict-related humanitarian needs across the country. The heightened insecurity and continuous acts of violence make the humanitarian response not only more challenging, but increasingly complicated. We believe that a natural synergy exists between our response to the needs of Libyan internally displaced and those made vulnerable as a result of the conflict within Libya, and responding to the needs of those forced to flee and now living in displacement in Libyan cities. Mercy Corps will continue to work closely with the Libyan authorities and organizations and with our international partners to ensure an effective humanitarian response.

General Position Summary

The Cash Based Response Technical Advisor position was created to technically oversee Mercy Corps' Cash Based Response programming in Libya and to co-lead the CMWG with. S/he is responsible for drafting and disseminating a Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) response strategy and guidelines applicable to the humanitarian actors in Libya. The Cash Based Response Technical Advisor will work closely with all CTP stakeholders (communities, authorities, private sector service providers, relevant ministries, NGOs and UN agencies) to provide an effective, timely and strategic collective response to the developing situation, and help articulate the vision for Cash Transfer Programming development and quality as an integral component of the humanitarian response in Libya.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Promote and give guidance on the centrality of cash transfer programming (CTP) in the context of the humanitarian response, globally and in Libya.
• Develop strategies with the working group coordinators to ensure that CTP best practices are systematically implemented and up-dated in the humanitarian response interventions.
• Contribute to countrywide strategy development and promoting the centrality of CTP.

Technical Oversight

• Provide technical support and leadership to Mercy Corps Libya country program in the development and implementation of market- and cash-based programs;
• Provide technical assistance and capacity building in implementation of quality market-based components, and ensure compliance of cash programming to humanitarian standards, and with Mercy Corps procedures and donors' policies;
• Support the implementation of Mercy Corps' cash preparedness strategy at country level, including country-level digital cash platforms with links to financial service providers and considering financial inclusion;
• Monitor need, market and financial service providers capacity to determine the appropriate form of assistance, including cash, voucher, in-kind distributions, and market support interventions;
• Support the development of materials and guidance for cash transfer programs in Libya;
• Mainstream gender and protection into cash tools and guidance; contribute to financial and operational guidance for cash and market-based programming;
• Provide trainings to Mercy Corps' Libya Country Program, and Regional Staff (with a possibility for Shelter cluster support) on market assessment, response analysis, and the design and implementation of cash and market-based programs;
• Provide technical support to the implementation of cash programs, in adherence with international accountability standards such as Sphere, the SEEP Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS) and the CaLP Minimum Requirements for Market Analysis in Emergencies;
• As members of CaLP, participate in CaLP discussions and advisory groups as appropriate;
• Identify, document and share best practices and lessons learned from market- and cash-based programs with regions and community of practice; develop and contribute to agency knowledge databases and technical libraries;
• Master CTP modalities and apply knowledge for innovative programming as the core methodology of the collective humanitarian response.
• Collaborate with CWG partners to conduct relevant assessments, present evidence on the effectiveness of CTP and advise on best practices.
• Ensure monitoring mechanisms are in place to review impact of cash interventions and measure progress against implementation plans.
• Develop and strengthen the capacity of national NGOs to implement CTP in line with international standards.
• Infuse market interventions into existing programs under different working groups to make emergency response programs more responsive to local markets and more beneficial to general coping capacities.

Influence & Representation

• Nurture relationships with key sectors, which implement various forms of CTP.
• Build and manage collaborative partnerships with CWG partners.
• Maintain regular communication with other INGOs, local NGOs, donors and government working on CTP interventions.
• Nurture key relationships with donors, especially those with a focus and an interest in market- driven programming.
• Work with the Regional and HQ Program teams in identifying additional opportunities for medium-term and longer-term programming involving market-driven programming.

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Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Libya Programs Manager

Works Directly With: Mercy Corps Country team, CMWG Coordinator, CWG Partners, UN-OCHA, Sector Coordinators and other stakeholders.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S in economic development, international relations or other relevant degree;
• 3- 5 years of experience in cash programming, preferably across multiple sectors;
• Demonstrated understanding of the Coordination Architecture in the Cluster Approach;
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders;
• Experience in cluster coordination strongly preferred;
• Experience in identifying and developing local partnerships, including with the private sector;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; Arabic skills strongly preferred;
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment;
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will combine exceptional management skills, data analysis skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Tunis, Tunisia and it requires up to 20 % travel to Tripoli, Libya.

The location is accompanied. Housing accommodation is provided with freedom of movement beyond the house/office contingent to national moderate level of security measure. Amenities in field sites may be more basic.

Tunis is the capital city of Tunisia with a significant international community presence and many western amenities. Tunis has excellent educational and medical facilities. Tunisia is facing social and economic challenges, while performing its democratic transition.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Movements in Tripoli are restricted to essential.

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