Cash-Based Interventions Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Cash-Based Interventions Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) Officer will ensure that cash and vouchers are routinely considered as a response option in both emergency and protracted situations within the area of responsibility (AoR), are complementary of other types of assistance and are planned, implemented and monitored in line with best practice and organizational guidance. The incumbent plays a role in programme coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation as well as promoting capacity-building of UNHCR personnel and partners, and advocacy, information and communication on cash and voucher-related issues.

S/he will liaise with Sub/Field offices within the AoR, DPSM/Cash-Based Interventions Section, and the Regional Bureau/Desk. S/he supports and, where applicable, provides guidance to the growing network of UNHCR CBIs focal points and officers as well as to Implementing and Operational Partners, National Governments, line ministries and UN agencies, particularly WFP.

S/he will provide policy and guidance on CBIs, provide information on specific technical guidelines, briefings, trainings, provide input on evaluation documents, carry out assessments, facilitate contact with WFP, other partners and financial institutions, advise on local agreements, review reports, consult on technical protocols and standard operating procedures, advise on specific cash-based interventions, , contribute to advocacy and support fundraising.

S/he will coordinate approaches and strengthen/develop strategic partnerships with other country/regional UN agencies including WFP, NGOs as well as private sector partners involved in CBIs, to share information, experiences, carry out joint assessments and feasibility studies, produce joint guidelines, implement joint projects where appropriate, seek new opportunities for collaboration, seek financial and technical support, conduct joint trainings and operational research.

The incumbent holds a professional position responsible for provision of technical support and advice as well as advice on strategic planning and policy making on activities within the area of CBIs as an integral part of UNHCR programmes.

The CBIs Officer will receive overall guidance and direction from the Representative and normally report to the Assistant Representative (Programme) or a Senior Programme or Operations Officer. S/he will maintain close links with the CBI Section in UNHCR HQ.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- CBIs are consistently considered as a response option across the AoR. CBIs are feasible, appropriate, technically-sound, cost-effective, innovative, sustainable and complimentary to other forms of assistance. Where applicable, this is done in close partnership with WFP and/or other partners.
- CBIs are designed and implemented according to UNHCR guidelines and good practice established, with the overall objective of contributing to the well-being of beneficiaries. Strong technical expertise and support on all aspects is provided to the countries.
- A country CBIs action plan is in place which identifies opportunities and a concrete and realistic way forward for starting new CBIs as well as scaling up existing CBIs over time.

Responsibility
- Contribute to Strengthening of the organization¿s role as the country reference agency for CBIs in displacement settings by developing and implementing a practicable strategy to institutionalise and scale up the use of CBIs throughout UNHCR country operation.
- Support the development and dissemination of policies, operational guidance, instructions, tools and analytical frameworks aimed at ensuring the technical integrity of cash-based programmes, building on existing guidance and tools wherever possible.
- Liaise with technical sectors (shelter, public health, livelihoods, energy, registration, data management, etc.) and protection colleagues in the country office to integrate CBIs into existing approaches, tools and strategies.
- Contribute to defining and promoting an integrated vision of providing assistance which incorporates in-kind and cash and voucher modalities to meet UNHCR objectives.
- Maintain regular contact with the Cash-Based Interventions Section at HQ to ensure appropriate backstopping, the application and dissemination of best practice and the collection of lessons learned.
- Sustain and expand a network of strategic and operational partners (incl. UN agencies, INGOs, research institutions, private entities) to ensure complementarity and efficiency and share lessons learned.
- Where appropriate, encourage the development of a common platform for provision of assistance (food and/or non-food) between UNHCR and other agencies/partners.
- Coordinate internally; incl. with technical sectors at country and regional level, DPSM technical sections, DIP, Bureaux and DER.
- Provide technical support in emergencies and ongoing displacement situations through technical assistance and advice on all aspects related to CBIs, including assessments, planning and budgeting, technical choices, legal and regulatory aspects, implementation modalities and coordination.
- Review and provide technical inputs on reports and programme proposals.
- Support the establishment and engage with multi-functional teams implementing CBIs; facilitate capacity strengthening of programme, protection, ICT, finance/admin, supply/procurement personnel on various aspects of CBIs.
- Identify skill and knowledge gaps and help country office address these through training, recruitment, etc.
- Advocate within UNHCR for adequate resourcing of CBIs, including the deployment of qualified technical specialist staff.

Authority
- Provide technical support and guidance on overall strategy, design, implementation and reporting on CBIs in the AoR.
- Make judgments on the quality of project proposals coming from implementing partners.
- Represent UNHCR in relevant meetings related to CBIs.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Economics, Social Sciences or a related field plus minimum 6 years of previous job experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Proven knowledge and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CBIs from a multi-sectoral perspective.
- Experience in working effectively with NGOs, UN organisations, or government authorities at national level.
- Excellent networking skills with private and public sector institutions.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Working knowledge of an additional UN language and/or the local language.
- Experience in conducting AGDM and multi-functional assessments.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR programmes and UNHCR programming.
- Training and capacity building of refugees, government and implementing partners.
-       Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Cash-Based Interventions Officer positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. 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
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

¿ Capacity to support the development and dissemination of UNHCR policies, operational guidance, instructions, tools and analytical frameworks aimed at ensuring the technical integrity of cash-based programmes, building on existing guidance and tools wherever possible.
¿ Communication and strong people skills to liaise with colleagues in the country office to integrate CBIs into existing approaches, tools and strategies as well as CBI Section at HQS to ensure appropriate implementation of CBI activities.
¿ Aptitude to support the establishment and engage with multi-functional teams to adequately implementing CBIs; facilitate capacity strengthening of programme, protection, ICT, finance/admin, supply/procurement personnel on various aspects of CBIs.
¿ Knowledge to review and provide technical inputs on reports and programme proposals as well as ability to identify skill and knowledge gaps and help the office address the findings.
¿ Advocating skills to lobby within UNHCR for adequate resourcing of CBIs, including the deployment of qualified technical specialist staff.
¿ Good knowledge of UNHCR programmes, UNHCR programming and Results Based Management
¿ Excellent command in English and Spanish, essential.
¿ Consensus teambuilding and cultural sensitivity needed as the team is diverse The current drivers of forced displacement in North of Central America (NCA) persist in 2018. Central Americans continue to cross Mexico¿s southern border in significant numbers to seek protection. Due to a lack of information, detention policies, the limited number of locations with COMAR presence as well as inadequate reception arrangements, many people with international protection needs attempt to make the dangerous journey north to the United States without making an asylum claim in Mexico. As progress has been achieved in building the asylum system and in improving reception arrangements, as well as in the provision of local integration opportunities, the number of claimants in Mexico has increased, as has the number of people who successfully integrate.

The number of asylum claims in the first half of 2018 was 9,790 and well over 1000% higher than in 2013. According to COMAR¿s data, of the total 14,596 asylum applicants in 2017, 59.3% were from the NCA (Honduras 29.7%, El Salvador 25.4%, Guatemala 4.6%). UNHCR estimates that the increase in claims would have been significantly higher but the material damage to COMAR¿s Mexico City headquarters due to the September earthquake and the difficulties faced by COMAR to fully resume its operations had an impact in the processing of claims. Today there is a backlog of 53% of claimants. In 2017, a total of 2,853 were recognized as refugees or received complementary protection, a decrease of seven per cent compared to 2016. For 2018, unofficial data from COMAR for the first half of the year confirm an increase of almost 50% over the number of claimants in the first half of 2017. However, claims from the North of Central America were up over 80%, an increase of more than twice what UNHCR projected.  This increase is putting additional pressure on an already weak asylum system and assistance providers. The impact of the increasing number of claimants is most acutely felt in towns and cities close to the border with Guatemala. Authorities in southern Mexico report that public services are stretched by these arrivals and that this is feeding xenophobia.

UNHCR estimates that violence against PoC is underreported, and generally goes unpunished. An increasing number of PoC have required relocation due to security risks in the southern states, especially transgender women. Comprehensive protection services to PoC such as legal assistance, referrals in a dignified and confidential manner, prevention and response to SGBV, child protection, and psychosocial support, medical and psychiatric services are lacking in many locations. Although UNHCR has funded positions to provide legal and psychosocial support and is working closely with partners such as DIF, COMAR and UNICEF, this does not cover the overall needs. Mexico offers a favourable legal framework for the inclusion of refugees in public services and their local integration, both in socio-economic and legal terms. Refugees are issued a permanent residence card and a social security number and a population registration number (CURP), which permits access to public services. Refugees have access to the national education and health system and enjoy the right to work. Applications for naturalisation can be made by people from Latin America after two years of permanent residence. The procedure takes six months, is affordable and has simplified criteria applicable to refugees. A dynamic economy in central and northern states such as Coahuila, Jalisco, and Baja California complements this favourable legal framework. Chambers of commerce report thousands of vacancies in these States and are willing to cooperate with UNHCR and with partners in order to organize the relocation of refugees and facilitate job placement. While the legal framework and current economic conditions create the potential for successful local integration, careful planning, coordination and case support is essential. As a result, UNHCR is reinforcing efforts for local integration, offering vocational training and job placement programs in cooperation with the private sector. ¿ Family duty station A
¿ Very good infrastructure (health, housing, banking transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities)
¿ Adequate schools. There is no lack of private schools, although the number of bilingual or bicultural schools is not high. ¿ Good security awareness needed.
¿ Common crime is a concern; staff should be alert and adopt basic precautions.
¿ Although there is no official curfew in place, staff are advised not to circulate after dark. ¿ Previous experience in Latin America is highly desirable.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)