Cash Transfer and Markets Specialist, Fixed Term, (P-3), Sana'a, Yemen, (528311)

Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager and in very close coordination with the Programme Management Team Leader, the Cash Transfer & Markets Specialist will be responsible to leaverage on the PMU experience to provide technical advisory to the Cash and Markets Working Group; and also provide technical support to new and ongoing cash transfer initiatives in support of country office sections.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Emergency Cash Transfer Project (ECTP) targets 1.5 million vulnerable beneficiary cases (over 9 million people) listed in the Social Welfare Fund (SWF) database delivering emergency safety net support across all Yemen districts and governorates with unconditional cash transfers in response to the socio-economic crisis. The ECTP is being rolled out nationally by UNICEF as the executing agency, with funds and technical assistance from the World Bank through the International Development Association. UNICEF has established a Project Management Unit (PMU) with staff members operating in Yemen and Jordan, to oversee the implementation.

Given that the project is a dynamic example of cash transfers during an emergency period but building on social protections systems, it is important for the project to be coordinated through two separate and distinct platforms, albeit programmatically linked. The Cash and Market Working Group is the platform for humanitarian cash coordination, while the Social Protection Committee is the platform for social protection coordination. At the global level, these two streams of cash programming work separately, but there is a need to ensure that the ECT as a social safety net being delivered as humanitarian cash is not only coordinated appropriately, but is leveraged towards strengthening the social protection system serving as the link between the two streams of work.

UNICEF’s current human resource capacity for delivery of the Emergency Cash Transfer is fully engaged with the operations of the cash project. Although the PMU that manages the ECT is a member of the Cash and Market Working Group, there is insufficient capacity to meet the needs of the group from UNICEF participation. UNICEF is not the chair or co-chair of the group, but being positioned with the largest cash transfer project in the country, UNICEF should have adequate and appropriate capacity to support technical assistance to the Cash and Market Working Group.Further; the PMU in its current role delivering cash transfers on behalf of the Yemen Country office Program Sections requires technical support from time to time.

Job Organizational Context & Purpose of Job:

Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager and in very close coordination with the Programme Management Team Leader, the Cash Transfer & Markets Specialist will be responsible to  leaverage on the PMU experience to provide technical advisory to the Cash and Markets Working Group; and also provide technical support to new and ongoing cash transfer initiatives in support of country office sections.

How can you make a difference?

• Serve as a member of the Cash and Market Working Group inclusive of participation in all meetings in person in Sana’a
• Provide technical support to the CMWG and if there is a gap, provide leadership for the conduct of mapping exercises around cash programming and transfers in Yemen
• Provide technical support to market analyses ensuring market price monitoring is consistent and sustained; and promotes a market-integrated approach to cash
• Ensure that the Yemen Emergency Cash Transfer project is benefiting from information generated from coordination and is informed by shifts led by the CMWG.
• Ensure that Yemen Emergency Cash Transfer updates are provided to the CMWG as and when available; and forms part of analyses conducted by the group
• Ensure that the PMU Team Leader is provided regular updates and briefings to inform his/her strategic advice to the Representative to allow for the Representative’s advocacy agenda around cash programming at the level of the UNCT/HCT to be evidence informed
• Develop various fact sheets and analyses to inform UNICEF’s work on cash and information around markets
• Promote and strengthen inter-agency collaboration and engagement on cash programming
• Support the implementation of other PMU Cash Transfer Programs as required.

Any other tasks as assigned by the PMU Team Leader

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in in economics, economic development, international relations, or other relevant degree
  A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in cash programming, preferably across multiple sectors; in a conflict / post conflict context
• Previous experience with cash transfer and market working groups preferred, but knowledge of cash and markets in terms of monitoring and analysis is critical
• Knowledge of standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience working with the Coordination Architecture in the Cluster Approach; experience in cluster coordination preferred
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local language of the duty station – Arabic is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Analyzing (II)
• Following instructions & procedures (II)
• Learning and Researching (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.