International Consultant for Cash-Based Transfer

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGENMENT

WFP provides life-saving food assistance to the displaced and other most vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas in Myanmar. Through its Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2018 – 2022), WFP continues direct implementation of food assistance while increasing capacity strengthening activities with a view to laying the groundwork for government ownership of food and nutrition security programmes by 2030. With more than 270 staff, WFP currently operates from its Country Office in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, a support office in Yangon and six field offices across the country. WFP co-leads the Food Security Sector with FAO in Myanmar, and co-leads the Myanmar Cash Working Group.

There is growing evidence that a deepening humanitarian crisis is rapidly unfolding in Myanmar – with a high risk of increased food insecurity and malnutrition. In addition to an estimated 2.8 million food-insecure people prior to the military takeover, WFP assessments estimate that an additional 3.4 million people across Myanmar are at risk of food insecurity by the end of 2021. 

Conflict-driven population displacement is rising sharply, compounded by the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic which has led to job losses due to lockdowns and factory closures, as well as declining remittances from abroad.

WFP is currently providing life-saving monthly cash and food distributions to over 360,000 people – mainly internally displaced and living in camps. At the same time, WFP is responding to an increase in needs, with a focus on internally displaced as well as the population of urban and peri-urban areas.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

To contribute towards achieving WFP’s role and commitment of ‘Saving Lives and Changing Lives’ contributing to ending hunger and malnutrition, the WFP Myanmar CO is seeking an international consultant with an extensive cash-based transfer background. Reporting directly to the Deputy Country Director (Programme), the consultant will be expected to perform the below actions.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

A: CBT Strategic and Operational support

• Support the different WFP teams responsible for achieving the Strategic Outcomes (SOs) of the WFP country strategic plan to design integrated cash-based transfer programmes, identify areas of overlap and gaps with other stakeholders in terms of geography and programme purpose, programme design and delivery, joint objectives and exit strategies.
• Be innovative and visionary at the programme design phase across SO teams to reach the highest effectiveness of a given response. Proactively juggle with transfer modalities to reach the most appropriate choice for a defined context; consider opportunities for multipurpose cash, linkages to social protection programming and integration of market interventions into existing programmes to make emergency responses more responsive to local markets and more beneficial to general coping capacities.
• Contribute to the Country Office cash-based transfer emergency preparedness and contingency planning to respond to humanitarian crises and needs, in particular in the current context of civil unrest, displacement and in urban/peri-urban environments. This also takes into account a flexible approach to switch between modalities or use combined in-kind/CBT modalities, working closely with other functions and teams.
• Support all CO CBT programmes throughout the CBT programme cycle, in line with the new corporate Business Process Model and other corporate guidelines. This includes a wide range of programme and policy issues such as feasibility and context assessment and analysis, intervention design and purpose, activities, cash disbursement mechanisms, and transition of modalities, monitoring, as well as amendments to programme implementation as and when required.
• Guide and coordinate Country Office units (e.g. Logistics, Procurement, ICT, Finance, M&E and VAM (food security analysis)) to ensure synchronized technical backstopping and compliance with corporate policy, strategic objectives and guidance.
• In collaboration with other units develop, update and ensure Standard Operational procedures (SOP) aligned with corporate manuals and guidelines;
• In close coordination with the AAP and Protection teams at the CO and RBB, support the incorporation of gender and protection perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
• Support the oversight and audit missions by RBB and the HQ, and ensure that the recommendations from the mission/s are duly implemented in the country office, and related documents and processes are regularly updated and aligned with the corporate policies with support from RBB and HQ cross-functional teams.

B: Internal and external CBT capacity strengthening

• Build the capacities of the team at the national and sub-offices in CBT design, delivery and assurance.
• Lead and support the development of functional trainings in areas of expertise in consultation with RBB and HQ to enhance the capacity of cross-functional WFP staff and partners to design and deliver efficient and effective cash-based transfer programmes.

C: CBT Coordination and Partnerships

• Develop operational partnerships and maintain established strategic partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative emergency response approaches and initiatives for cash-based transfers that improve impact of assistance and support advocacy work, such as joint assessments and monitoring, common CBT delivery platforms, multipurpose cash, linkages with social protection etc.
• Enhance and ensure WFP’s leadership status in different fora such as external Cash and Vouchers Working Group, and support the WFP-leads of the Social Protection Sub-Sector Working Group and Food Security Cluster on matters related to cash-based transfers.

D: Resource mobilization, CBT advocacy, and others.

• Manage or oversee the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use such as evidence building, advocacy purposes, and fund generation.
• Advocate for resources for a broad portfolio of WFP projects, including clearly articulating the need for cash-based transfers and related programme opportunities, and follow up on the resource allocation for projects including human resources and fund availability.

• Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for the achievement of set objectives within a dedicated budget

Academic Qualifications and relevant skills

• Advanced University degree in Social Science field (International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Statistics, or other fields relevant to international development assistance).
• At least 8 or more Years of relevant national and/or international experience with exclusive strategic and operational knowledge and experience on Cash Based Transfers.
• Knowledge of WFP procedures in setting up standard operating procedures with financial service providers would be desirable.
• Experience in working with governments on cash-based transfer modalities of assistance and/or in government social safety net programmes is an added advantage.

Technical Skills:

• Technical skills and experience in designing and implementing humanitarian and recovery cash based transfer programmes.
• Excellent written and oral communications and presentation/facilitation skills.
• Excellent understanding of national and UN institutional frameworks, including financial management frameworks.
• Knowledge of the UN operational programme, while WFP programmatic and partnership experience is preferred.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and staff in the office, host population, the Government of Myanmar, donors, other cash and vouchers actors, UN agencies, and others.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural team, and establish an effective working relationship with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Language

Excellent command of English (oral and written)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.