Social Protection & Cash Transfer Specialist-SC8

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a technical knowledge-based organization marching forward with policy dialogues and advocating for the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all ; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations in the underdeveloped countries. Our three main goals are : the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the Social Protection & Cash Transfer Specialist will be work with national level Community Based Organizations to build relations and actions in coordination with local and regional governments. The duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following
Technical Focus
The Social Protection & Cash Transfer Specialist is a SC8 position under direct leadership of the Programme Specialist. He/She, Officer will support the implementation and technical quality of integrating SRSP with Anticipatory Action approaches and activities, including through cash transfer modalities, at the country level in Bangladesh.
Tasks and responsibilities

The Social Protection & Cash Transfer Specialist will:

1. Identify the main entry points to link the national social protection system to Anticipatory Action
● Carry out a feasibility assessment of the national social protection system aimed at identifying the programmes and elements fit to deliver Anticipatory Action ahead of shocks.
● Develop a technical roadmap to create key linkages between the national social protection system and Anticipatory Action focusing on creating an enabling environment and support government up-take.
● Manage and deliver capacity development events on shock responsive social protection as a modality to channel anticipatory action (including through cash transfers).
● Support efforts to institutionalize SRSP and Anticipatory Action with key government, development and humanitarian partners, including by facilitating policy dialogue.
● Strengthen partnerships and inter-agency efforts on SRSP and Anticipatory Action.
● Support efforts to engage donors and new partners on the SRSP and Anticipatory Action agenda.

2. Coordinate cash transfer activities
● Lead the preparedness, planning, coordination and implementation of cash transfer activities (e.g. Unconditional Cash Transfers, Cash for Work, Cash , etc.) ensuring high operational standards and compliance with FAO rules and regulations;
● Develop and implement a cash preparedness roadmap to ensure that FAO will be ready to deliver cash transfers as per the plan as soon as an AA protocol will be triggered, including but not limited to feasibility assessments, capacity development and training, selection and registration of beneficiaries, selection of modalities and delivery mechanisms, value and frequency of cash transfers, identification and contracting of Service Providers (including Financial Service Providers), etc.
● Explore the feasibility of multiple programmatic and operational options for FAO to deliver cash transfers through the existing Social Protection system.
● Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cash transfers based on AA plan and ensure training (possibly including simulation), awareness and ownership of the various internal and external stakeholders.
● Liaise with and coordinate efforts of relevant internal stakeholders (programme, technical experts, procurement, finance-administration, budget holder, data management, MEAL, etc.) for cash transfer preparedness and implementation.
● Identify and implement recommendations to enhance the timeliness, effectiveness and impact of cash transfer interventions at all phases of the project cycle.
● Participate in and support multi-stakeholder coordination and partnership mechanisms on cash transfer, AA and SRSP, and liaise with key stakeholders (government and humanitarian actors) to ensure complementarity with other sectors/clusters/interventions.
● Share regular information and provide timely reporting on the progress, achievements, impact, cost-effectiveness, and/or challenges and bottlenecks of implementation of cash transfer interventions with recommendations to improve quality, impact and timeliness.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in one or more of the following: social protection, social policy, law, rural development, development studies, humanitarian action or equivalent
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the field of social protection and rural development, including experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation, capacity development including cash and voucher assistance (CVA).
• Knowledge of social protection, cash transfers, rural development and agriculture context in Bangladesh.
• Previous experience related to this position will be added an advantage.
• Working knowledge of English and Bangla preferable.
• Nationals of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Good written communication skills, including in emergency settings;
• Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
• Strong foundation in programme formulation, planning, implementation, management and evaluation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.