Assistant Programme CBI Officer - TA

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Afghanistan invites qualified AFGHAN candidates to apply for the following vacancy:

Functional Title: Assistant Programme CBI Officer
Type of Appointment: Temporary Appointment ¿ 6 months
Grade: NOA
Duty Station: CO Kabul
Issue Date: 27 September 2021
Closing Date: 06 October 2021

Organizational/ Operational Context:

Cash-based Interventions (CBIs) are a dignified form of assistance, giving recipients the ability to immediately prioritize and address their specific needs such as food, shelter/accommodation, medication, livelihoods and other necessities. CBIs also directly complement community protection measures and support the local economy and can contribute to peaceful coexistence within and across communities as the funds distributed are used in local markets. In Afghanistan, UNHCR has a long history of delivering cash-based assistance to populations of concern in furtherance of the organization¿s protection, assistance and solutions strategies. Between 2002 and 2020 an estimated 5.2 million refugees voluntarily repatriated to Afghanistan with UNHCR¿s assistance. Presently, the operation delivers multiple CBI programmes including: Cash for Protection (COVID-response); Cash for Shelter Construction, Cash for Shelter Repair, Cash for Persons with Specific Needs, Cash for Voluntary Return, Cash for Livelihoods, Cash for Rent, Cash for Transportation, Solar Energy among others. UNHCR adopts a whole-of-community approach and as such cash-based interventions are directed to a cross-section of the community including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and members of the host community.

The incumbent is a member of the Cash Based Interventions Unit within the Programme Section. In this function, s/he will provide technical support during the course of CBI programming including design, implementation, monitoring, reporting and/or review of cash-based interventions in the Afghanistan operation. The incumbent supports to ensure that operations are compliant with the technical guidance and administrative instructions on CBI, and adequately monitored.

The Assistant Programme CBI Officer is supervised by a professional member who manages and oversees the UNHCR cash assistance programmes. S/he normally receives guidance and direction from the Programme CBI Officer.

Internally the Assistant Programme CBI Officer will also liaise with UNHCR field offices and relevant functional units in the country office. Externally s/he may liaise with Implementing and Operational Partners, National Governments, line ministries and UN agencies.

The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Programme CBI Officer, the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:

Duties/Responsibilities:

- Support the strategic and coherent use of CBI's in the operations, assisting to ensure that CBI is maximised in assistance and service provision, strongly linking it to CRRF, MYMP and development, including linkages with Social Protection and Financial Inclusion.
- Support the review of and assist in coordinating the final clearance with DFAM of the CBI Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the operations, with support from more senior staff.
- Support the development of cash assistance programmes and support the senior management to ensure that CBI is fully, effectively integrated into the country operations plan for protection and solutions and Annual Program Planning and COP.
- Assist in ensuring compliance to HALEP and that CBI is included in the preparedness and response planning and be a first responder to new emergencies/ and returns situations to ensure operations are using CBI as a modality, in collaboration with more senior staff.
- Support the effective and coordinated procurement and contracting of Financial Service Providers by procurement/supply and finance. 
- Provide technical support on planning and assist in policy making on activities within the area of CBIs as an integral part of UNHCR programmes including assessments, planning and budgeting, technical choices, legal and regulatory aspects, implementation modalities and coordination.
- Support and collaborate with sectors to increase the use of CBI in education, shelter, livelihoods and where applicable in health and WASH programmes.
- Support the adequate inter-agency coordination mechanisms on CBIs and assist in building and maintaining strong relations with partners, regional entities and represent UNHCR in CBI coordination, with support from more senior staff.
- Support the establishment of a sound monitoring process for cash assistance, with proper collection, use and monitoring of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyse CBI¿s performance. Assist the supervisor in analysing trends and target interventions including CBI expenditure, upstream and downstream activities.
- Assist the supervisor in assessing the technical soundness of the operations and generate data for evidence-based decisions.
- Assist the supervisor in fulfilling CBI related reporting requirements.
- Support the use of UNHCR corporate tools and systems.
- Perform other related duties as required

Essential qualifications, skills and professional experience

Education:
- Completion of undergraduate degree or higher

Language:
- Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English

Field(s) of Education

Economics; Social or Political Science; Business Administration;
Social Economics; or other relevant field.

Work Experience:
- For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree


Essential
Experience in cash-based assistance programmes, humanitarian programming or other relevant work experience. Knowledge and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CBIs

Functional Skills:
- PG-UNHCR's Programmes;
- PG-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning;

Core Competencies
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies
¿ Analytical Thinking
¿ Political Awareness
¿ Stakeholder Management

Managerial Competencies:
¿ Empowering and Building Trust
¿ Judgement and Decision Making
¿ Managing Resources

APPLICATION:

The management of the advertised openings in this announcement is in line with the provisions of the UNHCR Administrative Instruction on Recruitment and Assignment of Locally Recruited Staff (RALS).   The vacancies are open to eligible internal (Group 1 and Group 2) and external applicants.

¿ Internal applicants (Group 1 and Group 2) are requested to submit their applications through MSRP ¿ Self-Service ¿ Recruiting ¿ Careers or CLICK HERE . It is important that applicants update their fact sheets (languages, education and prior working experience) before submitting their applications.

¿ External applicants are requested to submit their applications through the UNHCR website - www.unhcr.org ¿ Career ¿ Career Opportunities ¿ Other Opportunities  or CLICK HERE . You will need to create an account as ¿New User¿ and then click on ¿My Account Information¿. Complete the application and submit it.

Important note:
- Candidates will be required to sit for a complementary written test followed by an oral interview.
- Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be invited for written test. 
- The recruitment for this position shall be in line with the new Recruitment and Assignment of Locally Recruited Staff (RALS) policy.
- Only applications submitted through MSRP will be accepted.
- Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for consideration