Regional Cash and Market Systems Adviser CEE

Background

The Norwegian Refugee Council has been present in Ukraine since 2014, helping more than 700,000 people with food, shelter, water, sanitation, and legal assistance. Following the escalation of conflict since 24 February 2022, NRC is scaling up its efforts inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries Poland, Moldova and Romania to provide aid to tens of thousands people forced to flee. NRC is responding majority through local partners and to a lesser extent with direct implementation, by applying an integrated approach combining our sectoral areas of expertise such as legal aid (ICLA), protection from violence, education, livelihoods and food security, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, with a large part of delivered through cash modality.

Below is a summary of the role. Please download the detailed Job Description for further details.

What you will do:

Roles and responsibilities

The Regional Cash & Market Systems Advisor focuses on Cash-based Programming and Market Systems Programming into NRC's programming. This role offers expert advice and guidance to Country programme teams, specifically Cash and Markets Specialists/PDMs in countries where these themes are priorities. 

The Advisor provides advisory support, technical oversight, and capacity-building to Country Office (CO) staff in their area of expertise. The position also contribute to funding proposals from a thematic standpoint, helping COs identify donor opportunities and meet donor requirements. The position supports the development of strategic regional partnerships with financial service providers and other Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) actors.

The Advisor maintains a key relationship with NRC's Head Office Programme Development and Innovation Unit and the Global Development Lead responsible for overall policy and development of the thematic topic, contributing to organizational learning on the subject, based on CO inputs and experiences.

The CC and Thematic team operate within a technical matrix structure, collaborating with colleagues in technical and operational management structures in COs, the regional management group, and the global program function. They are also accountable to policy, strategy, and direction determined by the Head Office level of NRC. Effective collaboration with colleagues in the regional program team, at the Head Office, and in other regions is crucial for success in this role and maximizing shared learning across NRC.

Specific responsibilities:

1. In collaboration with the Global Cash and Market Systems Leads, provide technical guidance for and oversight of market based programming including CVA activities across the regions.
2. Lead the development of and provide / develop guidance on market based approaches across the region. 
3. Standardize technical approaches and guidelines within the regions around market based approaches (including CVA) as well as processes such as assessments, monitoring and evaluation.
4. Assist Country offices in designing and carrying out market assessments, analysing and designing evidence based programmes, identifying and using appropriate technology and tools/approaches, and carrying out periodic appraisals of market based programmes in the region.
5. Support CO C&M staff to build capacity of CO teams to prepare for and carry out emergency market assessments and cash/voucher responses (in case of absence .
6. Identify and monitor risks, constraints, technical issues and escalate issues related to market based programming (including CVA) based on evaluations, field visits and periodic reports for timely leadership action.
7. Contribute to the design of multi-county programmes/projects and identify various donor priorities and funding opportunities for the same, in collaboration with country teams and other Regional Technical Advisers.
8. In collaboration with other Regional Technical Advisers, identify and promote synergy and further these through suitable project conceptualization, design and development.
9. Coordinate at a regional level with technical focal points of different organisations and NRC technical units to share information, ensure learning is shared and identify opportunities for joint programming and fundraising.
10. Establish partnership with relevant research and academic institutions as appropriate, to build NRC’s regional evidence base, carry out operational research and document learning.
11. Support country offices in identifying their gaps in terms of capacity to deliver cash based programmes timely and at scale; as well as supporting the activities to be undertaken to increase the country teams’ capacity.

What you will bring:

• At least 5 years of experience in a Cash and/or Market Systems advisory or management level position within the humanitarian sector
• University degree in Economics or Business Studies or other relevant field 
• Knowledge and experience of systems analysis and intervention design
• Knowledge of and experience of market assessment tools and methodologies
• Knowledge of digital systems to support cash and market based programming.
• Good understanding and programmatic experience on various cross cutting issues such as gender, protection and environment.
• Strong analytical skills: Proven ability to research, write reports and present findings 
• High level of communication, interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Ability to work closely with field based staff and experience in various staff training and development approaches
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

Required skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts 
• Previous experience in the Ukraine or Eastern European context and advantage
• Experience with programme development, especially from an emergency and post-emergency phases
• Social Protection or similar programme and/or technical experience 

What we offer: 

• Type of contract and Duration : 12 months, National Contract
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale grade 9, terms and conditions.
• Duty station:  Primary duty station is Warsaw, Poland. (other locations where NRC has an office in Europe considered subject to discussion)
• Travel: 25% (Central and Eastern Europe Country Offices)

Nationals from Central & Eastern Europe are highly encouraged to apply.

EU nationals and those with the right to work in Poland will be prioritized.

Deadline to apply: 4/1/2024

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email ceero.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity

Learn more about NRC