Associate Program Cash Base Intervention Officer

Volunteering Finance & Economy

Overview

Implement and monitor cash-based interventions for refugees.

You have:

• Experience working in UN or international development organizations.
• Experience with cash transfer programs is an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Understanding of UNHCR procedures and relevant technical capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written.
• Self-motivated and ability to work with minimum supervision.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Republic of Mali is a signatory to the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Additional Protocol. It has also signed and ratified the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee and Asylum Problems in Africa. Despite multi-dimensional internal conflicts, Mali never ceases to receive nationals from other neighboring countries seeking asylum and protection, thanks to its open-door policy.

The multidimensional crisis that Mali has been facing since 2012, has not improved despite the various efforts undertaken by different actors to return peace. Despite the pooling of forces between Burkina Faso and Mali in the fight against armed terrorist groups, the security situation remains highly volatile on the border strip with Burkina Faso covering the Centre (Douentza, Bandager, San) and Gao regions. On the other side of the border, the same climate of insecurity prevails in the localities bordering Burkina-Faso. The insecurity fostered by the GAT on both sides of the border has led to massive and continuous movements of people towards Mali, precisely in the regions of Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Gao, Menaka, etc.

Since October 2023, waves of population movements from Burkina Faso have been regularly recorded in the villages and towns bordering Mali, particularly in the Central regions. These movements continued in waves until the end of May 2024, depending on events in the country of origin, with an estimated 500 people per day in towns such as Koro in the Bandiagara region and Mondoro in the Douentza region.

At the end of July 2024, about 44,123 new refugees (14,71 households) were registered, including 41,661 refugees (13,890 households) from Burkina Faso. UNHCR operation in Mali has been actively involved in receiving, registering, and caring for asylum seekers from Burkina Faso, mainly in the central regions, notably Bandiagara, Douentza, San, Mopti, and Sikasso.

As part of responses, multi-purpose cash transfers were made through our financial service provider (ECOBANK) to 26,154 refugees (9,443 households) for a total amount equivalent to US$ 1,276,598. For flexible and mixed emergency shelter solutions, cash for shelter transfers benefited 2,590 refugees (888 households) for a total value of US$ 293,438.

The project aims to facilitate assistance to newly arrived refugees, more than 44,123 persons, in the AoR of the Mopti sub-office through Cash-Based Interventions. With the declaration of Central Sahel Emergency L1 on the 05th of February 2024, Mali Operation has received additional funds of US$ 7.8 M including around US$ 5M for CBI

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Mopti Sub-Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Programme CBI Officer will:

• Implement the CBI for the benefit of refugees in the Mali operation (covering all field offices) through the ERP CashAssist and the Financial Service Provider ECOBANK. • Set up a mechanism to coordinate and monitor the cash transfer for refugees in the AoR of the Mopti sub-office. • Evaluate the possibility of implementing other cash transfer modalities, especially the use of mobile transfers. • Coordinate the Post Distribution Monitoring.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o CBI is fully and effectively integrated into the emergency response plan and protection and solutions strategies. o Increase the use of CBI in e.g. protection, education, shelter, livelihoods, and health programs, with the support and collaboration of colleagues. o A sound monitoring process for cash assistance is established. o Trends and interventions, including CBI expenditure, and upstream and downstream activities are analyzed. o Post-distribution monitoring (PDM) is conducted regularly and in line with the relevant guidance. o Represent UNHCR in inter-agency coordination mechanisms and fora, promote and maintain collaborative cash arrangements and strong relations with partners and other key actors at the Sub office level. o Data and analysis for evidence-based, communication, and visibility are generated. o CBI-related learning and capacity building, including organizing training and learning events are in place. o Fulfill CBI-related reporting requirements. o Use of the UNHCR Cash Assist tool. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

program, project, or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level; experience with cash is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Use of ERP like CashAssist; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Work experience in the Sahel region or, in a refugee context with UNHCR. • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Mali is a country that is currently trying to recover from a conflict in its northern part. The whole territory is a non-family duty station. This position is based in Bamako, whose living and security conditions are satisfactory however due to the recent events in Bamako the security phase has been increased to SLS 4 (Substantial - as per UN security classification). The candidate will be entitled to R&R after every 8 weeks. To enter Mali, a valid passport is required. A visa is also compulsory, except for nationals of ECOWAS member states (Economic Community of West African States), Morocco and Cameroun. Nationals of other countries should contact the representation of Mali in their country of residence.for those who do not have a Malian representation in their country of residence, the visa can be issued at Bamako airport. In all cases, a Note Verbale will be issued with the aim of facilitating the visa issuance for the selected UN Volunteer. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory and a vaccination card should be brought with you for Malian health authorities’ check at the airport. The selected UN Volunteer must attend, from the beginning of the assignment, all security-related trainings, which are compulsory for all UN personnel. https://www.unv.org/

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org