Programme Manager (Humanitarian Cash Transfer), P-4, Fixed Term, Kabul, Afghanistan (Programme Management Unit)

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 134,636 USD and 173,585 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a future

The situation in Afghanistan remains exceptionally complex, with a protracted emergency situation, characterized by recurrent natural disasters, an increased number of people living in poverty, continued internal displacement, unprecedented levels of food insecurity, further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. This complexity has greatly impacted the situation of children and women in the country. The withdrawal of United States military forces from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the establishment of a de-facto government by the Taliban has exacerbated the complexity and uncertainty of the situation. UNICEF is required to rapidly adapt our ways of working to address the multiple operational constraints present in the highly volatile and unpredictable context. This includes the need to establish a Programme Management Unit that will provide operational and transactional capacity to the Afghanistan Country Office to ensure urgent lifesaving and resilience building programmes can continue.

The Afghanistan Programme Management Unit’s (APMU) Programme Manager (Humanitarian Cash Transfer) will report to the Deputy Team Leader. He/she will be based in Kabul and will provide technical assistance in the design and implementation of large cash transfer interventions.

How can you make a difference?

In anticipation of agreements with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other major donors to implement programme interventions in the context of Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) is looking for a Programme Manager (Humanitarian Cash Transfer). As part of the operational capacity support to ACO Programme sections, the Programme Manager (Humanitarian Cash Transfer) provides technical assistance in the design and implementation of large cash transfer interventions. The technical ability of the Programme Manager (Humanitarian Cash Transfer) will focus on documenting programmatic requirements and objectives to be served by the APMU, guiding coherent design of program interventions considering delivery requirements, alignment of cash intervention design with established APMU operating procedures and strategic focus, and translation of programmatic technical requirements into operational delivery needs to be serviced by APMU.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Team Leader, the Programme Manager (Humanitarian Cash Transfer), P4, will:

1. Programme Development and Management

• Develop, review and maintain work plans with time frames and deadlines for key activities; based on its changing and emerging needs; ensure standard operating procedures are developed.
• Support relevant colleagues, remotely and in person to manage UNICEF Implementing partners in the field;
• Conduct regular operational analysis of the programme, identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings and technical support.
• Ensure relevant analysis of complaints and feedback received through different sources and ensure implementing partners relevant follow up.
• Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
• Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance.

2. Monitoring

• Works closely with the relevant colleagues to implement a sound monitoring and evaluation system for the cash transfer programme; undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
• Provide guidance to the relevant colleagues on the integrated use of a diversified set of data collection tools and methodologies including leveraging existing implementing partner systems,
• Produce relevant knowledge management products on the cash transfer programme through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well generating and documenting lessons learned;
• Carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.
• Ensure the timely preparation of annual program status reports.

3. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Adopt rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks.
• Formulate consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects.
• Bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
• Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

4. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Develop partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.
• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.
• Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for effective overall coordination on programmes.
• Plans, develops and implements sectoral programme(s) by collaborating with the government and other partners. Provide leadership in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme and country level cooperation.

5. Optimum Use of Program Funds for cash transfer programme

• Establish and supervise programme work plans and monitor progress and compliance. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
• Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure programme efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure all applicable Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) risk management measures are implemented.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in international development, social sciences, public policy, public health, or relevant field.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience. Developing country work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO).
• Background/familiarity with Emergency and Humanitarian Cash Transfers.
• Experience in coordinating grievances redressal mechanisms in humanitarian cash transfers programme
• Previous research experience on poverty and/or development with expertise on qualitative or quantitative data analysis, is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner.
• Experience in government owned social assistance programmes is an asset
• Experience in emergency programme implementation.
• Demonstrated knowledge in use of cash in emergencies.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s programmes in emergency contexts preferred.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation.
• Excellent communication & presentation skills (written & verbal) across multiple audiences with the ability to influence others while working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Builds and maintains partnerships;
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness;
• Drives to achieve results for impact;
• Innovates and embraces change;
• Nurtures, leads and manages people;
• Works collaboratively with others;
• Thinks and acts strategically;
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and Supervising [II]
• Fomulating Strategies and Concepts [III]
• Analyzing [III]
• Relating and Networking [III]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [III]
• Communicating [III]

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Kindly note that this is a non-family duty station.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.