Programme Policy Officer - Cash Based Transfer Coordinator (P4), Bamako, Mali

Programme & Policy

Overview

Coordinate Cash-based Transfers programs to enhance impact on hunger alleviation.

You have:

• Advance university degree or Masters in International Affairs, Economics, Financial Technology, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international humanitarian and development assistance.
• At least 8 years of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience including operational and technical experience in CBT programme. Experience in a Country Office and in emergency context is also required.
• Experience in the design, set-up, implementation and monitoring of transfer modality systems (in-kind food and cash based transfers).
• Proven capacity to manage innovation in programme approaches.
• Awareness and strong interest on social protection issues especially the knowledge of policies and practices around long-term financial opportunities for poor and vulnerable people are highly valued.
• Capacity to design, set-up, run and coordinate large-scale cash operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams and implementing change management.
• Excellent understanding of Cash Based Transfer programming.
• Demonstrated experience in taking initiatives when implementing programmes.
• Proficiency (level C) of French and English in both oral and written communication will be essential.

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees. We encourage qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

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Are you a Programme Policy Professional interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, 23 May, 2023 (11:59 PM EDT).

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world's largest humanitarian organization, operates in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org/ and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer attractive compensation package (please refer to Terms and Conditions section)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Since 2020, the World Food Programme (WFP) in Mali is implementing a Country Strategic Plan 2020-2024 structured around six strategic outcomes and twelves activities. The Country Strategic Plan (CSP) aims at responding to emergency food and nutritional needs while strengthening vulnerable communities’ capacity to cope with shocks (security, climate change, high food prices). The CSP budget is established at 396 million and targeted 11 million persons over the project duration. The Cash Based Transfer (CBT) is the main modality of resources transfers to the beneficiaries e.g., approximatively 90 percent of the total transfers value budget.

Since 2012, Mali is facing ongoing armed conflict resulting in significative population displacement and continued deterioration of the security and nutritional situation. According to 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), about 8.8 million are in need humanitarian assistance, including respectively 2.3 million and 2.5 under the food security and nutrition clusters. The number of internal displaced persons (IDPs) stands at 412,000 (December 2022). To respond to the increasing needs, WFP is implementing different activities, including General Food Assistance (GFA), Livelihoods assistance, Nutrition, and Social Protection transfers. Different delivery mechanisms (direct cash, e-money or e-vouchers) supported by a digital plate-form (SCOPE) are being implemented in line with the results of the feasibility studies.

THE ROLE

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director – Programme, the incumbent will be coordinating the Cash-based Transfers programmes and interventions, in accordance with appropriate policies, guidelines, procedures and processes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of a CBT programme strategy in line with the organizational strategy, WFP-wide programme policies and context at Country Office level; translate the CBT strategy and WFP-wide programme policies into country level practices;
• Support the different WFP teams responsible for achieving the Strategic Objectives of the WFP country strategic plan to design integrated cash-based transfer programmes and identify areas of overlap with other stakeholders in terms of geography and programme purpose, programme design and delivery, joint objectives and exit strategies.
• Be innovative and visionary at the programme design phase to reach the highest effectiveness of a given response. Proactively juggle with transfer modalities to reach the most appropriate choice for a defined context; consider opportunities for multipurpose cash, integration of market interventions into existing programmes to make emergency responses more responsive to local markets and more beneficial to general coping capacities or, consider financial inclusion to empower both beneficiaries and communities beyond the end of the project life, or consider linking the delivery system with reliable existing systems from financial service providers, private sector or governments to boost the sustainability of the project, etc.
• Lead on the Country Office cash-based transfer emergency programmes, be flexible and adjust operational planning if changes in context require it, working closely with other functions and teams
• Coordinate the CO’s efforts throughout the CBT programme cycle, on cash-based transfer programme design, delivery, and quality assurance. This includes a wide range of programme and policy issues such as assessment and analysis, intervention design and purpose, activities, cash disbursement mechanisms, and transition of modalities, monitoring, as well as amendments to programme implementation as and when required.
• Guide and coordinate Country Office units (e.g. Supply Chain, Technology - TEC, Finance, Research, Assessment and Monitoring – RAM to ensure synchronized technical backstopping and compliance with corporate policy, strategic objectives, guidance, and incorporation of gender perspectives in programme design, intervention set-up and implementation of CBT operations;
• In collaboration with other units develop, update and ensure Standard Operational procedures (SOP) aligned with corporate manuals and guidelines.
• Identify and select cooperating partners and, in collaboration with Finance, Supply Chain or TEC, financial service providers able to deal efficiently and effectively with the delivery part of the cash-based transfers programmes. Negotiate in details Field Level Agreements and/or Service Providers contracts according to established rules and regulations.
• Support the oversight and audit missions, and ensure that the recommendations from the mission/s are duly implemented in the country office, and related documents and processes are regularly updated and aligned with the corporate policies with support from Regional Bureau and Headquarters (HQ) cross-functional teams.
• Enhance and ensure WFP’s leadership status in different fora such as external Cash Working Group, Social Protection Working Group, and other related fora on cash-based transfers

• Develop operational partnerships and maintain close contact with key partners. Advise on opportunities for strategic collaboration; for example, assist counterparts in governments and/or other stakeholders in identifying where CBT interventions can be usefully employed and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of CBT programmes, including as part of social protection programmes;

• Manage or oversee the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information and evidence products or proposals for internal or external use such as evidence building, advocacy purposes, and fund generation.

• Build the capacities of a CBT team in design, delivery and assurance at national and sub-office level.
• Support the capacity building of partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs with cash based transfer modalities,
• Advocate for resources and ensure the best use of assigned financial funds to CBT for the achievement of set objectives within a dedicated budget

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education: You have

• Advance university degree or Masters in International Affairs, Economics, Financial Technology, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international humanitarian and development assistance.

Experience: You have

• At least 8 years of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience including operational and technical experience in CBT programme. Experience in a Country Office and in emergency context is also required.
• Experience in the design, set-up, implementation and monitoring of transfer modality systems (in-kind food and cash based transfers);
• Proven capacity to manage innovation in programme approaches.
• Awareness and strong interest on social protection issues especially the knowledge of policies and practices around long-term financial opportunities for poor and vulnerable people are highly valued

Skills & Knowledge: You have

• Capacity to design, set-up, run and coordinate large-scale cash operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams and implementing change management.
• Understanding of the theory and application of food security, nutrition and safety net programmes.
• Understanding of Project Cycle Management and its application;
• Excellent understanding of Cash Based Transfer programming
• Demonstrated experience in taking initiatives when implementing programmes;
• Experience in complex emergencies and protracted crisis situations is an advantage;
• Good background knowledge in financing processes and experience in analytical work are desirable assets.

Language: You have Proficiency (level C) of French and English in both oral and written communication will be essential.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

• Leads by Example with Integrity - Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others
• Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments - Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change
• Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork - Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth
• Applies Strategic Thinking - Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things
• Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships - Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is an International Professional position and candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org)_including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days' annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

Mobility is and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed term as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org