Programme Policy Officer (Cash Based Transfer) - NOC - Kabul

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. More than half the population of Afghanistan – a record 22.8 million people – will face acute food insecurity in 2022. The combined effects of drought, conflict, COVID-19, and the economic crisis, have severely affected lives, livelihoods, and people’s access to food.

The team of 600 staff, 550 of which are Afghan nationals are working tireless to bring emergency food and nutrition assistance to the millions of people suffering across the country. The assistance provided by WFP includes emergency food assistance, school meals, nutrition programmes and important self-reliance and resilience programmes. The packet of support can include food, cash, or vouchers.

In conflict situations, we bring relief to exhausted populations and use food assistance to build pathways to peace and stability – work for which WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian Agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP has been working in Afghanistan since 1963. WFP food assistance aims to help the most vulnerable, food insecure Afghans, including women and children, as well as families affected by conflict and natural disasters. Through its Country Strategic Plan (2018-2022), WFP Afghanistan is well placed to provide comprehensive support to the country aimed at achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 via a range of interventions including emergency response, livelihoods creation, as well as nutrition programmes based on a life-cycle approach, and the strengthening of national food systems. Such national-led priorities of WFP’s Country Strategic Plan for Afghanistan are aimed at contributing to the country’s long-term transition to development and aspiration for peace. For more information, see www.wfp.org .

Afghanistan is facing a multi-pronged humanitarian crisis. A complex and protracted conflict, followed by an economic downturn after the withdrawal of US military, have left over 18 million people at risk of hunger. Challenges related to climate change, demographics, gender inequalities, continue to impeded efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 on Zero Hunger. WFP has launched a large scale-up of emergency activities to meet the urgent food security and nutrition needs in Afghanistan. These needs are likely to continue to deepen in both severity and scale over the coming months, unless drastic measures are taken.

JOB PURPOSE

WFP provides assistance to vulnerable food insecure households through various modalities, including food in-kind and cash-based transfers (CBT). Under the general guidance of the head of programme and in-line with WFP Afghanistan Country Office Strategy, the Programme Policy Officer – CBT, will be responsible for providing technical and programmatic support to the planning, implementation, supervision and monitoring of the Cash-Based Transfer programmes implemented by the Financial Service Providers (FSPs) and Cooperating Partners (CPs) in targeted areas through WFP Field Offices.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision of the head of programme and guidance from the CBT lead and within his/her delegated authority, the Programme Policy Officer (CBT) will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Oversee the FSP tenders and emergency contracting for CBT activities, including but not limited to: a) Develop Scope of work for new tenders, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and conduct Due Diligence for new FSPs b) Review FSPs technical and financial proposals as well as provide inputs to the new contracts. 2. Oversee FSP contract implementation, including but not limited to expiration dates, financial limits, and performance bonds. 3. As per the WFP CBT business process, follow the sectorial assessments with functional units and make sure all sectorial assessments are done and up to date. 4. Support the implementation of the CBT assurance framework. 5. Develop and provide technical guidance to facilitate implementation and monitoring of CBT programmes /activities and provide training to WFP Field Offices and partner staff. 6. Primary liaison focal point with WFP Field Offices regarding design and implementation of CBT supported projects. 7. Coordinate with various WFP units and proactively explore new partnership opportunities with financial service providers 8. Develop and sustain liaison with relevant government authorities, UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) engaged in the field of CBT activities. 9. Ensure compliance with WFP’s policies, criteria and procedures with respect to CBT programmes, 10. Assist Head of Programme and Head of CBT Programme in all matters related to the delivery of WFP assistance and bring to the attention of appropriate regional/country office staff any administrative constraints arising from rapidly evolving emergency situations in the field. 11. Provide inputs to the Country Office risk matrix related to CBT and follow up on mitigation measures. 12. Deal with advocacy issues with national authorities, including but not limited to Da Afghanistan Bank and Afghan Telecon Regulatory Authority (ATRA). 13. Act in the role of the CBT-Working Group (WG) secretariat. 14. Oversee CBT implementation and provide inputs to the weekly Programme Performance Management (PPM), for each WFP Field Office. 15. Attend external Cash and Voucher (CVWG) meeting on monthly basis. 16. Provide weekly CBT inputs for Senior Staff Meeting. 17. Update the regular two pager for CBT operations. 18. Act as focal point for UNCSS, arrange meetings between UNICEF, UNHCR, UNOCHA on route basis. 19. Stand in as Officer in Charge (OIC) for CBT unit when the head of unit is absent. 20. Manage CBT staff assigned to his supervision, including but not limited to c) Definition and oversee of roles and responsibilities d) Training and Performance management e) Planning for career development 21. Any other task that is assigned by supervisor or management

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: • At least a master’s degree in Agriculture Economics, Statistics, Social Sciences, International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Business Administration, or another discipline relevant to international development/humanitarian assistance.

Experience: • At least eight years of relevant experience and exposure to CBT management systems and implementation.

Language:

• Good oral and written language skills in English, Dari and Pashto.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Cash Based Transfers)

Grade: NOC

Contract: Fixed-Term (FT) - One-year renewable

Duty Station/travel: Kabul, Afghanistan with travel inside Afghanistan

Salary: Competitive remuneration package

Medical Plan: International valid medical plan valid also for staff, spouse and dependents children under 18 years

Annual leave: 30 working days per annum

WFP Work Environment

WFP is committed to ensuring that all its workplaces are free from abuse, offensive behaviour, harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. WFP is also committed to promoting a work culture in which every employee understands, and is able to carry out, his/her personal responsibilities for maintaining the dignity of work colleagues. WFP seeks to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. We believe our mission of fighting global hunger worldwide can only be achieved if women, men, girls and boys are offered equal opportunities in terms of access to resources and services and participation in decision making roles.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Wednesday, 27 April 2022