Social Policy Expert

Provide technical support for cash transfer programme management and implementation.

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Thursday 29 May 2025 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Provide technical support for cash transfer programme management and implementation.

You have:

  • At least 3 years of experience in social protection delivery, particularly cash transfer programmes.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.
  • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
  • Understanding of management information systems used in cash transfer programmes.

Contract

This is a UNV National Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Expert contracts.

Under the general guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for providing technical support in the management, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of cash transfer activities. The UNV Social Policy Expert will be responsible for the implementation of Cash Plus Pilots Projects as part of the EU-funded United Nations Joint programme. The Pilot projects

  1. Lead, in coordination with the relevant sections, the coordination and implementation of cash plus transfer activities in three governorates: • Ensure the implementation, and coordination of the cash transfer programme: Lead, in coordination with the section and operations, the implementation of cash transfer programmes, including registration, payment and complaints/grievance system in order to improve sectoral objectives; Monitor and track payments to beneficiaries, in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP); Oversee project expenditure; Draft TOR, concept notes as relevant to pilot implementation; Conduct regular monitoring/programmatic visits to pilot implementation areas and support field staff to resolve technical issues. • Conduct regular operational analysis: identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings, and technical support; Develop risk-informed approach for the implementation of cash transfer activities, undertake a risk assessment and identify risk mitigation; In close collaboration with the office operation team support the financial reporting and liquidation process; establish and maintain sound internal controls and coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability. • Supervise and support monitoring and evaluation activities: Work closely with the lessons learned consultant for cash transfer programme and implement recommendations to improve the efficiency and quality of programmes; undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decide on required corrective action; organize review meetings with partners and counterparts; ensure the timely preparation of status reports; oversee use of a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure quality monitoring of all UNICEF cash transfers in collaboration with implementing partners; Gather the lessons and provide inputs to the development of scale up of the Cash Plus Benefit or other future cash transfer programme proposals.

  2. Ensure Partnership, Communication and Liaison, and Collaboration for cash transfer programmes • Maintain partnerships and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to ensure the efficiency of the programme (explore and identify joint activities to be implemented and/or coordinated with UNHCR and WFP) in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies; Identify links to other sections in UNICEF and strengthen coordination within the office on this issue; Convene relevant working groups (internal task force, cash assistance committee) to monitor and track implementation of the “Child Plus Benefit’; Contribute to the discussions around a strategy that strengthens longer-term social protection scheme with the government; Prepare relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc. and minutes of key meetings.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

social protection delivery, particularly cash transfer programmes, or other relevant programmes; experience with the social work profession and/or social behavior change is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Understanding of the management information systems (MIS) used in cash transfer or other government service delivery programmes in Iraq is also an asset. • 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; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers receive a volunteer living allowance to sustain a basic, adequate and safe lifestyle. This allowance varies from one location to another depending on local living costs, but all national UN Volunteers in the same location receive the same allowance. Below is a summary of the Conditions of Service. Allowances The purpose of allowances for national UN Volunteers is to enable the national UN Volunteers to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): All national UN Volunteers are entitled to a monthly volunteer living allowance of USD 1,989.54 The purpose of this allowance is to cover the basic living costs of the national UN Volunteer, and her or his family when applicable. The allowance is to ensure that the volunteer can sustain a basic, adequate and safe lifestyle. The monthly allowance rate is a fixed rate for the duty station as established by UNV headquarters. Resettlement allowance: Eligible national UN Volunteers are entitled to receive a resettlement allowance upon satisfactory completion of the assignment. The allowance assists the volunteer to reintegrate into society both professionally and personally upon completion of their UN Volunteer service.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience with cash transfer programme management? This question aims to understand the candidate's practical experience relevant to the position. Focus on specific projects you managed, outlining your role and contributions.
How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration among different stakeholders? The interviewer aims to gauge the candidate's interpersonal skills and teamwork approach. Pro members can see the explanation.
What methods do you use to conduct operational analysis and identify bottlenecks? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenging situation you faced while implementing a social protection programme and how you handled it. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach risk management in programme implementation? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What experience do you have working with local communities and their needs? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you implemented feedback or lessons learned from previous projects? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you employ to maintain accountability in programme management? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org