Background:
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 member National Societies.The Organisation acts before, during and after disasters and health emergences in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade.
Organizational Context:
The member National Societies of the IFRC have a long history of using cash transfer programming (CTP) in disaster response. The tsunami response was a turning point for the RCM/RC Movement in the use of cash transfers in disaster relief and recovery programming with learning supporting increasing acceptance of this mechanism in major emergencies as seen in the response to the Pakistan earthquake 2006, Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh 2007, Haiti earthquake (2010), Pakistan floods (2010), Sahel crisis (2011); Philippines typhoons 2012, etc.
A review of IFRC Emergency Appeals launched between 2011 and January 2013, found that over 51% of them included CTP; 71% of all appeals in Asia Pacific and Americas zone included CTP and 39% of the total in Africa. Since 2009, IFRC implemented 89 CTP interventions during in 39 countries. The CTP interventions are defined by their outcomes, often linked to specific sectors and each emergency appeal can include more than one CTP interventions linked to basic relief, shelter, food security, livelihoods, etc.
Since 2008 the IFRC and the Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP) have been working together, developing training tools, delivering inter-agency training in cash transfer programming (CTP), intentionally bringing the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, UN and NGO organizations together to share experience and good practices. Through this partnership, and with support of key donors, the IFRC has developed CTP training packages, systems and tools to support the institutionalization and mainstreaming of CTP in its humanitarian operations; has invested into a targeted number of preparedness for cash pilots; and is working closely with the global and regional response tools to ensure CTP capacity is build worldwide.Efforts are made to mainstream CTP into the global and regional disaster response tools as well as to document and disseminate CTP experiences, learning that exist within the Movement.
This position will contribute to the achievement of the IFRC cash transfer programming vision: the National Societies have the knowledge; skills and experience as well as the institutional capability to be able to deliver humanitarian assistance through a range of flexible delivery mechanisms that improve beneficiary choice and promote dignity.
Purpose of position:
The position will focus on supporting IFRC at the zone, region and country level as well as National Societies to institutionalize IFRC CTP approaches, tools and systems; while strengthening knowledge and capacity to scale up CTP multi-sector responses and build capacity of NS on CTP, market analysis and disaster preparedness. As a member of the Disaster and Crisis Management team, the Cash in Emergencies Officer will work closely with other team members and departments to ensure IFRC and NS deliver timely and quality humanitarian responses to disaster affected populations.
Description of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and lead the roll out of IFRC wide global cash based programming standards, tools, procedures and advocacy activities contributing to CTP institutionalization and preparedness enabling NS and IFRC to scale up humanitarian CTP responses.
- Lead the development of cash in emergencies toolbox that includes revision and improvement of the existing IFRC global cash based programming and market tools, procedures and guidance based on consultation and feedback from the field.
- Provide CTP technical support to existing and start-up operations as requested by the country / region / zone direct by guiding/advising the National Society teams or the IFRC Global response tools (HEOps, FACT, FERST, ERU, etc.) in collaboration with the Senior Officer Recovery. Promoting that CTP is routinely considered into multi-sector needs assessments, market assessments and other analytical issues that provide recommendations and inform the Plan of Action. Technical support should be provided to IFRC and NS in the design, budgeting, implementation, communications and monitoring and evaluation of the IFRCs' emergency relief and recovery responses that include cash based responses to relief or sectoral outcomes.
- Support operation reviews and evaluations with a particular focus on CTP, identifying the operational and programmatic challenges, good CTP relief and recovery practices and recommendations.
- Support capacity building for National Societies in programming to include cash based programming as agreed with NS/region/zones. The individual is expected to deliver and support capacity building processes such as face to face trainings, learning by doing exercises and remote and face to face coaching, in a range of key programming areas including assessment, market assessment, DRR and preparedness, recovery, global tools, cash systems and procedures etc.
- Contribute to documenting CTP experiences and innovative approaches that exist within the Movement and to the creation of CTP knowledge and learning and case studies of key programmatic and thematic CTP issues. Contribute to a CTP repository and feedback folder held in Geneva. Share and disseminate CTP news, documentation and training opportunities that exist within and outside the Movement.
- In cooperation with the plan and budget manager, implement any grants for activities and provide grant management functions as necessary to fulfil IFRC implementation and reporting responsibilities to donors. Actively support and advice on CTP fundraising opportunities that might exist in the zones, regions and at country level.
- Follow up on the outputs and learning from the partnership with CaLP and ECHO to progress institutionalisation.
- Work with the Senior Officer Recovery on developing cash strategies and implementing any cash programmes as well as facilitating coordination within the RC/RC Movement on cash in emergencies.
- Provide follow up technical support to specific National Societies looking at developing their preparedness for cash work and document and share experience for the wider IFRC.
- Participate in internal and external CTP meetings and contribute to technical, coordination and advocacy initiatives within the RC/RC Movement or with other partners, the wider humanitarian community, donors and public sector.
- In cooperation with the IFRC global DCM team, work to ensure maximum results are achieved and project impact is sustainably institutionalised and leads to scalable CTP programming where appropriate.
Duties applicable to all staff: · Actively work towards the achievement of the Secretariat's goals. · Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Red Crescent principles. · Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
Position Requirements:
Education: University degree in Disaster Management / Disaster response or equivalent experience and knowledge.
Experience: - At least two years experience of successfully implementing and coordinating humanitarian emergency response operations that include CTP in at least one context and preferably within the RC/RC Movement. - At least three years experience in disaster management or response in humanitarian operations. - Demonstrated experience in assessment which includes needs, market and CTP feasibility considerations. - Proven capacity building experience with NS or equivalent, delivering trainings and providing on the job training and coaching. - Experience living and working in challenging and multicultural environments. - Experience of successful institutional fundraising and managing donor relations and adequate narrative and financial reporting would be preferred. - Experience working in insecure environments will be an asset.
Knowledge and Skills: - Knowledge and experience of RC/RC National Societies both as HNS and PNS. - Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills. - Technical training in design, implementation and monitoring cash transfer programming. - Proven skills in strategic and operational planning, budgeting and reporting emergency response that included CTP. - Proven analytical skills and the ability to think strategically while under pressure. - Sound knowledge of and commitment to, a holistic approach to disaster management, with a particular understanding of recovery, shelter and proven experience in cash-based programming would be preferred. - Acquaintance with Federation DM tools (FACT, RDRT, ERU, VCA and others) would be preferred. - Technical training in disaster preparedness, response and recovery would be preferred.
Languages: - Fluently spoken and written English - Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
How to apply:
Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on the link below:
