Cash-Based Intervention Specialist (P3)

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting the Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power.

The ABADEI Strategy is a tailored area-based integrated programming approach to support basic human needs, complementing short-term humanitarian life-saving assistance with the safeguarding of livelihoods and the strengthening of community resilience. It is centered around addressing worsening poverty and vulnerability, supporting community resilience and social cohesion, addressing climatic vulnerability, and enabling the rehabilitation of small-scale infrastructure vital for basic human needs. It supports the creation of immediate sources of income through vocational skills training, cash-for-work, cash for the market, small businesses, and livelihood opportunities with a particular focus on agri-business and regenerative agriculture infrastructure and services (critical for food security) that are under threat. It is sensitive to the chronic and newly emerging vulnerabilities of Afghan women and girls and aims at providing them assistance in a manner that does not exacerbate their susceptibility to violence and deprivation of opportunities and rights.

The Cash-Based Intervention (CBI) Specialist will work across UNDP’s ABADEI program and be responsible for providing technical support to cash-based activities. S/he works under the guidance and supervision of the Program Manager ABADEI and in close collaboration with team members. The Cash-Based Intervention Specialist will also work closely with partners, UN Agencies, technical advisors and experts and civil society to help implement Cash-Based Intervention activities. S/he will be based in Kabul with regular field visits.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Cash-Based Intervention Specialist will be responsible for the following:

Ensuring effective design and implementation of Cash-Based Interventions in the ABADEI program.
Development of strategic partnerships and ensure coordination with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders including UN agencies.
Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office.

1) Ensuring effective design and implementation of Cash-Based Interventions in ABADEI program, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Develop and provide technical support in Cash-Based Interventions in line with the ABADEI program strategy including necessary preparation of design, technical support, stakeholder consultation, preparation of terms of reference, concept notes, action plan to operationalize activities.
Develop suitable Cash-Based Intervention options for vulnerable communities.
Design capacity development materials on Cash-Based Interventions; provide technical support in conducting capacity building initiatives, prepare guidelines, and tools.
Generate new ideas and approaches, consolidate best practices, and propose effective ways of doing things.
Monitor program implementation of partners (contractors, consultants, grantees) in accordance with agreements, work plans, deliverables, and timelines.
Prepare monitoring and reporting templates and provide technical advice to implementing partners to ensure progress and quality.
Ensure timely and quality progress and financial reporting by partners in line with agreed templates and schedules; review reports; provide feedback to UNDP and partners.
Oversee implementation of Cash-Based Intervention related components to ensure delivery of all the targets with desired outputs.
Organize and facilitate training, information-sharing, and knowledge-sharing events on the initiative as a thematic expert on Cash-Based Intervention.
Establish and maintain a network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up to date on partnership related issues.
Analyse and select materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.
Assess and evaluation of funding proposals from potential partner organizations maintaining quality and consistency.
Support UNDP’s positioning as an effective partner in Cash-Based Intervention.
Develop specific Cash-Based Intervention activities for women and ensure integration of gender issues and concerns in Cash-Based Intervention programming.
Keep track of financial and expenditure records related to Cash-Based Intervention activities if required.
Identify operational and programmatic challenges in relation to Cash-Based Intervention and propose solutions.

2) Development of strategic partnerships and ensure coordination with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders including UN agencies, focusing on the achievement of the following:

Analyze information related to Cash-Based Intervention and provide inputs for the preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for initiating new projects.
Ensure capacity building of local partners, organize relevant orientations and trainings for local partners.
Support resource mobilization for UNDP’s Cash-Based Intervention under ABADEI program.
Identify potential organizations to engage within the targeted areas and contribute to build a network.
Act as the UNDP/ABADEI Cash-Based Intervention focal person to develop a coordination mechanism that allows to share information and to harmonize the work carried out by different partners.
Support working relationships and create programmatic linkages with relevant UN Agencies and counterparts as guided by the supervisor.

3) Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office:

Document best practices and lessons learned.
Contributes to knowledge networks where applicable.
Proactively share information in the UNDP country office.
Identify and document best practices and lessons learned from Cash-Based Interventions.
Assis in producing publicity materials on Cash-Based Intervention work including success and lessons learned.

Perform other duties within the functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross Functional and Technical Competencies

2030 Agenda: Prosperity

RECOVERY SOLUTIONS AND HUMAN MOBILITY: Cash-Based Transfers.

Business Direction & Strategy

BUSINESS ACUMEN: Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such framework.

Business Management

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.

RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Required Skills and Experience

UNDP STRONGLY ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED WOMEN TO APPLY FOR AVAILABLE POSITIONS FOR WHICH THEY MEET THE STATED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Application Requirement

All Applicants MUST complete and attach the UNDP Personal History-P-11 Form (found here) to their applications in the vacancy site.

Submission of personal resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) will not be acceptable and candidates who fail to attach the above required P-11 form will not be considered.

Min. Education requirement:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, social sciences, or related field.

Relevant Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of progressively advancing experience and responsibility in managing Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) in international development organizations and/or bilateral development agencies.

Required Skills:

Demonstrated experience in designing and monitoring Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) indicators and achievements and reporting on CBI results is required.
Proven ability to work in multi-cultural teams. Demonstrated programme/project management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation).
Previous experience in working with community-based NGOs is required.
Solid knowledge of result-based management and project implementation.
Experience working in conflict or transition context.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web-based management systems.
Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.
Good analytical skills and writing skills.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English is required – both written and oral is required.

Fluency in local language of duty station Dari and/or Pashto is desirable but not essential.