This position is created to directly support AAH Ethiopia mission in cash based interventions. The Cash & Voucher Specialist is responsible for providing advice and technical support, on AAH cash based interventions in different implementation bases. As such s/he advises on, coordinates and manages the programming, identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of cash based interventions, advise cash & voucher project specific staff as applicable, and supports the project managers and experts in planning the cash transfers and help in the production of internal and external narrative and financial reports. The Cash & Voucher Specialist ensures that cash based activities promote choice and dignity of beneficiaries while impacting positively local market economies to protect livelihoods. The employee shall fully comply with safety and security procedure of AAH and should be accountable for it.

This post works closely with the technical advisors at capital level and Program Managers at field level. Duty station: Addis Ababa with 50% of time spent in the field.

Mission 1: Ensuring that AAH Cash & Voucher interventions are of high quality and are a relevant response:

The cash and Voucher specialist is responsible for:

• In collaboration with the Cash Working Group, UN clusters, local authorities and community representatives, undertake detailed needs analysis and design appropriate responses to meet needs and strengthen local capacities.

• Actively engage with other humanitarian actors currently implementing Cash Transfer Programming to ensure coordination and harmonization of approaches where appropriate.

• Actively seek to use inventive approaches and new technology in the field of cash and voucher programming, both for cash distribution and voucher systems, beneficiary selection, service provider selection and data collection

• Provide technical advice on the implementation of cash project activities to achieve project goals and objectives including designing and implementing relevant indicators, monitoring and evaluation systems and frameworks (including market analysis and price monitoring, expenditure tracking and impact assessment methodologies) in addition to supporting mid-term reviews in accordance with AAH and donor requirements.

• Conduct regular visits to cash implementation areas and advice and support field staff with the identification and solution of technical issues.

• Assist with the design and writing of project proposals for donors (including budgets),

• Evaluate impact on beneficiaries and conflict-affected communities

• Ensure adequate beneficiary data protection is in place.

• Ensure adequate complaint and feedback mechanisms are in place.

Mission 2: Ensuring that effective coordination is maintained between AAH country office and the base offices as regards cash transfers programs

The cash and Voucher specialist is responsible for:

• Ensure proper coordination among the stakeholders, consortium partners in disbursing the funds to the selected beneficiaries.

• Ensure continuous cash flow for smooth uninterrupted project activities.

• Ensure a continuous and accurate flow of information between the country office and base offices

• Liaise with Logistics, Finance and other departments as appropriate to identify and plan the support needed for cash and/or voucher implementation, advising on procurement needs as appropriate.

• Assist the team in carrying out market assessments in the implementation areas.

• Establish systems to maintain proper project documentation and records, including needs assessment questionnaires/data, certificates of vouchers and cash receipts, consolidated list of beneficiaries, photos etc.

Mission 3: Providing Technical support regarding cash and voucher program activities to AAH bases

The cash and voucher specialist is responsible for:

• Develop and disseminate technical guidelines and case studies.

• Overall coordination of operational staff dedicated to emergency cash & voucher assistance.

• Provide direction to the project team, ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, encouraging effective teamwork.

• Provide supervision, guidance and monitoring for project staff, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities.

• Develop, disseminate and provide training in sectoral standards related to cash transfers, systems, procedures, tools and agreed upon sector best practice approaches

• Follow project implementation and ensure effective and timely completion of the planned activities/interventions

• Review weekly reports compiling information from the field on cash based intervention

• Conduct regular visits to project areas to verify timeliness, transparency and authenticity of assistance delivered

• Support in facilitating agency and donor monitoring visits

• Perform any other duties as required by the Technical Advisor or his/her designee.

Internal & External relations

Internal

·         Food Security, Livelihood and Disaster Risk Reduction Technical Advisor : direct line manager – technical support – exchange of information

·         Project-level staff (PM and other technical staff): technical supervision / functional link, capacity-building, support and advisory role (direct line management is by Field Coordinator under current structure)

·         Country Management Team (CMT = Technical advisors, Field Coordinators, DCD, CD) and Grant and Reporting Officer: collaborative relationship – technical support – exchange of information

·         HR Coordinator : exchange of information and collaboration on recruitment and training plans

·         Finance Coordinator: exchange of information

·         Technical Advisor at HQ level : Technical support, exchange of information, and harmonization of systems and procedures

External

·         Local governmental partners : exchange of information, coordination, training, supervision, influence on choice of technical options

·         Local relevant sectoral authorities : exchange of information, coordination, influence on choice of technical options

·         Cash working group

·         Counterparts of NGOs, INGOs and Consortia: exchange of information and coordination

·         Donor contact persons

·         Relevant UN agencies, cluster and other coordination forums

Qualification and past experience: Masters´ degree in relevant field of study (Economics, Management, Financial management, development studies)

Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in the field of cash and voucher-based programming and program management

At least two years with a comparable social organization in a similar position, preferably in Emergency response. Knowledge of, and experience with fulfilling key donor requirements

Required skills:

·         The position needs significant skills and experience in project cycle management (management, finance/budget, logistics, M&E, donor reporting, representation and activity implementation)

·         Have been trained in level 1 and 2 CaLP training

·         Computer literate in Word, Excel and Outlook and Microsoft office package

·         Excellent English writing skills – including having control on MS Office and other presentation and analytical software tools (accountability – donor reporting)

·         Good understanding of the humanitarian sector (SPHERE standard, guiding principles, donor compliance, etc.)

·         Strong communication (written and oral) and inter-personal skills (ability to work as part of a team in a multi-cultural team and with different stakeholders

Other required skills: good coordination skills, leadership, strong analytical skills, strong logical and lateral thinking for strategic programming..