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Organizational Context:

The situation in Afghanistan remains exceptionally complex, with a protracted emergencysituation, characterized by recurrent natural disasters, an increased number of people living inpoverty, continued internal displacement, unprecedented levels of food insecurity, which has beenfurther compounded since the COVID-19 pandemic. This complexity has impacted the situation ofchildren and women in the country. The withdrawal of United States military forces fromAfghanistan in August 2021 and the establishment of a de-facto government by the Taliban hasexacerbated the complexity and uncertainty of the situation. UNICEF is required to rapidly adaptthe ways of working to address the multiple operational constraints present in the highly volatileand unpredictable context. This included the need to establish a Project Management Unit (PMU)to provide operational and transactional capacity to the Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) toensure urgent lifesaving and resilience building programmes can continue.
Under the strategic direction of the Chief-PMU, overall oversight of the Programme Specialist(Cash Based Programming), and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Cash - NOB),the Programme Officer will be based in Kabul and undertake the below mentioned tasks assupport functions that contribute to the overall project management cycle for humanitarian cashtransfer and cash incentives payment projects. Work will be undertaken in coordination with therespective Programme Sections, Operations Teams and other Teams in the PMU. Incumbent will play a key role in supporting the implementation of risk informed projectmanagement approaches that are developed, given Afghanistan’s complex programming contextand high-risk operating environment.

Purpose of the Job:

The ACO having a mixed portfolio of humanitarian cash transfer (HCT) activities, and cashtransfers to facilitate service delivery in priority sectors, the Programme Officer (Cash BasedProgramming) is responsible to support the PMU with operationalizing an agile and risk managedproject implementation strategy for cash transfer activities; supporting the project implementationcycle ensuring application of the respective operational and compliance policies and procedures.As part of the overall management approach, the Programme Officer is required to maintain aclose partnership and dialogue with the relevant ACO Programme Sections and OperationsTeams. The Programme Officer is also required to support undertaking priority research/dataanalysis that helps enhance project management systems and contribute through technical andoperational guidance to team members to ensure timely, risk-informed, and coordinatedimplementation of cash-based activities, and work collaboratively with all stakeholders.

Key functions, accountabilitiesand related duties/tasks:
Summary of Key Functions/Accountabilities:

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes
- Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through providingprofessional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well asparticipation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of “lessons learned" and othercorporate-level databases.
- Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training andorientation material by providing professional technical assistance.
- Contribute to the preparation of programme reports required for the PMU and ACOmanagement.
- Contribute to continuous learning and adaptive programming by documenting implementationlessons and contributing to regular reflection sessions to improve the effectiveness of riskinformed cash-based interventions.
2. Programme Development and Management
- Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis forprogramme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoringimplementation progress. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points andmeasures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyze country levelsocio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.
- Contribute to draft or prepare programme work plans as required.
- Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose program recommendations for inclusion informal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices for supervisor.
- Ensure accurate inputs are reflected in Service Level Agreements (SLA) formulated with eachtasking Programme Section, and that Projects are managed meeting the deliverables defined inthe SLA.
- Support the preparation of, and timely submission of progress and financial reports to thetasking Programme Sections.
- Ensure robust risk analysis are completed for Projects, reflected in the risk matrix and mitigationmeasures effectively implemented.
- Support undertaking research on the financial services sector, and available viable innovativepayment methods that can be applied to enhance programme/project implementation.
3. Optimum Use of Program Funds
- Monitor programme implementation progress and compliance.
- Monitor the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds areproperly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
- Take appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.
- Support the timely preparation of financial reports in collaboration with the PMU OperationsTeam, for the Programme Sections.
4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations
- Undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decide on requiredcorrective action.
- Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation andparticipate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative,the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer, and others to improve efficiency and quality ofprogramme delivery.
- Participate in annual sector review meetings with key stakeholders.
- Collaborate and support preparing annual program status reports in a timely manner, asrequired.
- Support implementation of effective contract management systems for management of serviceproviders such as Financial Service Providers.
- Support in analyzing lessons learned related to the use of non-traditional payment methods andmake recommendations for scale up and/or system enhancements/changes.
- Support the regular monitoring and updating of risks analysis, including timely risk escalation forcash transfer programmes.
- Support the review of key performance indicators (KPIs) for cash transfer programming and contribute to the regular adjustment of monitoring tools, including post-distribution monitoringinstruments, to ensure they remain relevant, context-specific, and aligned with evolvingprogramme needs.
5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach
- Support rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals andobjectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks.
- Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality of child rights-basedprogrammes consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/orevaluation of programmes and projects.
- Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and designprocesses using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
- Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on projectimplementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contributeeffectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations onprogramme, new initiatives, and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.
6. Partner Capacity Building/Sustainability
- Provide project implementing partners and service providers (i.e. financial service providers) withtechnical assistance and support in planning and organizing training programmes for the purposeof capacity building and programme sustainability.
- Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutionalcapacities of the implementing partners by identifying these partners and partnerships andproviding continuous support, coordination and collaboration for sustainability.
7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels
- Analyze programme related issues and policies from a children's and women's rights perspectiveand advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policydebates.
- Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.
8. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration
- Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including thoseof the UN and national partners, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate developmentdata and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementationand movement/distribution of supplies. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional ProgrammeKnowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.
- Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controlssupportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply managementrequirements and accountability.
- Approve allocation and disbursement of funds ensuring they are properly coordinated,monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments (PBA).
- Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for overall coordination.
- Provide professional support in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy andpromotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions tobe supported by UNICEF programme.

Impact of Results:

1. Cash transfer activities are implemented in a risk-informed, timely and efficient manner, with therequired technical oversight and operational support for the Implementing Partners and ServiceProviders.
2. Contributes to strengthening UNICEF’s expertise and knowledge generation of high value andcomplex project implementation.
3. UNICEF resources are utilized for the intended purpose to achieve results for the children ofAfghanistan.

Education requirement: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: SocialSciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy,Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.
Experience required: Minimum one year of relevant professional work experience is required.
Experience in programme/project management, with a primary focus on managing large-scalecash transfer projects or programmes is required.
Experience in emergency contexts is required.
Experience in project financial management, including through use of managementsystems/enterprise resource planning systems for project management (for example UNICEF’s ERP-VISION/FIORI/SAP) is required.
Experience with cash transfer projects or cash-based programming is required, with experience inestablishing non-traditional or innovative payment systems for beneficiaries being an asset.
Experience in managing implementing partnerships and/or service providers for projectimplementation is an asset.
Experience with NGOs and/or the UN is an asset.
Experience with contract management is an asset.
Experience in managing monitoring or evaluative activities (i.e. post-distribution monitoring) forcash transfer projects is an asset.
Experience in managing financial, operations and programmatic risks in project implementation isan asset.
Knowledge and skills
Detailed knowledge of UNICEF procedures and guidance is required, including:
- Methodology of programme/project management
UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies is an asset.
- Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF, including Procedure onCash Transfers to Beneficiaries is an asset.
- Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and thecurrent UNCEF position and approaches is required.
- UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues, particularly relating toconflicts, natural disasters, and recovery is an asset.
- UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches is an asset.
- Gender equality and diversity awareness is required.
Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner isrequired.
Excellent communication & presentation skills (written & verbal) across multiple audiences with theability to influence others while working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivityand respect for diversity is required.
Effective coordination skills, to coordinate among a diverse group of internal and external projectstakeholders is required.
Demonstrated problem solving skills is required.
High motivation, and dedication to deliver results within strict timeframes is required.
Language requirements: Fluency in English as a working language, and/or Dari or Pashu isrequired. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)is an asset.

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

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