Emergency Response Cash and Voucher Advisor

Job Description

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is looking for a strong Emergency Response Cash and Voucher(ERCV) Advisor to lead the strategic vision, planning and implementation of Cash activities and initiatives. The emergency response portfolio includes a DFID program implemented under the auspices of a Mercy Corps-led consortium of international and local implementing partners designed to enable the most vulnerable in Nepal, can meet their basic needs and cope during the COVID-19 epidemic and the monsoon season. Activities include emergency assistance, social and behavior change communications, cross-cutting protection work, and key linkages to government shock responsive social protection systems, including influencing the humanitarian community via key lessons learned and knowledge management materials. The program will cover three provinces, including 6 districts and is expected to last approximately 6 months. However, Mercy Corps also has a three year USAID program in the pipeline which this position will be transitioning into after the completion of the 6 month DFID program. Mercy Corps is additionally also scoping a number of new opportunities and is interested in expanding this work beyond these particular programs, so the ideal candidate will be interested in making a long-term commitment to a progressive, cutting-edge and dynamic team with Mercy Corps Nepal.

General Position Summary

The ERCV Advisor, under the leadership of Consortium Team Lead, will support Mercy Corps emergency response program with a cash and/or voucher component and is responsible for the strategizing, drafting and disseminating of a Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) strategy for CVA program’s in Mercy Corps Nepal. The ERCV Advisor will work with all consortium and local partners, to develop and implement quality CVA programme design, tools, and associated M&E framework. Other key tasks include leading market assessments and price monitoring, supporting needs assessments as needed and leading program design processes as the portfolio expands. The ERCV Advisor will take a lead role in representation at various high level cash coordination forums within Nepal and Mercy Corps’ global working groups.
The responsibilities of the position will also include technical capacity building, mentoring and guidance for consortium partners, local partners & in-country programs, and support to promote CVA coordination and harmonization efforts across Mercy Corps programs and locations. The position will also be responsible for exploring local partnerships and funding opportunities for both immediate programming with an eye to long-term development and create those linkages along with senior management.
The ERCV Advisor will be expected to work closely with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning focal points. Moreover, as gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), child safeguarding, governance and environmental sensitivity are cross-cutting and core components of the all MC programs, the ERCV Advisor is required to own these components and ensure these components are integrated into his/her work area. S/he should support the GESI and child safeguarding assessments in coordination with MEAL Manager and Safeguarding Focal point.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Support emergency programs in strategizing and developing CVA programs as appropriate.
• Work with relevant technical sector advisors and field management to promote the consideration of cash modalities at program design and, as relevant, optimize use of cash modalities to meet basic needs, food assistance, shelter support, WASH, and early economic recovery.
• Develop strategies with the field management and sector leads to ensure that CVA best practices are systematically implemented and up-dated in the overall response interventions.
• Contribute to country-wide strategy development, promoting the efficacy of CVA as appropriate.

TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT

• Gather/analyze data and complete assessments to determine program needs and priorities. Lead on determining the most appropriate cash delivery modality/modalities for the context.
• Design Mercy Corps’ CVA for the response in Nepal and ensure it encompasses elements of broader agency goals such as social protection, market resilience, food security, WASH, and social cohesion.
• Write/review proposals and concept notes for funding from donors including foundations, corporations, and the US, European, and UN agencies.
• Develop high quality written SOP's and drive implementation with the Emergency Program team.
• Monitor the use of SoPs and adjust them periodically, as required.
• Coordinate programming and the harmonization of ways of working, associated SOPs, tools, and approaches with Consortium partners and the wider community.
• Identify various partners (local NGOs, financial institutions, private companies and government) necessary for successful CVA implementation.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Collaborate with the program teams and the Monitoring and Evaluation function to conduct relevant assessments, present evidence on effectiveness of CVA, and advise on practices around programming for further expansion. Ensure that monitoring and evaluation for the CVA is practical and reflects best practices.
• Provide adequate control over cash operations and ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Infuse market interventions into existing programs to ensure emergency response programs are responsive to local markets and enhance beneficiaries’ coping capacities.
• Ensure quality control, value-added and impact analyses, identification and capitalization of best practices and lessons learned and make relevant feedback for the development of new projects execution;
• Contribute to the drafting of reports on CVA activities, in accordance with the requirements of Mercy Corps and donors.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget.

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Contribute to drafting scope of work/hiring CVA-focused team members and technical consultants. Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary. Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Facilitate trainings and regular coaching sessions to ensure all project staff are concurrent with CVA systems, tools and methodologies
• Strengthen the capacity of all staff’s understanding of and contribution to CVA programming.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Represent Mercy Corps at the Cash Working Groups and other relevant coordination mechanisms such as Food Security, etc.
• Represent Mercy Corps in Consortium meetings, as required.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Work with the Regional and HQ Program teams to identify additional opportunities for medium-term and longer-term market-based programming and/or complementary programming.

SECURITY

• Work closely with relevant field management staff to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of operating teams when implementing CVA.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members and community operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

SAFEGUARDING AND ETHICS

• All Mercy Corps staff members are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate the highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse,
  harassment or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.
• Mercy Corps has zero tolerance for abuse, sexual misconduct and sexual exploitation (PSEA) of the people we work with and our own staff members. All staff must commit to internal policies.

OTHERS

• Ensure proper integration of safeguarding and GESI aspects into sector specific project planning and implementation.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor and or Country Director.

Supervisory Responsibility

NONE

Accountability
Reports Directly to: Consortium Team Leader

Works Directly with: International and National Consortium team, Mercy Corps Nepal’s operations, HR, finance and other project teams; Mercy Corps’ HQ teams including technical advisors in cash and digital cash, gender, protection and emergency response, plus the UK-based finance and project support teams. In particular, close coordination with Mercy Corps’ regional and HQ-level Cash teams.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in CVA required
• Strong understanding of theoretical and applied knowledge about CVA
• Demonstrated technical competence to lead rapid market assessments, identify and initiate setup of payment mechanisms, conduct response analysis and CVA program design, develop CVA SOPs designed to reduce risk and enhance quality.
• Understanding of social protection, and linkages between CTP and social protection systems, desirable.
• Previous CVA experience in complex/emergency responses, and working with a consortium in Nepal context is preferred.
• Experience in Nepal context preferred.
• Experience with the design, implementation & compliance of DFID and USAID (OFDA and FFP) funded CVA programming preferred.
• BA/S in economic development, international relations or other relevant degree.
• Experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives;
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders;
• Experience working with international NGOs, and/or private sector organizations focused on development or humanitarian assistance;
• Excellent oral and written English skills required;
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment;

Success Factors

A successful ERCV Advisor will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.
The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.