Assc Cash-Based Intervention (CBI) Officer

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time volunteer position within the Cash-Based Intervention (CBI) Unit in our Sub-Office in Bassikounou, Mauritania.

The CBI unit manages and supervises UNHCR cash assistance programs both in urban areas (Nouakchott, Nouadhibou) and in the Hodh Chargui region where the Mbera refugee camp is located. The unit helps to ensure that the operation complies with the technical guidance and administrative instructions on cash interventions, that the CBI is used in a coherent and strategic way and that it is subject to a adequate follow-up.

UNHCR is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Assc Cash-Based Intervention (CBI) Officer

Duty Station: Bassikounou, Mauritania

Duration: As soon as possible and until 31.12.2022

Contract Type: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Closing date: 08 March 2022

Start date: 01 April 2022

Organizational context

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It implements its protection programs worldwide and raises public awareness of the situation of refugees around the world.

UNHCR Mauritania provides protection and assistance to some 65,000 Malian refugees in the arid south-eastern region where the Mbera refugee camp is located, and to some 9,000 urban refugees and asylum seekers in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The security situation in Mali is still unstable and large-scale returns are not expected. Malians continue to arrive in Mauritania as part of mixed population flows.

The position

The Associate Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) Officer is an active member of the field operation. The incumbent supports to ensure that operations are compliant with the technical guidance and administrative instructions on CBI, use CBI coherently and strategically and are adequately monitored.

S/he normally receives guidance and direction from the Assc CBI Officer based in Nouakchott and the Head of Sub-Office in Bassikounou.

Internally the Associate CBI Officer will also liaise with other UNCHR field offices and country offices. Externally s/he will assist in liaising with Implementing and Operational Partners, National Governments, line ministries and UN agencies.

The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Assc CBI Officer and the Head of Sub-office, the UN Volunteer will perform the following tasks:

· Assist in liaising with key institutions and UNHCR partners involved in the implementation of cash-based interventions in Mbera camp in particular and Hodh Chargui in general.

· Support the monitoring of UNHCR cash-based interventions activities in Bassikounou, including through participation in regular monitoring missions. Evaluate the implementation of assistance projects by managing post-distribution monitoring exercises and ensuring adequate quality control of evaluations.

· Support the development of eligibility targeting models for cash assistance, following applicable procedures and policies.

· Support the integration of UNHCR’s cash-based interventions activities within

· CashAssist and other CBI referral platforms and modules.

· Support the development and dissemination of policies, operational guidelines, instructions, tools and analytical frameworks aimed at ensuring the technical integrity of cash-based intervention programs, building on existing guidelines and tools where possible.

· Liaise with technical sectors and protection colleagues to integrate cash-based interventions into existing approaches, tools and strategies.

· Engage with multi-functional teams that implement cash-based interventions and build their capacity on various aspects of cash-based interventions.

· Maintain and expand a network of strategic and operational partners (including UN agencies, NGOs, private entities) to ensure complementarity and effectiveness and share lessons learned.

· Represent UNHCR in CBI technical working group meetings as required

· Contribute to the drafting of the CBI Unit’s contributions to UNHCR Mauritania reporting requirements

· Perform other related duties as required

In addition to the above, UN Volunteers are expected to:

· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading materials made available by the UNV programme, external publications and taking an active part in UNV activities, for example being involved in activities commemorating the International Day of the Volunteers (JIV), on December 5.

· Become familiar with and develop any form of traditional and/or local volunteering in the host country.

· Reflect the type and nature of voluntary actions they undertake, including their participation in substantive reflections.

· Contribute to the drafting of articles on field experiences to be submitted for UNV publication/website, newsletter and press releases, etc.;

· Contribute to the Welcome Program for newly arrived United Nations Volunteers in the country of assignment;

· Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteers or encourage individuals and organizations to use online volunteer services when technically possible.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

Minimum 3 years of previous professional experience related to the function.

Knowledge of local institutions, with particular emphasis on those responsible for government social safety nets.

Proven technical knowledge and skills in setting up, designing, implementing and monitoring CBIs from a multi-sectoral perspective.

Experience working effectively with NGOs, UN organizations or government authorities at the national/local level.

Excellent networking skills with private and public sector institutions.

Excellent computer skills.

Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively within a multicultural team of international and national staff.

Field experience.

Location

The successful candidate will be based with the team in Bassikounou, Mauritania.

Conditions

This opportunity starts as soon as possible and until the 31.12.2022, with possibility of extension.

It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 8.00 am to 5.45 pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.00 am to 13.00 pm on Fridays (40 hours per week).