Cash and Markets Project Manager (Information Systems Operations) Ukraine

Duty station: Kyiv, Ukraine.

1. Background/Context

The Norwegian Refugee Council has been present in Ukraine since 2014, helping more than 700,000 people with food, shelter, water, sanitation, and legal assistance. Rapid change of situation in February 2022 during which whole Ukraine became affected by the conflict required significant scale-up of emergency programmes. In response to the large-scale of displacement of refugees fleeing Ukraine, NRC is in the process of setting up humanitarian operations for refugees arriving in Poland, Romania and Moldova. NRC will respond, focusing on an integrated approach that combines our sectoral areas of expertise – education, protection, urban displacement outside camps, legal aid (ICLA) and shelter – working to a great extent through local partners.

The bulk of NRC’s response is through Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance, leading to the creation of a regional Cash and Markets team who support the work carried out by the Ukraine Country Office Cash and Markets team. This regional team focuses on coherence (ensuring tools and approaches are standardised across the response), creativity (focusing on innovative thinking), collaboration (working with different departments and teams across NRC), accountability (being honest and transparent about challenges and successes) and creating an enabling environment whereby tools and skills are shared across NRC.

1. Generic Responsibilities

• Line management for project staff.
• Adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures.
• Contribute to the development of Country, Area and cash strategies, initiate and participate in the development of relevant cash projects.
• Coordinate and manage Cash project implementation (activities, budget and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements.
• Implement technical direction and ensure high technical quality of projects.
• Provide regular progress reports to the Head of Programmes and the Cash and Markets Specialist.
• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist.
• Develop and manage project budget and coordinate across CCs.
• Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills.

1. Specific Responsibilities

• Responsible for operating multiple management systems (DCH, CRM, Beneficiary management, FSP) enabling accurate data capture and processing of communication and distributions.
• Build data collection surveys and flows for new project launches, assessments and as per requirements, enabling NRC to reach more people across more geographies to collect needed data.
• Segregate and identify batches of beneficiaries to execute communication, payments or surveys upon request and need.
• Train and hand hold non-IT colleagues towards the usage and operations of different functionalities of multiple systems enabling coherent processes.
• Initiate Cash transfers to beneficiaries operating established information systems, API or financial service provider’s portal and prepare supporting documentation.
• The Digital Community Hub (DCH), an omnichannel communication system, is NRC’s main tool for engaging with communities. The Cash Systems Operations Officer will implement the engagement strategy, the sourcing and creation of content, and the coordination with similar activities in the area.
• Segregate Beneficiary data into groups and maintain timely communication and notification with beneficiaries based on project stage using Twilio and Telerivet platforms.
• Produce and process payment files in coordination with finance team and Cash PDM.
• Lead the implementation of campaigns to ensure implementation according to plans and agreed standards.

1. Generic Professional Competencies

• University degree in Information management, Business administration, IT or in Development studies.
• Minimum 5 years of experience of information systems operation.
• Ability to coordinate tasks and work processes and work with short deadlines.
• Experience with facilitating and leading internal organisational processes.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.

1. Context /Specific Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Knowledge and adherence of EU (European Union) GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), data privacy mechanisms
• Strong knowledge and understanding of operating business information systems
• Knowledge of humanitarian information management functions and coordination mechanisms
• Field experience and understanding of cash-based programming initiatives and software such as Red Rose, LMMS, MasterCard Aid Network, ODK or other form builders.
• Familiarity with Digital Communication Cloud Based tools such as Twilio, and Telerivet.

Find more details about the role HERE.

1. What We Offer

• Type of contract: 12 months employment contract with possibility of extension.
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions.
• Duty station: Kyiv, Ukraine.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC HERE.

Important information about the application process:

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, we have been continuously scaling up our response across the country and working with national partners.

Eight years of conflict in the east of Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war on 24 February 2022, causing death, destruction and displacement for millions of people across the country. 17.6 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023, including 6.3 million internally displaced people and 11.3 million people who returned or remained home. Almost 16 million people received humanitarian assistance in 2022.

Throughout the winter months, the Russian Federation attacked critical energy infrastructure, leaving thousands with no heating, water or gas. Many residential buildings were also damaged and destroyed, killing and injuring civilians and forcing millions more to leave their homes. While indiscriminate attacks continued in different regions of Ukraine, the south was struck by the Kakhovka Dam breach on 6 June 2023, causing flooding and the displacement of thousands of people in the area, and leaving many regions without access to clean drinking water. Those who decided to remain are struggling to access food, water, health care, education and other essential services.

The most vulnerable people are still in need of safe housing, protection services and livelihoods support among other needs. Displaced people in rural areas are also struggling to access services. Many of those in need of assistance live in the areas beyond the control of Ukrainian government, where the response is limited due to access constraints.

• Learn more about NRC HERE and NRC Ukraine HERE.

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply, and we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.

NRC might review applications before the advertised deadline, therefore interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Please note fluency in both Russian and English is required for this position. Candidates who do not command either of the languages will not be able to be considered.