cropped cropped White with Bold Red Political Logo 1 2481 Global Cash & Market Specialist

Global Cash & Market Specialist

International Committee of the Red Cross

Requisition ID: 20863

Region: Europe (HQ)

Contract type: Open-ended contract

Reports to (role)

Head of Economic Security

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose of the position

The HQ Income & Markets Specialist is the reference person for cash and market-based programming implemented and led by EcoSec. The incumbent is thus responsible for the overall policies, thematic and technical guidance on market analysis and market-based programming (MBP) within EcoSec, which includes cash and voucher assistance (CVA), Micro Economic Initiatives (MEI), market support and value-chain development (VCD). The incumbent reports to the Deputy Head of the EcoSec Unit and is the functional manager of the regional Cash & Markets Specialists (Nairobi, Dakar, Amman) and the regional MEI Advisor (Bangkok). In addition to his/her role as thematic lead on market-based programming, the incumbent also provides in-country operational support to ICRC delegations, primarily in Eurasia (focus geographic area) and in rapid deployments globally.

Main duties and responsibilities

Global thematic issues

Strategic steer and guidance on market analysis, CVA, MEI and value-chain development.

As the HQ EcoSec Income & Markets specialist, you will:

  • Promote and help embed market-based approaches in the relief, livelihood and structural support interventions implemented and led by EcoSec;
  • Ensure market analysis is routinely conducted to inform relief, livelihood and structural support interventions, by closely working with Regional and Delegation Cash & Markets specialists;
  • Define thematic priorities related to market analysis, cash & market-based programming in close coordination with the EcoSec Unit Management, the regional Cash & Markets Specialists, and the CVA Institutional lead;
  • Provide strategic steer and technical guidance on market analysis, MEI, market support interventions and value-chain development;
  • Lead the development of technical guidelines and user-friendly briefs on market analysis, CVA (including working on Social Protection and social safety nets) & market-based programming;
  • Contribute to updating or developing specific ICRC institutional guidance and policy (e.g.: CVA Standard Operating Procedures; CVA and Data Protection; CVA and digital technologies);
  • Contribute to internal and external research initiatives (e.g.: Humanitarian Action Challenge with the Academic Institutes ETH Zurich & EPF Lausanne);
  • Keep abreast of and reports on global and regional trends and cross-cutting themes in cash and market-based programming;
  • Collect and disseminate external information on experiences, lessons learnt, good practices on cash & market-based interventions;
  • Disseminate internal lessons learned and good practices on income support & markets.

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  • Support relevant RC/RC Movement working groups and initiatives in relation to cash & markets;
  • Lead the EcoSec Community of Practice on Income and Markets;
  • Provide technical supervision of regional Cash & Markets Specialists and regional MEI advisor;
  • Engages with Logistics, Finance and Administration, and Management to ensure smooth coordination and sharing of information according to the ICRC CVA Standard Operating Procedures.

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Capacity building

As the HQ EcoSec Income & Markets specialist, you will:

  • Lead capacity building on market-based programming, including market system analysis, MEI, market support interventions and value-chain development (in collaboration with EcoSec regional Cash & Markets specialists and EcoSec regional MEI Advisor);
  • Support the identification of training needs and coordinate the design and delivery of workshops and training modules on income support & markets at regional and delegation levels;
  • Lead the roll-out and delivery of recently developed training packages/materials on market-based programming (including MEI and value chain development) at regional and delegation levels (online and in-country);
  • Provide coaching to mobile regional and Delegation Cash & Markets specialists;
  • Identify internal talents, and suggest ways to strengthen their capacities (training, mentoring, exposure missions, deployments…);
  • Collaborate with the EcoSec Learning and Development focal points to embed market-based programming in new EcoSec training modules;
  • Develop new training package, including online modules;
  • Closely collaborate with the CVA Institution Lead in delivering CVA trainings within ICRC and the RCRC Movement;
  • Contribute to Movement market training development and delivery at global level.

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Operational Support

  • Ensure quality and coherence in the design and implementation of market-based interventions in EcoSec programmes, closely working with the EcoSec HQ thematic leads on Agriculture and Animal health;
  • Carry out short-term support assignments (up to 6 weeks) and provide remote support to delegations based on their needs and requests, leading and supporting rapid market assessments and CVA feasibility studies.;
  • Support when required the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of CVA. Recommend ways to integrate market aspects into existing and planned economic security monitoring systems, including which market indicators should be monitored and how they should be interpreted to adjust interventions;
  • Initiate and support the set-up and implementation of CVA preparedness plans and activities;
  • Review and support the assessment of existing social protection systems for potential linkage with CVA;
  • Lead the analysis of key market systems in the agri-food sector (cereals, horticulture, livestock, fisheries), labour, housing, and other essential services such as water and energy in close collaboration with the Water and Habitat Unit (WASH & Shelter), in order to inform market-based interventions;
  • Closely collaborate with the Analysis & Evidence specialists to assess the impact of ICRC programmes on market systems.

People management responsibilities

Acts as technical supervisor for Regional C&M Specialists.

Works closely with the Talent Manager to maintain the pools of cash and markets specialists (including recruitment, competency validation, deployment planning, track 1 and track 2 IAP, development/career planning etc.)

Scope & Impact

Geographical remit: Global.

Based in Geneva with up to 60% field trips primarily in Eurasia as the focal point for technical support, but as well as to other Delegations in conjunction with regional Cash & Markets specialists.

Relationships

Internally, interacts primarily:

  • at HQ level: with EcoSec HQ teammates, CVA Institutional Lead, Analysis & Evidence Lead and Strategic Water and Habitat Advisor; Resource Mobilization (New Financing Models and Development Actors);
  • at regional level: with regional Cash & Markets Specialists, regional MEI advisor, regional Analysis & Evidence specialists;
  • at delegation level: Cash & Markets Specialist and EcoSec Coordinators.

Externally:

  • networks with and contributes to representing ICRC within RCRC Movement partners, technical fora (e.g.: CaLP Network; BEAM; Markets in Crisis;) and within the relevant coordination platforms (e.g.: Food Sec & Livelihood Cluster; Early Recovery) in order to remain up to date on new developments (guidance, tools, etc.), identify trends and contributes with insights from ICRC practice;
  • Establishes and develops contacts and coordinates with other humanitarian agencies or partners working on cash and market-based interventions;
  • When deployed, represents the ICRC, with national and local authorities.

Education and experience required

  • Master-level or above in Development Economics, International Relations, Political Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Economy, Food Systems or in a technical domain related to market-based programming;
  • 12 to 15 years overall professional experience, with at least 10 years of practical field experience in relief, food security and livelihood sectors in various humanitarian contexts (crisis – armed conflict or disaster-related emergency, rehabilitation, resilience building), including 5-7 years of experience in:
    • designing and implementing CVA (covering various modalities, mechanisms and approaches);
    • leading market system analysis (including labour market and value chain analysis) and providing technical recommendations for project and programme implementation;
    • designing and implementing Microeconomic initiatives, Value Chain Development and MSME support, closely working with community-based organisations and private sector actors in conflict-affected environments;
  • Experience in supporting, supervising or developing different market based interventions, including market support interventions and value chain development projects;
  • Experience in using market system development approaches (e.g.: Making Markets Work for the Poor);
  • Proven experience with the conduct of trainings for audiences at different levels of expertise (beginner, advanced) and with coaching experience;
  • Experience working on transversal issues and programmes;
  • Advisory experience at regional or global level in CVA-related field capacity building, development of strategy, direct support to field operations etc;
  • Fluency in French and English (both orally and in writing);
  • Computer proficiency.

Additional information

  • Location: Geneva
  • Type of contract: open-ended (4 years assignment)
  • Grade: C2
  • Activity rate: 100%
  • Estimated start date: August 2023
  • Application deadline: 19.02.2023

How to apply

Are you ready to explore the next chapter of your career? Apply now!

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all regions of the world.

Please apply here.


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