Cash and Markets Coordinator (CMC) 29 views

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern receives a substantial amount of funding from external donors each year.  Increasingly donors are introducing requirements whereby future funding is conditional on Concern ensuring that the names of any new employee or volunteer do not appear on terrorism lists generated by the European Union (List of person, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC No. 2580/2001 applies), the US Government (Office of Foreign Assets Control list of specially designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and the United Nations (Consolidated List).  Any offer of employment (either paid or voluntary) with Concern Worldwide will not be made pending a clearance check being conducted on the applicant.  For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community

Currently, Concern has been working in Afghanistan since 1998, when it responded to an earthquake disaster in Takhar province.  Currently Concern has been working in Takhar, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Khost and Paktika provinces undertaking both emergency response and long term developmental work in the areas of livelihood security, primary education and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Programme Management and quality

• Lead, and provide technical inputs to, collaborative development of Standard operational procedures (SoPs) for Concern Afghanistan’s Cash & Voucher assistance.
• In cooperation with the M&E team and program managers, ensure a transparent targeting process of beneficiaries, respecting the principles of accountability and protection of participants according to Concern Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4).
• Lead and participate in price monitoring, market assessments, market systems analysis, emergency assessments and develop plans for expansion in consultation with line management.
• Ensure that decision-making on feasible and appropriate assistance modalities is informed by relevant assessments and in consultation with relevant internal and external stakeholders (foremost programme participants).
• Provide proactive leadership and management to add value to existing programming, promote best practices, contribute to on-going learning, and develop new programming in line with the country strategy.
• Ensure programme quality throughout the programme implementation and monitoring, according with Concern’s Programme Quality Guidelines.
• Ensure the programme addresses the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.
• Ensure mainstreaming of a gender-sensitive and protection-oriented approach into all programme activities, in particular while working around culturally sensitive and difficult topics (gender-based violence, exclusion of women from society, marginalization of specific ethnic groups) with groups of women, men, girls and boys.
• Ensure that programme strategy and approach is regularly reviewed and adjusted according to the humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan and communicated internally and with donors.
• Ensure that crosscutting themes including accountability, equality, gender, protection, conflict-sensitivity and environment are mainstreamed in the programme as well as adhering to the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Ensure community participation, sensitization and collaboration in programme activities.
• Ensure analysis and application of learning from complaint and feedback information.
• Ensure compliance with international sanctions and provide evidence and information for advocacy teams
• Support institutional fundraising and new business development teams to develop relationships with donors and support the development of new proposals.

Donor Compliance

• Ensure that donor proposals, budgets and reports are of high quality, up to date and delivered in a timely manner in accordance with Concern policies/procedures and donor requirements.
• Ensure that donor strategy, donor guidelines, formats and processes are understood and adhered to within programme implementation and procurement with particular attention to the use of Hawala systems and Financial Service Providers (FSPs).

Representation

• Ensure networking and coordination with local authorities, other NGOs, and UN at regional, provincial, and national level.
• Represent Concern to donors, clusters and other coordination fora as required.

Human Resources

• Identify project staff needs, ensuring that job descriptions are developed, properly qualified staff are recruited, inducted and trained as per the needs of the programme and organization.
• Manage the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal funded programme and UN OCHA (AHF) cash-based programme teams with particular emphasis on capacity building of staff through mentoring, training, and ensuring all staff have up to date job descriptions and performance development reviews (PDR) as per policy.
• Provide technical support to the BHA, Irish Aid, EU, and other cash and market based programmes.
• Manage the Cash and Resilience Programme Team (max 15 staff)

Communications/Reporting

• Ensure all reports, i.e. security, personnel, programme activities, etc. are produced to a high standard and in a timely manner.
• Contribute to external write-ups about Concern’s cash and markets programming
• Maximize visibility & facilitate external (donor, UN, head office, consultants, etc.) visits to the field.

Finance, Admin and Logistics

• Monitor and manage programme expenditure and budgets, ensuring resources are optimally utilized and spending is in line with Concern financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Coordinate the day-to-day management of financial, logistics, administration and human resource needs for programme implementation in line with organizational policy and best practice.
• Provide programme input to longer-term planning within finance, logs, admin and HR functions.

Security and Representation

• In collaboration with the security focal group (SFG) and senior management, undertake analysis of security incidents and trends in the zone of intervention and surrounding areas, ensuring that line management is regularly briefed on the security situation and advise as necessary in relation to adaptation of work plans and movement plans as necessary.
• Participate in the revision of  standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other security related duties when necessary.

Advocacy/Networking and Coordination

• Actively participate in cluster meetings, the Cash and Voucher Working Group, and other relevant inter-agency/coordination meetings at local, provincial and national level as appropriate.
• Share information on specific activities with other actors (other NGOs, UN agencies).
• Support Concern’s advocacy efforts within and outside of the country

Other

• Adhere fully to the commitments and rules of Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct (P4 and CofC), including the respect of confidentiality.
• Take active measures to address equality issues, particularly relating to gender, in programme as well as operational (eg HR) activities.
• Undertake any other relevant and reasonable work as requested by line manager.
• Actively participate in the gender mainstreaming strategy within programmes and operations
• Synthesize, document and share practical evidence and learning.
• Feed into international discussions related to multi-sector market-based programmes, private sector engagement, and cash transfer programmes

CHS & Emergency:

• Concern is committed to the Common Humanitarian Standards (CHS) to ensure accountability to all stakeholders. Concern activities guided by CHS in all stages both emergency and development projects /programs. In Afghanistan, we have an Accountability framework and therefore any Afghanistan employees are responsible to comply with CHS principles and benchmarks. To give your full support in relation to emergencies when occurring in any area that Concern
• Afghanistan will give your full support in relation to emergencies when occurring in any area that Concern Afghanistan will respond.

Essential:

• A relevant degree in a related field (Humanitarian Aid, international development, etc) is essential, together with some theoretical knowledge of the principles and practices of organizational management, emergency preparedness and response.
• A minimum of four years’ experience working in the area of cash transfer programmes, market  development, private sector engagement in an NGO or development agency or the private sector, two of which should have been based in a developing country in Sub Saharan Africa or Asia.
• Experience in various approaches and tools used in market and cash transfer programmes such as market and value chain analysis, income generating activities, community-based saving and loan groups, and business and vocational training.
• Strong understanding of the barriers extreme poor face when interacting with markets; and programmes aiming for financial inclusion of the extreme poor.
• A strong understanding of inequality issues in relation to basic needs, food security and livelihoods programmes.
• Team Management Experience
• Security Management Skills and experience working in an insecure and volatile environment
• Strong knowledge about and commitment to safeguarding principles
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with a particular lens towards gender equity
• Experience of managing a multi-sectoral programme
• Several years implementing cash and market-based approaches
• Strong written and oral English language ability, with demonstrable proposal and report writing skills
• Flexibility, patience and the ability to direct a multi-cultural team
• Demonstrable interpersonal and communication skills
• Good organization, planning and management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and in a challenging environment

Desirable:

• Experience in Afghanistan.
• Knowledge/experience of protection issues
• Experience working on poverty reduction programmes such as graduation.
• Knowledge of programming in volatile economies
• Experience implementing programming with Hawala and other FSPs

Applications should be written in English and demonstrate the applicants suitability for the job. A current Curriculum Vita and three referee’s reports should be included in the application. All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net and Afghanistan.hr@concern.net by closing date 5 June 2023.  CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net and Afghanistan.hr@concern.net by closing date 5 June 2023.  CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.