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Cash transfer has been used for at least a decade in Mali in both development and humanitarian contexts. In line with Grand Bargain commitments, UNICEF aims to expand the use of cash-based assistance where possible to support those most in need across the country. There is not a recent and comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of large-scale cash transfer Programme in Mali, but the current context seems to lend itself perfect for the purpose provided that dedicated technical capacity able to navigate the complex operating environment is in place internally and externally within sister agencies and implementing partners.
UNICEF's cash transfer operations are currently growing in scale and in geographic focus. These operations target the most vulnerable people, notably the populations most affected by the COVD-19 pandemic, children in a situation of malnutrition or at risk of being malnourished, pregnant and lactating women, households with girls at risk of drop out from school, women's savings groups and nutrition support groups, etc. As the people targeted are already vulnerable, the short- and medium-term objective is not necessarily to boost empowerment but to enable households to meet urgent and essential needs to serve as a lever for social safety nets.
UNICEF is also preparing to provide cash in extreme humanitarian conditions to relieve populations affected by displacement, epidemics, climate change and natural disasters. Given the near unpredictability of most of these situations and their potential and actual scale, the challenge remains how to be ready to deploy a multisectoral response with a cash component at any given time within the broader context of the Core Commitments for Children (CCC).
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the Chief Social Policy, the Social Policy Specialist will have the following major duties and responsibilities:
1. Strategic support
Assess program needs, risk assessment of the context to advise the office in the strategic positioning on Cash-Assistance Based Transfers directly to beneficiaries (CABT) and HACT cash programs (HCPs) Provide technical assistance to UNICEF Mali CO in the conceptualization, contextualization, strategic and operational planning, and programme implementation regarding CABT and HCPs and establish a strategic response plan for the use of cash assistance at scale in close collaboration with programme and operations teams Assess UNICEF’s readiness to implement cash transfers by implementing the roadmap for the minimum preparedness standard of the Emergency Preparedness and Planning (MPS 9) Support analysis of national social protection systems to identify functional areas that could be leveraged in the short and medium term for delivery of cash assistance at scale in accordance with national social protection policy and its action plan and identify areas of national systems to prioritize for recovery support and develop working relationships with system actors and relevant stakeholders.2. Programme design
Lead, in coordination with the programme section and operations, the development of cash transfer programmes including on targeting, registration, payment and complaints/grievance system to improve sectorial objectives. Support the development of a detailed plan and a clear segregation of duties and the implementation of risk mitigation measures for the office wide cash transfers programmes Provide technical support from programmatic perspective in defining the scope, the geographic area(s), the beneficiary preferences, the delivery mechanisms, the procurement strategy, including collaborative options in the context of the program being implemented as well as the operating context of the country. Provide technical support in operational preparedness including macro and micro-financial assessments, Financial Services Providers procurement and contractual arrangements3. Programme implementation and monitoring
Develop, review, and maintain work plans with time frames and deadlines for key activities, based on changing and emerging needs, and ensure that standard operating procedures are developed and kept up to date. Design a sound and effective monitoring and knowledge management system including distribution monitoring and post-distribution monitoring. In particular insure that (i) the list of beneficiaries selected in accordance to transparent criteria for inclusion is accurate and up to date, (ii) the beneficiaries exist and are eligible to receive cash assistance; (iii) the eligible beneficiaries have received the cash assistance and the payment amount is accurate and (iii) The eligible beneficiaries have a channel to voice concerns on and (iv) a third-party monitoring mechanism for the process and output monitoring of cash transfer programme is set up; Work closely with monitoring and evaluation system for cash transfer programme and implement recommendations to improve the efficiency and quality of the programmes using the cash modality. Develop a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure quality monitoring of all UNICEF funded cash transfers in collaboration with implementing partners.4. Capacity building
Supports the collection, analysis, and user-friendly presentation of data on social protection and cash transfer coverage and gaps, linking with multidimensional poverty and including strengthening national capacity to collect routinely, report and use data for policy decision-making. Disseminate UNICEF cash transfer programme related policy, guidance, and tools as well as inter-agency strategies and operational guidelines Organize training session of UNICEF staff in close collaboration with the CALP Network Support the responsible ministry with the Annual Social Protection Review at national and local levels.5. Coordination
Coordinate programmatic and operational response analysis to inform response plans, including financial sector assessments in close coordination with the Operations team, to determine viable payment mechanisms, clarify the regulatory environment and define programmatic risk outlook. Ensure operational linkages between UNICEF cash assistance and relevant UNICEF sectors including for identification of multipurpose cash transfer interventions. Act as the secretary of the internal Cash Working group Update the mapping of cash transfers projects in Mali. Represent UNICEF in inter-agency for a such as Cash Working Group and liaise with other key players to identifies entry points for collaboration, complementary and operational and programmatic synergies including joint delivery mechanism to avoid duplications of efforts and maximize the impact for the most in need.For detailed job description, please click on the following link: TDRs Social Policy Specialist Final.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in development economics, poverty alleviation, social policy, social protection, public policy, other relevant social science disciplines. Recent trainings in the field of social cash transfers will be given due consideration.For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
Remarks:
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.
This vacancy is archived.