Cash and Voucher Assistance Program Officer at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Cash and Voucher Assistance Program Officer

Location: Dikwa, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time
Safeguarding Risk Level: 3

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps Nigeria is currently delivery a 24-month assistance and early recovery intervention in line with the Borno State Government Strategic Transformational Initiatives-STIs (2020-2030) and 25-Year Development Framework.
• The Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts in Borno (BEGE-Borno) intervention not only contributes to Pillar Six (Reconstruct, Rehabilitate & Resettle) of the Borno State Government STIs, it also aligns with Mercy Corps vision of building towards a more inclusive, resilient future for the communities we serve through a framework of helping people and communities to cope, adapt and thrive.
• The BEGE Borno intervention’s goal is to deliver lifesaving, life-sustaining interventions and enhance adaptation of 238,369 displaced, returnee and host households to shocks and systemic constraints within Borno State.
• BEGE Borno is a consortium led by Mercy Corps, with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as a partner, alongside other local partners, delivering integrated assistance to people in acute need through Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Assistance, Unconditional Cash, Protection, Shelter, and Agriculture sectors.
• The CVA response team support multi-sectoral implementation of activities in the field, timely delivery of multi-Purpose cash Assistance to vulnerable host community, IDPs, returnees, and new arrival.

General Position Summary

• The CVA Program Officer, under the supervision of the Cash and Voucher senior Officer will support the day-to-day implementation of multisectoral cash and voucher assistance activities using systems in place to support cash transfer programming in Northeast Nigeria (Borno state).
• S/he will work closely with other sectors such as FSL, protection, Nutrition, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations) to ensure that activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.

Responsibilities

• Plan and ensure the effective implementation of CVA activities
• Contribute to all CVA related field work, including community mobilization, beneficiary identification/registration, distributions, and monitoring.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Coordinate payment procedures, including documentation, approval and actual payment.
• Maintain all documentation relating directly to CFW activities required to ensure accountability to the donor, particularly where labor is concerned.
• Oversee administrative matters relating directly to CFW activities: reconciliation, payment schedules, required paper-work and liaison with finance department.
• Maintain all documentation relating directly to cash transfer activities required to ensure accountability.
• Oversee administrative matters relating directly to cash transfer activities including reconciliation with cash-out agents following distributions.
• Contribute to effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use in coordination with the other program staff.
• Work with the Senior Program Officer – Cash & Vouchers to prepare monthly cash requirement forecast for MPCA, including the purchase service fee for FSP.
• Support orientation for all new staff on CVA.
• Report on any problems encountered in the field such as project participant complaints, local authority interference, and security threats to MC staff and activities. Coordinate with MC Security Officer and Livelihoods Manager on any threats to MC staff and activities; follow up on incidents/security threats in areas of operation.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Strategy and Vision:

• Recognize opportunities to evolve the current humanitarian portfolio into a more effective and impactful portfolio addressing the changing needs of conflict-affected populations.
• Contribute to countrywide strategy development.

Representation and Coordination:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective coordination with relevant working groups, UN, ICRC and colleagues I/NGO agencies.

Program Management:

• Oversee the implementation of Cash-Based intervention activities and administration of the teams across program field locations.
• Develop activity work plans and manage day-to-day activity implementation.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to community needs, meets targets, and is carried out in line with best practices.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to vulnerability criteria.
• Establish and maintain effective program reporting, and monitoring and evaluation systems (to track, analyze and report on results) for both internal and external use.
• Integrate community approaches, protection mainstreaming, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program filing system is in place, adheres to internal and donor regulation and filing is regularly maintained.
• Adhere to all MC policies related to security, operations and transport/ logistics information related to programming.

Team Management:

• Supervise, hire, and orient team members, as necessary.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Identify any gaps or capacity needs within the team and ensure training and capacity building are incorporated into program planning.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with all donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• NA

Accountability:

• Reports Directly to - Cash and Voucher Senior Program Officer.

Works directly with:

• Field Program manager, MEL Team, Finance, Program and Operation teams

Knowledge and Experience

• BA / BSc in Business Administration, Finance, Economic or any relevant field required.
• 3 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based humanitarian program and familiar with cash and voucher assistance which include implementing different type Cash assistance intervention.
• Prior experience implementing CVA with electronic platform is required, preferably in conflict settings.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to identify beneficiaries according to criteria required.
• Experience with running assessments, monitoring redemption and other learning efforts required.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
• Commitment to renewing and maintaining knowledge of best practices.
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills.
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building.
• S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together.
• Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges.
• We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
• We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

• Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis.
• We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.
• We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all.
• We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics:

• Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity.
• We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
• We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members.
• As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and always adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
29th July, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note:

• As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to the Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected])
• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Note that Mercy Corps upholds a strict policy against accepting any form of bribe in our recruitment process. We prioritize fairness and transparency in our selection process.