National Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Specialist at FAO

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises. The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource Management, and Food Security Information Management and Analysis. The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will coordinate and be assigned.

Reporting Lines

The National Cash and Voucher Assistance Specialist will report to the FAO Representative (FAOR) under the direct supervision of the Head of Office of the FAO Northeast office and in close collaboration with the emergency and resilience programme coordinator/ Head of Programme and the International Cash and Voucher Expert/area coordinator and FAO emergency operations Specialist.

Technical Focus

The National Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Specialist will be part of the FAO Nigeria Programme Team and will be responsible for providing technical, programmatic, and operational implementation support through the formulation, planning, implementation, and monitoring of FAO cash transfer and voucher activities in the country.

Tasks and responsibilities

Within the overall scope of work, the incumbent is responsible for the following tasks:

•    Coordinate the formulation, planning, timely implementation monitoring, and evaluation of projects and activities delivered through CVA modalities, including electronic vouchers, ensuring high operational standards and compliance with FAO corporate rules and regulations and, in particular, the MS702 (cash transfers) and MS704 (vouchers).

•    Provide contributions to ongoing processes required for the implementation of CVA modalities, including, but not limited to:
o    Humanitarian needs and market assessments
o    Response options and feasibility analysis
o    identification, contracting, and management of the relationships with financial service providers (FSP) for both cash and vouchers if required.
o    identification, engagement, training/capacity development, supervision, and management of the relationships with service providers/implementing partners.
o    identification, contracting and management of the relationships with voucher-redeeming suppliers (VRS) for vouchers.
o    development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cash transfers, vouchers, beneficiary selection and registration processes, reconciliation, etc.
o    set up and management of complaints and feedback mechanisms/grievance redress mechanisms for CVA activities.
o    information, awareness raising, and other direct communications with beneficiaries throughout implementation.

•    Manage the day-to-day relationship with service providers/partners, voucher-redeeming suppliers, financial service providers, and other partners FAO engages with for the targeting, distribution, verification, and monitoring of CVA interventions.

•    Serve as the focal person to support the rollout of the FAO Identification, Delivery, Empowerment Application (IDEA) digital ecosystem for beneficiary registration, secured management of beneficiaries’ personal data, assistance delivery and tracking, and reporting.

•    Serve as a liaison and facilitate discussions with local stakeholders, including private sector organizations, humanitarian NGOs, and local government institutions, as necessary to inform the above processes and to ensure appropriate information exchange.

•    Participate in information, awareness raising, and other direct communication campaigns with beneficiaries, implying field visits should the security situation allow or alternative means as functional to the process.

•    Support the establishment of relevant tools for the post-distribution tracking, monitoring, evaluation, reconciliation, and reporting of CVA delivery and ensure their regular rollout by FAO and Partners

•    Regularly participate and represent FAO in relevant meetings and sub-teams of the Cash Working Group and other forums and discussions on cash transfers, vouchers, social protection, and related topics to orient and inform FAO’s own programming (in terms of potential partners, preferred approaches, delivery mechanisms, transfer value, etc.)

•    Contribute to the formulation of the CVA component of pipeline projects, proposals, concept notes, reports, and strategic documents based on ongoing experience.

•    In the course of the work, support the identification and documentation of CVA-related good practices that have the potential to enhance the quality of FAO’s future interventions and support their dissemination throughout the organization as opportune.

•    Undertake other relevant duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

•    University degree in social sciences, management, accounting, economics, or related field
•    3 years relevant experience working in a humanitarian context in agriculture and development programmes with relevant knowledge and experience in field project management, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development is desirable.
•    Demonstrated relevant experience in field-level implementation of humanitarian assistance programs, including the use of CVA modalities.
•    Working knowledge of English.
•    National of Nigeria.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working in a humanitarian context in the field of agriculture and with a deep understanding of emergency agriculture concepts and programming.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working with communities and diverse stakeholders in conflict-affected areas.
•    Familiarity and proven experience in project management and development
•    Excellent command of written and spoken English as all duties will have to be performed in English.
•    Excellent computer skills, communication, writing, and presentation skills.
•    Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and duty travel as required.
•    Flexibility and adaptability to work in emergency situations with tight deadlines.
•    Excellent team-building and cross-cultural skills.
•    Sound knowledge and understanding of the ongoing emerging policy issues in Agriculture, Food Security, Rural Development, Poverty Eradication, and social protection.
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience working with a wide range of individuals at high levels in government, private sector, and civil society.
•    Experience working with government counterparts, national or international financial institutions, and private sector/ civil society in the field of economic and social development in Nigeria.

Selection Criteria 

•    Master’s level university degree is an added advantage in social sciences, management, accounting, economics, or related field
•    A sound knowledge/experience in working with communities and diverse stakeholders in conflict affected areas. Good and proven experience in community development and mobilization is an advantage.
•    Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and to work autonomously.
•    Rigor and demonstrated attention to detail.
•    Quality of both oral and written communication skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION