Regional Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Specialist

Post Title: Regional Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Specialist

Position number: 

Location: Cairo, Egypt 

Type of Contract: FTA

Level: P4

Report to: ASRO Regional Humanitarian Advisor

Background

In 2016, as part of the Grand Bargain, UNFPA joined donors, sister UN agencies and (I)NGOs in its commitment to scaling up high quality, well-coordinated cash and voucher assistance (CVA) that maximizes results for women, girls and youth during crises, leaving no one behind. In 2020, UNFPA clarified the organization’s unique leverage point on CVA within the humanitarian sphere and issued UNFPA’s Commitments to Scaling up Cash & Voucher Assistance which underlines its seven core commitments  at strategic and programmatic levels towards scaling-up of CVA across the organization. 

UNFPA has begun institutionalizing and scaling up CVA programming across the Arab States Region, including in Syria and the refugee-hosting countries involved in the Syria Regional Crisis. CVA has  shown to contribute to women’s feelings of safety and their self-reliance, their access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and in cases of imminent risk of gender-based violence (GBV), their urgent, life-saving needs, all of which support UNFPA’s mandate and strategic goals of eliminating gender-based violence and maternal mortality.

In 2024, there are an estimated 79.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance - half of them female - across 10 countries (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen) covered by ASRO under the Humanitarian Action Overview (HAO). UNFPA, in these countries, have appealed for US$ 366.6 mill in funding. In the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO), UNFPA is currently using CVA within GBV and/or SRH programming in eight countries in the region and is planning to expand to a further two counties, aiming to reach all Arab States countries  in which UNFPA is responding to a humanitarian crisis. 

Purpose:

The Regional Cash and Voucher Assistance Specialist advances the portfolio of CVA in the region and globally in adherence to UNFPA global commitments, the UNFPA Strategic Plan, and UNFPA humanitarian interventions in countries in the Arab Region, supporting the scaling-up of cash and voucher assistance to increase access to GBV prevention and response, strengthening SRH and reproductive rights programming in emergencies, and linking to social protection networks and livelihood mechanisms, where available. 

Overall Duties

Under the direct supervision of the RegionalHumanitarian Advisor for ASRO, and in close collaboration with both the Head of the Regional Humanitarian Hub for the Syria Response and the Global CVA Specialist (HRD), the overall duties and responsibilities of the CVA Specialist will focus on the continuity and quality of cash and voucher programming through technical support and training to UNFPA Arab States country offices, and to the Regional Humanitarian Hub for the Syria Response.

The function includes some travel within the region subject to  security, available funding, and the need for face to face engagement and partnership development.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic CVA programming:

1. Continue technical support to UNFPA Arab States country offices that are in the process of planning or implementing CVA programming;
2. Organize and execute two missions for CVA support in Somalia and Yemen (as requested in the 2024 technical, operational and programmatic -TOPs) and be available for rapid deployment if needed;
3. Prepare and roll out the regional cash in GBV case management training

In addition, ad hoc support may be required to: 

• Support the internal UNFPA Arab States Regional CVA Community of Practice in coordination with the Global CVA Specialist in order to maintain a cohesive regional CVA strategy for UNFPA and share learning, in line with its mandate.
• Lead or support strategic partnerships with UN sister agencies, common cash platforms, and relevant coordination bodies to build upon existing structures and to reach appropriate scale.
• Ensure that CVA modalities are included, to the extent possible,  in UNFPA preparedness and response planning and, ensure consideration and feasibility analysis of CVA (operational, partnership, capacity) in new or scaled-up UNFPA programming.
• Contribute to regional and country office CVA programme development and resource mobilization
• Lead CVA-related internal and donor reporting requirements for the region.
• Lead CVA related knowledge management products, dissemination, and roll out.
• Support inter-agency coordination mechanisms on CVA such as GBV and CVA task forces; CVA and health. Coordinate as appropriate with the UNFPA Global Emergency Response Teams with regard to GBV risk mitigation in CVA / MPCA. Lead and maintain strong relations with partners and country/ regional entities and represent UNFPA in CVA coordination.
• Support regional and country based monitoring, evaluation and evidence-based learning to inform CVA programme development based one roll out of a sound monitoring process for CVA, with proper collection, use and monitoring of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze performance. 

The incumbent will carry out any other duties that may arise as needed by the supervising office and will follow the working  week - Sunday to Thursday

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Seven years of professional experience working on CVA programming in humanitarian or early recovery settings. 
• Proven knowledge, experience and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CVA in GBV, protection and / or health programming
• Understanding of gender and protection considerations in CVA and global issues/trends in this area.
• Demonstrated experience in CVA role at global/regional level.
• Demonstrated experience in interagency coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian programme management in CVA or sectoral areas.
• Expertise in gender, protection, GBV and/or health is an asset.
• Knowledge of and work experience in the Arab Region is an asset
• Knowledge of and work experience in the UN system is an asset
• Strong communications skills. Experience advocating for the use of CVA is an asset.
• Relevant postgraduate (Master’s or above) degree in international relations, humanitarian affairs, economic development, or social sciences and relevant related disciplines.

Language skills

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Working level knowledge of French and / or Arabic would be an asset.