In 2016 as part of the Grand Bargain, UNFPA joined donors, other UN agencies and 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 terms of programming, CVA has been shown to contribute to women’s feelings of safety and self-reliance, their access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and in cases of imminent risk of gender-based violence (GBV), their life-saving urgent needs, all of which support UNFPA’s mandate and strategic goals of eliminating gender-based violence and maternal mortality. UNFPA has begun institutionalizing and scaling up CVA programming in the Arab States Region and the refugee-hosting countries of the Syria Regional Crisis.
UNFPA is uniquely positioned as both an operational UN agency, working closely with local and national partners, and as the coordination lead of the Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility (GBV AoR) and national GBV coordination groups to promote quality cash and voucher assistance within its humanitarian programming. The GBV AoR has committed to advocating for GBV risk prevention and mitigation across all CVA, and for the application of a GBV and protection lens in multipurpose cash assistance.
Purpose:
The Cash and Voucher Assistance specialist will build capacity, support strategic decision-making and oversee technical roll-out and scale-up of its CVA programming as part of GBV and SRH in emergency and protracted crisis settings in the Arab States Region. This is an opportunity for the incumbent to contribute to building CVA within UNFPA and s/he will serve as a technical expert in this regard, working closely with the Global CVA Specialist at UNFPA’s Humanitarian Office in Geneva.
Qualifications and Experience
- Seven years of professional experience working on CVA programming in humanitarian or early recovery settings.
- Proven knowledge and technical skills in set up, design, implementation and monitoring of CVA from a multisectoral and/or protection perspective.
- Understanding of gender and protection considerations in CVA and global issues/trends in this area.
- Knowledge of and work experience in the Arab States Region is an asset.
- 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.
- Strong communications skills. Experience advocating for the use of CVA is an asset.
- Relevant post-graduate (Master’s or above) degree in international relations, humanitarian affairs, economic development, or social sciences.
Language skills
- Fluency in English. French or Arabic would be an asset.
- Excellent written and verbal English skills.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
