Cash & Livelihoods Technical Advisor, Poland & Ukraine

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC is working to improve the safety, health, education, economic well-being and power of people in crisis affected places.

The Economic Recovery and Development Technical Unit (ERD TU) is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and monitoring of client-centered programs such as, but not limited to, cash and voucher assistance (CVA), rural & agricultural livelihoods, and enterprise development and employment promotion. The TU’s technical assistance to this wide variety of programs ensures quality and use of evidence-based practices; promotes innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and drives data-based management and decision making.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Cash and Livelihoods Technical Advisor (TA) will spend at least 80% of their time delivering technical assistance in-person and remotely to program colleagues in IRC Poland and Ukraine, focused on livelihoods and CVA programming across sectors as well as general economic program design, labor market integration, and implementation and learning support. This is a primarily programs-focused position with the central responsibility concentrated on program quality. It is expected that approximately 40% of the total time will be deployed to Poland or Ukraine, to support program quality in person. However, the TA may also be deployed in other emergency responses in on short notice, as requested. The TA must be well versed in gender-sensitive programming and be able to support gender-transformative approaches. About 20% of the total time will be spent on influence, advocacy, research and internal strategic design related to cash and livelihoods program quality and operations, at the discretion of their supervisors. The Technical Advisor’s specific requirements and responsibilities are as follows:

The position requires a dynamic, self-motivating, driven and forward-thinking personality with experience in working remotely with a broad range of people from very different cultural backgrounds. The remote nature of this position with both the TU team and countries teams that are being supported means that TA need to be excellent in pro-active communication and relationship building. This role is currently fully funded for 1 year, with a possibility of extension dependent on funding availability.

Ensure program quality:

Further the design, implementation, and measurement of high-quality ERD programs, including operational aspects of CVA activities within other sectors (health, education, protection). Ensure that these programs are:

· Aligned with organizational strategy, which includes supporting staff with contextualizing outcomes and theories of change, and selecting interventions based on the best available evidence, the local context analysis and the country program’s Strategic Action Plan.

· Responsive to clients’ needs and preferences, as well as incorporating a strong component of promoting equality, inclusion, and local partnership

· Support assessments on basic needs, food security, livelihoods, labor markets, CVA feasibility, including financial services providers availability.

· Informed by engagement with industry and business partners to strengthen opportunities for labor market integration

· Aligned with IRC’s cash ambitions, including the use of digital payments, strong operational support systems, and alignment of CVA programs with social protection systems.

· Aligned with IRC’s livelihoods ambitions, including workforce development, financial inclusion and labor market integration.

Engaging in business development to support high quality concept notes and proposals by:

· Reviewing technical quality of ERD project proposals and other sectors proposals with CVA and/or livelihoods components

· Inputting into go / no go decisions on proposals and on budgets required for project delivery

· When necessary, writing technical narratives of proposals and provide support on monitoring and evaluation aspects of ERD projects

· Providing input on the design of monitoring plans, including indicator selection

· Engaging with donors, participate to donors’ meetings and do outreach in support of country programs

· Ensuring sound analysis of context, capacity and opportunities to input into country Strategy Action Plans (SAPs)

Building resources for technical sharing to encourage cross-learning and innovation:

· Share cross-context learning globally and across the region, including on IRC organizational outcomes, theories of change, evidence base for interventions and standard indicators

· Review and share program-specific tools, resources (internal and external); and work with Technical Unit specialists, coordinators, and other colleagues to contextualize and adapt global and country-specific materials or to assist with periodic review

· Keep up-to-date with contextual analyses, crisis data, and other sector and country trends related to CVA within the assigned country portfolio

· Establish best practices and develop resources to support replication of economic empowerment models, with emphasis on labor market integration programming

Support/lead ERD strategic projects to improve IRC global cash and livelihoods programming implementation, including operations:

· Work closely with team members on relevant strategic projects centered around improving the IRC’s ability to scale and implement high quality CVA and livelihoods programming

· Cultivate relationships with the supply chain and finance departments in country program portfolio, to inform operational aspects of cash-based programming such as contracting new financial service providers and troubleshooting procurement or payment issues.

· Support the rollout of IRC’s Global Payment Toolbox and pre-positioned data management platforms

· Build and support local, regional, and global private sector partnerships that promote opportunities for employment and career advancement for clients

The TA will undertake other special projects and tasks as needed within the realm of their expertise and within the TU’s function.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director, Cash & Emergencies; with management in partnership with the Senior Technical Advisor for Livelihoods Programs

Other Internal and/or external contacts: Close coordination and collaboration with ERD coordinators and Deputy Directors for Programming in Poland and Ukraine, members from the ERD TU team; Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) Economic Empowerment Team; and other Technical Units

Job Requirements:

Education: A degree in humanitarian affairs, economics, business administration or relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Participate in ongoing training courses and share knowledge and skill sets within the unit.

Work Experience:

· A minimum of 7years optimally implementing and/or managing economic emergency and development programming, including cash-based programs, in diverse crisis or post-crisis field settings

· Experience providing technical support and guidance to a diverse team towards strategic goals, including an ability to oversee staff in cross-cultural settings and at a distance

· Experience in design and monitoring and evaluation of CVA, livelihoods, and economic development program activities as well as technical tools and materials development

· Experience navigating financial systems, familiar with supply chain procedures

· Experience in women and/or youth-focused livelihoods programming considered a plus

· Experience aligning CVA with social protections systems highly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Proficiencies:

· Knowledge of global trends in economic recovery and development, including cash-based interventions

· Experience navigating the humanitarian architecture, including cash and livelihoods working groups (country and regional) and global models for program delivery

· Demonstrated assessment, data collection and analysis skills, including needs assessments, market assessments and incorporation of gender, age, and disability analysis into assessments.

· Knowledge of guidelines and compliance regulations of institutional donors

· Proven track record in developing funding proposals and reports for a range of institutional and other donors

· Demonstrated ability to work across functions and sectors to build strong working relationships with colleagues, and external partners

· Strong program/technical, project design, proposal development and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation skills

· Strong project planning, budget management, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation and learning skills

· Flexibility to work adjusted hours, as appropriate to accommodate for different time zones

· Proficiency in working productively and proactively under remote team and management structures

· Proficiency with Windows-based software, knowledge management tools, remote training and engagement tools, and familiarity with mobile monitoring tools

· Demonstrated dedication to a Do No Harm approach, gender equality, and inclusion.

· Excellent social skills involving listening to, interacting with, and communicating clearly with people from diverse nationalities and backgrounds, and senior level internal and external partners, with a high degree of integrity

· Strong analytical and conceptual skills, with the ability to think and plan strategically

· A proven understanding of broader ERD programming e.g. resilience building, gender-sensitive rural livelihoods, climate resilient agriculture, employment and entrepreneurship promotion and VSLA.

Language Skills: Fluency in English required; preference given to Russian, Polish, and/or Ukrainian language skills.

Working Environment: Up to 40% travel is expected to Poland and Ukraine, Covid-19 restrictions permitting.

STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

We offer benefits that help promote an empowering work environment, including parental leave, medical insurance, counseling services, gender-sensitive security protocols, and more.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Language preference and/or interpretation to interview for the role can be made available upon request for the IRC’s working languages (Spanish, French, Arabic, English).

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

How to apply

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/31397?c=rescue