Senior Roving Cash and Voucher officer

25-April-2024

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger-USA is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. We save the lives of malnourished children and we enable entire communities to be free from hunger. With more than 8,000 staff in over 50 countries, our programs reached 17 million people in 2019.

About the Country Program in Ethiopia

Action Against Hunger has been operational in Ethiopia since 1984 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sectoral strategy where nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience. Action Against Hunger currently operates in 5 different regions (Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) with a portfolio of 20m USD/year of emergency, resilience building, research, and innovation programs. We have a country team of around 600 staff in 17 regional and satellite offices. Our main donors in Ethiopia in 2020/2021 are BHA, ECHO, Europaid, UNHCR, UNICEF, GFFO, BPRM, SIDA, EHF, WFP, CIAA, and others.

This post aims to strengthen the Cash and voucher Assistance (CVA) Programs of the mission, providing technical support for field teams, on Action Against Hunger CVA in different implementation bases. This post works closely with Deputy FSL-HOD, FSL-HOD, Roving Cash and Voucher PM, and FSL program managers at capital and field level. As such, s/he advises on identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of CVA programs, technically support cash & voucher projects specific staff as applicable, and supports the program managers in planning, monitoring, and managing bulk cash transfer activities and helps in the production of internal and external narrative and financial reports.

As direct technical support and focal point to Action Against Hunger’s Cash and Voucher Programs for filed level, s/he will spend approximately 40 % of the time in the field providing technical support.

The Senior Roving Cash and Voucher Officer ‘s role, purpose, engagement, and delivery is:

II.   Purpose 

Under direct supervision of a Food Security and Livelihood-Head of Department, the Senior Roving Cash and Voucher Officer will support implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Action Against Hunger’s all Cash and Voucher Assistance Programs including but not limited to Cash for food assistance, Cash for Nutrition outcomes, Fresh Food Voucher and Multi-purpose Cash Assistance Programs. Together with Roving Cash and Voucher Program Manager, S/he is a technical person responsible to oversee Action Against Hunger’s Cash and voucher Assistance programs across all program operations and bases.  

III. Engagement

• The Senior Roving Cash and Voucher Officer will closely work with other departments in the base and at capital teams.
• Externally, s/he builds relationship with other organizations, local government officials and community leaders in the program implementation area. S/he will participate on monthly national and regional cash working group meetings, AAH is Cash progress updates; engage and lead Cash response related assessments undertaken at National /regional level representing AAH.

IV.   Delivery 

• The Senior Roving Cash and Voucher Officer will support the timely tasks delivery with attention to the quality as per Cash Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).  Organize project execution consistent with program objectives engaging counterparts and building reputation for quality design and reliable delivery in line with donor rules, regulations, and standards.
• The primary delivery of the post will be managing Red Rose Cash delivery platform – including providing training to staffs on Red Rose ONE system; generate reports; process Cash delivery using the system and provide technical guidance while using the system

V.   Essential Job Duties

•  Provide technical assistance and support to all Action Against Hunger’s Cash and voucher Assistance Programs to ensure timely and quality implementation ;
•  In collaboration with local authorities and community representatives, undertake detailed needs assessment, response analysis and design appropriate responses to meet needs and strengthen local capacities at the field level.
• Ensure CVAs are implemented as per standards ( CaLP, Core Humanitarian Standard, MDT, etc.) and Action against Hunger’s SOPs and are in line with recommendation of Cash working groups and ; Comply with donor rules and regulations
•  Ensure Cash SOP are followed during the process of CVA program implementation.
•  Conduct regular visits to cash implementation areas and support field staff with the identification and provide technical solution to system related challenges
• Ensure adequate beneficiary data protection is in place.
• Ensure adequate complaint and feedback mechanisms are in place.
• Ensure and maintain effective coordination between Action Against Hunger country office and field/base offices regarding Cash and voucher Assistance programs
•  Ensure proper coordination among the stakeholders, consortium partners in disbursing the funds to the selected beneficiaries.
•  Ensure financial documents (MBL, Distribution plan, and distribution list, MOU, distribution Checklist) are submitted to the finance team before cash distribution as per the SOP.
• Support proper project documentation and records, including needs assessment questionnaires/data, certificates of vouchers and cash receipts, consolidated list of beneficiaries, photos, case and success stories etc.
• Follow up project implementation and ensure effective and timely execution and completion of the planned activities/interventions.
•  Conduct regular visits to project areas to verify timeliness, transparency, and authenticity of assistance delivered
• Support field team during Beneficiary targeting, registration and Cash distribution
• Assist the team in carrying out market assessments and market analysis report in the implementation areas
•  Support cash distribution and make sure the distribution is conducted according to the SOP.
•  Being with MEAL team and FSL Program Managers, assist Baseline, PDM, monthly market monitoring, and make sure all are conducted and reported timely.  
• Ensure Cash transfer documents are complete and accurately and support staffs use checklists during distribution
• Manage, support and monitor digital Cash delivery platforms ( Red rose) independently
• Provide Capacity building training to project staffs and partners on application and use of digital Cash delivery mechanisms including E-Voucher, Red Rose , mobile money /banking , LMMS, and ; Cash and Voucher Assistance Programs   
• Undertake activities in the absence of the Roving Cash and Voucher PM
•  Represent Action Against Hunger in different CASH related coordination platforms at the national level (ECWG, Regional CWG ) and actively contribute and influence; ensure timely delivery of external reporting requirement at the national level (e.g. 5W)
•   Work with FSL Programs staffs at Capital office  in reviewing monthly Activity Progress Reports, quarterly /annual reports to donors
•  Ensure that reporting deadlines and reporting quality are met
• Contribute to the development and review of all Guidelines, SOPs, and other key program documents in coordination with FSL Programs staffs

VI.    Supervisory Responsibilities

•   N/A

VII.    Gender Equality Commitments  

•  Foster an environment that supports the values of women and men, and equal access to information
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
•  Respect beneficiaries (women, men, children (boys and girls)) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion. race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status
•   Value and respect all cultures.  

Fiscal Responsibility

• Work closely with Program staffs at Capital office in following  and monitoring cash and voucher budgets regularly and ensure the utilization of allocated budget in a timely manner and per Action Against Hunger and donor procedures

Physical Demands

•  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VIII.    Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
• Must be willing to travel to remote program areas mentioned above to support, oversee and supervise Action Against Hunger’s Cash and voucher Programs.
• Must be able to travel regularly for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases. 

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• M.A OR bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study (Economics, Management, Statistics, Sociology, Rural Development, Geography, Agricultural Economics, Development studies and related fields
• Minimum of 8 years proven professional work experience in the field of humanitarian programming particularly in cash and voucher Assistance programs and related emergency cash response projects
• At least Five years with a comparable humanitarian organization in a similar position, preferably in Emergency CVA response is preferable. Knowledge and experience with fulfilling key donor requirements.
• Certificates in Core Cash and Voucher Assistance Skills Training by CaLP

Required Skills & Competencies

• Trained in CaLP basic training – Needs /markets assessment and response analysis; AND certificate in Core Cash and Voucher Assistance Skills training certificate
• Experience in using and managing digital platforms, like LMMS, Red rose, E-Voucher and KOBO tool box
• Practical experience in managing Red Rose Cash delivery mechanism, provide E-Voucher/ Red Rose Cash delivery mechanism and provide technical assistance in execution of the E-voucher Cash delivery approach is an asset And an addition   
• Computer literate in Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft office package
• Excellent communication and report writing in working language
• Good understanding of the humanitarian sector (SPHERE standard, guiding principles, donor compliance, Core Humanitarian Standards etc.)
• Strong communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills (ability to work as part of a team in a multi-cultural team and with different stakeholders.