Programme Assistant (Operational CASH-based), GS5, Lebanon Tripoli, post#111726, Temporary Appointment (6 months)

For every child, a champion

UNICEF implemented the only major humanitarian social protection program in Lebanon, the No Lost Generation (NLG)/Min Ila Program serving almost 50 000 Syrian children. The program helped households to invest in the human capital development of children and reduce reliance on negative coping strategies like child labour through the provision of a cash transfer and referrals to complimentary services. In addition, UNICEF monetized in 2018 its 2nd shift transportation programme with the ‘Reaching School’ programme which intended to help households meet the costs of sending their children to school. Finally, UNICEF is piloting the Integrated Child Wellbeing Package, a child-focused humanitarian integrated social assistance programme pursuing the same objectives than its predecessor whilenintroducing a fully integrated approach, a geographically localized method and targeting the very most vulnerable children out of learning and at risk of engaging in harmful activities.   While UNICEF Lebanon Country Office has demonstrated strong commitment to continuing with humanitarian cash programs with this year Reaching School and Cash Based Safety net, at the global, regional and county office levels, UNICEF has been and will seek to continue to be at the forefront of innovative programming in this area.

In addition, UNICEF Lebanon has been instrumental in setting up the Lebanon One Unified Inter-Organizational System for E-Cards (LOUISE), which serves the cash transfer programs of all UN agencies and NGOs delivering cash and will continue with its commitment to the development and improvement of the joint system.

Purpose for the job:

Under the general supervision of the supervisor, the Programme Assistant purpose is to manage, in the assigned areas, the joint planning, implementation and management of the UNICEF cash based programmes, mainly the Integrated Child Well Being and Reaching school program, as well as any other cash-based programs UNICEF undertakes. The incumbent should ensure the achievement of the expected results in the areas of intervention, the communication and monitoring of the relevant UNICEF Partners and represent UNICEF in the relevant Inter-Agency sector forums.

The Programme assistant (Operational cash-based) will coordinate and ensure operations on the field are implemented in diligent manner.

The Programme assistant (Operational cash-based) will be fully integrated with the existing UNICEF Team at the Field Office level, and also act as focal points between, WFP Regional Offices, implementation partners, and UNICEF Programme teams to ensure implementation runs smoothly, according to the processes set out in the NLG Operations Manual (OM), under the guidance of the Cash Operational Programme Officer, Cash Programme Specialist (Implementation) and the Education Specialist.

The Programme assistant (Operational cash-based) is responsible for all aspects of implementation of the program in his/her designated Governorate. He/she will also act as a resource person for schools and beneficiaries to raise questions to, and he/she will engage in problem-solving, referring to the national-level Cash Operational Programme Officer, Cash Programme Specialist (Implementation) and the Education Specialist as needed.

How can you make a difference?

Facilitates the technical working relationship with UNICEF partners, UNHCR and WFP in the field, and other UNICEF Field Office staff.

Monitors the work of implementing partners in the field on an ongoing basis.

Provides feedback from the field for improvement of the technical design of the program, based on its changing and emerging needs to the Chief of Field Office and Programme Specialist (Local Governance).

Cover Card and PIN Distribution, Payments, etc. in his/her Governorate for the cash programmes. Represents UNICEF at distribution sites, ensuring visibility of the organization and responding to beneficiaries’ requests and questions at the helpdesk.

Conducts ongoing progress tracking (implementation of core processes of the program as they happen, in order to understand day-to-day performance against implementation targets) and to identify and resolve operational bottlenecks/challenges) at the Governorate level, reporting any bottlenecks or delays to the Programme Specialist (Local Governance), Cash Operational Programme Officer and Education Specialist in a timely manner.

Conducts ongoing operations analysis (analysis of program performance over the medium term in order to identify areas with poor performance, or processes in which all areas are performing below expectations and which therefore represent operational bottlenecks, and identifying solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings or technical support, etc. or track and report best performances and practices) at the Governorate level, reporting any bottlenecks or delays to the Programme Specialist (Local Governance) Cash Operational Programme Officer, and Education Specialist in a timely fashion.

Enters and solve complaints and updates received from beneficiaries into the MIS through the call center or from other agencies daily

Monitors the referrals trends from UNICEF partners through the RIMS system.

Monitors and analyses the activity of the cash programmes all center from a quantitative and qualitative perspective and reports to the Programme Specialist (Local Governance), Cash Operational Programme Officer and Cash Porgramme Specialist.

Provides effective technical support to the cash programmes call center’s agents and conduct regular HACT visits to ensure good understanding of the UNICEF cash programmes along with analyzing the effectiveness of the communication lines put in place.

Highlights and reports challenges and bottlenecks faced by the cash programmes call center operators and support the Cash Operational Programme Officer in finding practical and pragmatic solutions for improvement.

Attends relevant sector working group meetings at the Regional level and provide updates to the Programme Specialist (Local Governance)  and the Cash Operational Programme Officer regularly.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Secondary education is required, supplemented by university courses in Business Administration or any other related field.

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible related experience is required.

At least 2 years’ experience working in the direct implementation of medium-scale (10 000+ beneficiaries) poverty reduction programs based around a regular operational cycle is required.

Previous experience working closely with a government ministry or agency is preferred.

Experience in cash programming is an asset.

Fluency in Arabic and English is required. Any additional UN language is considered an asset.

Additional Requirements:

Ability to manage multiple tasks using a project management approach in a rapidly changing environment.

Highly motivated, with strong initiative and good judgement.

Strong inter-personal and communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of people.

Technical skills in Data base management.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are:

Core Values

Commitment

Diversity and inclusion

Integrity

Core competencies

Communication (I)

Working with people (II)

Drive for results (I)

Functional Competencies:

Analyzing (I)

Learning & Researching (I)

Planning and organizing (I)

Following Instructions and Procedures (I)

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.