Eligible Applicants:
This position is advertised to Group 1, Group 2 and external applicants.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Persons interested in applying for this position must be Panamanian Nationals or must be legally present in Panama at the time of application, recruitment and appointment.
Operational Context
Cash-based interventions and in-kind assistance are the principal modalities for delivering assistance and services. CBIs are intended to provide refugees, asylum-seekers, returnees, internally displaced and stateless people greater dignity of choice in how to meet their needs. Designed and delivered appropriately, CBIs can reduce protection risks, facilitate solutions and improve efficiency and effectiveness in programme delivery. They can also contribute to the local economy and foster positive relations with host communities. UNHCR’s vision is that refugees and other people of concern to it can meet their needs in dignity, are protected and can transition to solutions through the expanded use of innovative, efficient and effective cash-based interventions.
Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) Associate will be a member of the UNHCR Multi Country Office (MCO), based in Panama and will support the strategic and coherent use of CBIs in the region, assisting to ensure that CBI is maximized in assistance and service provision, including linkages with Social Protection and Financial Inclusion. He/she will support the development of cash assistance programmes and support the senior management to ensure that CBI is fully, effectively integrated into the country operations plan for protection and solutions. The successful candidate will provide technical support on planning and assist in policy making on activities within the area of CBIs as an integral part of UNHCR programmes including assessments, planning and budgeting, technical choices, legal and regulatory aspects, implementation modalities and coordination. The CBI Associate will work closely with colleagues within the Office in the Multifunctional Team (MFT) to increase the use of CBI in education, shelter, livelihoods and other interventions, as well as support the establishment of a sound monitoring process and fulfil the reporting requirements.
Among others, the incumbent will be accountable for the following key results:
- Planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of CBI in the countries covered under area of responsibility (AoR) are properly supported, in line with relevant global and regional strategies, policies, guidelines, procedures, and according to agreed deadlines.
- Information and data concerning CBI implementation in the region are effectively collected and managed using corporate and regional tools, organized and shared; information and support is provided to Programme Officer to timely address issues of concern.
- Field needs, requests and concerns are addressed in a timely and efficient manner.
Other responsibilities, in addition to the standards of the position, include: - Request, compile, review and analyze CBI-related information and reports received from the field
- Provide support and guidance to field Operations on CBI assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting, in close coordination with relevant CBI MFT Units of the Bureau **
Position Competencies:
All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below:
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Not specified.
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Technological Awareness
Planning and Organizing
Duties and Qualifications:
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The CBI (Cash-Based Interventions) Associate is supervised by a professional staff member who provides the incumbent with general guidance and workplans. The incumbent works quite independently with an oversight from the supervisor and may directly supervise some support staff.
Contacts are mainly with the colleagues in the same duty station to exchange information and to discuss the work plans. External contacts are with the national and local authorities for gathering and exchange of data.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Manage the use, maintenance and technical support of databases used in the cash-based interventions.
- Generate statistical reports based on the standard reporting formats and ad-hoc reports, charts and tables as required by the management.
- Prepare and administer accurate lists of beneficiaries for the regular assistance through bank ATM/IRIS system in line with the procedures established by the office.
- Assist in developing and administering UNHCR Regular CBI database.
- Assist in the monthly reconciliation and refund process for the cash assistance project.
- Assist in preparing detailed reports and breakdown of the cash assistance provided to the refugees.
- Cross-check databases to ensure that all beneficiaries are active cases.
- Keep cash lists updated and free of duplications and ensure delivery of cash assistance to beneficiaries in a timely manner.
- Maintain relationships with partners to facilitate the flow of information between databases,
- Assist with the training of internal staff and partners on how to use the database,
- Execute best practice in data protection standards and help to positively influence others,
- Troubleshoot issues with the database and work with internal teams to provide technical fixes,
- Inform and act on the reports and messages that are received from various units on different vulnerable cases in respect to financial assistance.
- Support in the co-ordination with different partners and focal points on lists of beneficiaries reflecting situation of cash assistance.
- Undertake missions and field visits to bank service provider to monitor the cash project.
- Represent UNHCR at the cash-assistance related meetings.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders and partners.
- Develop improvements to the database and related workflows.
- Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
Information Technology, Database Management, Computer Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Previous data management experience, preferable in CBI context.
Excellent knowledge of computer software and database applications.
Experience in Microsoft SQL Server (2005 or later).
Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR programmes and activities.
Experience in cash-based interventions, particularly in a refugee response context.
Working experience in C# and ASP.net.
Working experience with statistical software such as R, Python, Stata etc.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
DM-Database Management
EC-Statistical and modelling software
UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies
IT-Microsoft Server Technology
CB-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Language Requirements:
Please note that fluency in English and Spanish is essential for this job opening.
Additional Information
Please note that this position is offered under one year Fixed-term appointment. Extension is subject to operational needs, budget and performance.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified, and might be requested to sit a test. No late applications will be accepted.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
How to apply
We only accept applications submitted through the MSRP portal for this job opening: https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html. For easiest reference you can filter by location: Americas / Country: Panama and you will see the details of the vacancy. Job Opening 31462.
Closing Date:
The closing date for submission of applications is 25/11/2021 (Midnight Geneva time).