Cash-based Transfer Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

· advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
· provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
· assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
· position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
· ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position will be assigned in Isabela Province, with field missions within Isabela Province and Cagayan Province.

Reporting Lines

The Cash-based Transfer Specialist will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in the Philippines and in close collaboration with the Project Team Coordinator, Programme Management Specialist (PMU) and Community Resilience and Emergency Response Adviser.

Technical Focus

The Cash-based Transfer Specialist will provide technical leadership in the design, implementation, coordination and monitoring of cash-based transfer interventions to support food security, livelihood recovery and resilience of vulnerable farming and fishing households. The role will focus on appropriate cash transfer modalities, beneficiary targeting, transfer value and frequency, delivery mechanisms, risk mitigation, accountability to affected populations, and post-distribution monitoring. The Specialist will work closely with government counterparts, local partners, service providers and humanitarian coordination mechanisms to ensure that cash assistance is timely, inclusive, transparent and aligned with FAO standards and project objectives.

Tasks and responsibilities

· Assist the project team in planning, coordination and execution of cash-based transfer activities (e.g. Unconditional Cash Transfer, Conditional Cash, Cash for Work, etc.);
· Provide technical support to local partners and humanitarian actors for field data collection within the cash-based needs assessment;
· Develop the necessary guidelines and cash transfer plans for all cash-based transfer activities;
· Facilitate discussions with government partners such as Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) among others, and local government units (LGUs) in leveraging resources and systems to implement cash interventions;
· Lead the development of modality of collaboration (i.e. Memorandum of Understanding/Memorandum of Agreement, Letter of Agreement, etc.) with all partners to be involved in the cash-based transfer activities;
· Provide recommendations to enhance cash-based interventions during various phases of the project cycle including among others identification and selection of beneficiaries in need of food security and livelihood assistance, and value of cash transfer and frequency;
· Participate in existing cash coordination groups/structure (e.g. Cash Working Group, WASH, FSN, etc.) and liaise with key stakeholders (Government and humanitarian actors) to ensure complementation with other clusters/interventions;
· Support capacity-building activities, such as Learning and Knowledge exchange and dialogue for FAO staff and partners, particularly DA and LGUs;
· Provide timely reporting on the progress and/or bottlenecks of cash-based interventions with recommendations to improve implementation;
· Support the conduct of a post-distribution monitoring of cash utilization for the project;
· Support communication on cash transfers related activities through tailored products and different means including web, photo/video, social media, press releases; and
· Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements
· Advanced university degree in the field of Agriculture, Rural Development, Community Development/Organizing, other Sustainable Development related studies.
· At least 5 years of relevant experience in cash-based transfers in agriculture/rural development sectors, programme management and implementation, capacity building, and coordination with national/regional government structures, NGOs and private sector and the UN agencies.
· Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
· A national of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

· Results Focus
· Teamwork
· Communication
· Building Effective Relationships
· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

· Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
· Excellent writing, and report writing skills in English and Filipino.
· Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino.
· General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT