Regional Cash and Market Adviser

Background

The NRC Central and West Africa region includes operations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. Most countries are experiencing a deterioration of the security situation, increasing humanitarian needs and displacements due to conflict. Aid workers continue to be affected by security incidents across the region. Shrinking humanitarian space also places aid workers at a greater risk. The expansion of areas controlled by NSAG and challenged application of International Humanitarian Law by state security forces contributes to risks faced by communities as well as NRC’s staff. At the same time, there are areas where local integration and return are possible, and NRC is engaged in programmes to support self-reliance and displacement solutions.

Located in Dakar, Senegal, the Central and West Africa Regional Office (CWARO) oversees the country programmes in the region, and provides strategic guidance and oversight across core programme, advocacy and support functions.

NRC’s programmes and advocacy support families affected by conflict in – Education, Livelihoods and Food Security, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Protection from Violence, Shelter and Settlements, and WASH. The Regional Programme Department, based in Dakar and managed by the Regional Programme Director, is responsible for the strategic development of NRC programming in the region by maximizing the support to and the development of Country Offices (COs) as well as by exploring and creating synergies among COs. The Regional Programme Department is focused on guidance and procedures, evidence and learning, capacity building, programme quality, and donor relations.

Role and responsibilities

The Regional Cash & Markets Adviser is a new position which has been established to support NRC operations in the CWA region in the development of Cash and Markets approaches as an emerging part of programme development and delivery at NRC.

The purpose of the Regional Cash & Markets Adviser position is to provide technical support on cash-based programming (40%) and market assessment, analysis and linkages (60%) to the seven countries in the region. Technical support will include the development and standardisation of guidelines. The Regional Cash & Markets Advisor will also provide support to project and programme planning, implementation, proposal development, monitoring, evaluation, capturing evidence, introducing innovations, and capacity building, in line with the regional strategy and the respective country strategies. This will be fulfilled through the following:

Policy and strategy and programme development

• Responsible for ensuring compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures in relation to Cash and Markets approaches while contributing to the further development of regional policies, strategies, tools, and new approaches with a focus on innovation and piloting. This is notably done through regular field visits.
• Contribute to the development of country/regional and core competency strategies and implementation plans, and the embedding of relevant Cash and Market priorities within each.
• Contribute to the resource mobilization and fundraising for regional programme development related to Cash and Markets.

Technical development, support and capacity building

• Responsible for providing strategic advice, technical support and capacity building support to the Country Offices in the region on Cash & Markets or cross-cutting issues, across Country Offices in the region and the Regional Office.
• Ensure that Markets-based programming approaches (including cash and voucher assistance (CVA)) contributes to integrated programming and analysis and that these interventions are measured.
• Contribute to the NRC global development of Cash & Markets, through collaboration with the NRC Global Development Lead on this thematic area, and by sharing learning and expertise with the HO level and other Regions.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of inductions and training provision of CO staff in relation to Cash and Markets and contribute to recruitment interviews for technical staff. May provide some technical supervision to technical staff in Country Offices.

Quality standards, data analysis and M&E

• Responsible for ensuring that effective documentation, operational research, and capturing of best practices within markets-based approaches (including CVA) are identified, documented and disseminated both internally and with other key actors across all countries in the region and globally & support the CVA learning agenda for the region.
• Work in partnership with the M&E staff to ensure the alignment of the programmatic areas in the M&E and PCM systems in relation to own thematic area.

Networking, representation and relationships

• Responsible for identification, development and maintenance of relationships with relevant stakeholders related to NRC’s Cash and Market activities including but not limited to national and regional Cash Working Groups.
• Work in partnership with the regional and country offices advocacy leads to identify and develop regional advocacy issues related to the thematic area and relevant cross-cutting issues.

What we look for

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in designing, implementing and managing a range of market-based approach programmes including cash and voucher assistance projects, market strengthening/ support and market change interventions, income generation and similar related interventions throughout the project cycle, especially in refugee/ IDP/ displacement contexts.
• Significant expertise in the application of market-based approaches (including CVA) across NRC’s core competencies is very desirable.
• Senior level Livelihoods, Economic Security or similar programme and/or technical supervision experience (ideally in the Central and West Africa region)
• Knowledge of and experience of using relevant market assessment tools and methodologies – EMMA, PCMA, RAM etc, as well as value chain analysis and labour market assessments.
• Advanced understanding and experience on programme monitoring and evaluation issues. Ability to design M&E tools relevant to cash and markets focused interventions and roll them out to the technical and M&E teams.
• Experience in leading multi-sectoral assessment teams and providing technical guidance on analysis of the data collected, for programme design and adjustment.
• High level of communication, interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills
• Good understanding and programmatic experience on various cross cutting issues such as gender, protection and environment
• Ability to write high quality concept notes and technical sections for donor proposals
• Ability to work closely with field based national staff and experience in various staff training and development approaches
• Fluency both in French and English is mandatory for the position

Context/Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• • Knowledge of the contexts in Central and West Africa countries – Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts – Experience with project development, especially from an emergency and post-emergency phases – Experience in working on resilience programming – Experience working with various donors and conversant with their technical frameworks and strategies (eg. UNHCR, UNICEF, FCDO, SIDA, ECHO, EU, BHA, etc.) – Experience in capacity building and trainings delivery – Experience with coordination mechanisms (cluster and sectorial)

Behavioural competencies

• • Strategic Thinking – Handling insecure environments – Communicating with impact and respect – Initiating action and change – Managing performance and development

More info about the role here.

What We Offer

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

• 18 months contract
• Grade 9 on NRC salary scale
• Location: Dakar, Senegal with some travels involved
• Family accompanied status
• An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
• A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

Deadline to apply: 2/12/2022