Job Description

WFP defines Social Protection as a broad set of arrangements and instruments designed to protect members of society from shocks and stresses over the lifecycle. WFP’s approach to safety nets is two-fold: (i) focusing on direct assistance to vulnerable populations; and (ii) supporting the Government of Somalia and Somaliland to implement a Shock-responsive Safety Net for Human Capital Project (SNHCP/Baxnaano) and gradual capacity transfer to the government. WFP works with a range of actors to deliver efficient, effective, and equitable assistance, including through provision of quality assessments that compile evidence-based analysis to inform policy, programme and initiatives at the national, state/regional and district levels.
 

Since 2019, WFP Somalia has been involved in the Social Protection and Safety Nets agenda through the provision of data, analysis, and technical engagement, supported the crafting of a national cash transfer programme (SNHCP/Baxnaano) that seeks to provide predictable cash transfers to 1.2 million people across Somalia and Somaliland while putting in place key building blocks of a national shock-responsive cash transfer programme. The SNHCP platform is now very well established and has demonstrated the agility to expand both vertically and horizontally to deliver time-bound crises response to reduce the adverse impacts of crisis. Through the operationalization of the shock-responsive feature of SNHCP/Baxnaano programme, the platform has thus far responded to two rounds of locust shocks, and it is currently being used to respond to the protracted drought situation resulting from consecutive poor rainfall seasons. 
 

The drought shock-responsive project activities will respond to the threat of the emerging calamities through humanitarian interventions to the affected households, especially subsistence farmers and pastoralists, from falling into deeper food insecurity, as well as preventing the sale/loss of their productive assets through the provision of emergency cash transfers. 
 

The implementation of the project will benefit from the delivery system and procedures established under the ongoing Safety Net for Human Capital project (SNHCP) that WFP started implementing in Somaliland in 2020. 
 

Against this backdrop, WFP Somalia is seeking to fill the position of Programme Assistant at SC5 level for the shock-responsive Safety Net programme. The position reports to the Programme Policy Officer in charge of resilience-building activities under the overall supervision of Head of Programme at Somaliland Area Office, Hargeisa.
 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer and overall supervision of the Head of Programme, the Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: 

• Ensure that the shock-responsive programme geographical and beneficiary targeting criteria is discussed with all stakeholders and is adhered to during the selection processes. 

• Follow up with partners to ensure that the set targets for the shock-responsive programme are achieved within the set timelines. 

• Provide registration support to partners and provide on-the-job training whenever needed. 

• Crosscheck the SCOPE registration data by CPs to ensure it is in line with the Safety Net established data requirements before enrolment in SCOPE. Follow up with the Cooperating Partners (CPs) where necessary to make any corrections in SCOPE, accordingly. 

• Enrol the selected/registered households’ data into SCOPE shock-responsive “cash” interventions. 

• Share the enrolled data with Transfer Management Team (TMT) focal point for deduplication analysis, further data quality checks and validation of phone numbers. 

• Share TMT feedback with partners and guide them accordingly to make any revisions for uncleared households (HHs) as advised by TMT. Follow up with partners to ensure that these revisions are done in a timely manner.

• Suspend from the SCOPE cash intervention, any HH which is not cleared by TMT due to not meeting all data requirements for the Shock-responsive programme.

• Receive from TMT focal point, phone number validation results for the cleared HHs, and share with partners those who are validated, for SIM card equipping.

• Coordinate with partners and Financial Service Provider (FSP) at field level to ensure that the Households (HHs) in need of SIM card equipping are supported promptly as per the agreed shock-responsive programme timeline.

• Keep records of all SIM card equipping and share with the Country Office (CO) Social Protection Unit and TMT focal points, on a weekly basis.

• Create Distribution Lists in SCOPE for the enrolled HHs, as guided by TMT focal point. Follow up with all necessary Units at AO level to ensure Payment Lists are approved in a timely manner as per the shock-responsive programme transfer timelines

• Receive the transfer reports from TMT focal point and share with CPs accordingly. Follow up for any needed resolutions, such as beneficiaries with ‘locked’ accounts to facilitate 100% success for all the transfers.

• Perform accurate and timely recording of data for shock-responsive programme, and update AO management and the Social Protection Unit, accordingly.

• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of timely project progress report and other relevant information products for internal or external use.

• Participate in weekly meetings with CPs and Social Protection Units to provide updates and discuss any challenges plus possible solutions and agree on the way forward.

• Act as the alternate focal point for the Safety Net for Human Capital Project (SNHCP) in the absence of the immediate focal point.

• Participate in other relevant meetings and activities for Programme Unit at the AO level.

• Perform any other duties as requested by supervisor.

Skills and Qualifications

Education: Completion of Secondary School Education. A Post-secondary school certificate in the following fields is desirable: Development Studies, International Affairs, Economics, Social Sciences, or any other field relevant to international development assistance.

Experience: 

• Minimum of two (02) years’ experience in programme implementation and monitoring

• Proven experience and ability to work under pressure and independently on technical matters with minimum supervision

• Experience in Safety Net programming is desirable

• Knowledge and experience of the use of SCOPE is desirable

• Understanding of Cash based Programme in humanitarian context

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali required

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of specialised common business practices and methods, gained through relevant technical training and experience.

• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a range of individuals to provide a high-quality support service.

• Ability to carry out basic data analysis and independently rectify problems requiring attention.

• Ability to monitor and record financial transactions.

• Good communication skills required to give and receive information and work with a variety of individuals.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Good attention to detail to identify data discrepancies.

• Ability to work to deadlines and follow clear instructions

• Good understanding of Somaliland context, challenges, and opportunities 

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

This section is optional to describe additional responsibilities & knowledge required for the specific job.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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Contract duration: 12 months (initial)

How to apply

APPLICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit online applications through E-Recruitment. 

Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be disregarded. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: 6 December 2022

WFP does not charge any application fees to candidates

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

OfficeHargeisa