Work Description – General

Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) are a dignified form of assistance, giving recipients the ability to immediately prioritize and address their specific needs such as food, shelter/accommodation, medication, livelihoods and other necessities. CBIs also directly complement community protection measures and support the local economy and can contribute to peaceful coexistence within and across communities as the funds distributed are used in local markets. In Afghanistan, UNHCR has a long history of delivering Cash-Based assistance to populations of concern in furtherance of the organization’s protection, assistance, and solutions strategies. Presently, the operation delivers multiple types of CBIs including Cash for Protection, Cash for Shelter Construction, Repairs or Rent, Cash for Basic Needs, Cash for Repatriation, Cash for Reintegration, Cash for Livelihoods, Cash for Energy and Cash for Food among others. UNHCR adopts a whole-of-community approach and as such Cash-Based interventions are directed to a cross-section of the community including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, and members of the host community.

The incumbent is a member of the program section in a UNHCR (field) office, supervised by the Associate Programme Officer. His/her work covers all CBI related aspects at the (field) office level, from the assessments to the cash distributions to the monitoring of CBIs. The incumbent is the UNHCR CBI person to refer to in the area covered by the office and ensures that CBIs are compliant with the technical guidance and objectives. S/he specifically supports the identification of new interventions, organizes and implements assessments, oversees the CBI partner’s activities, liaises with the local authorities, coordinates locally and monitors the general situation (ex. Markets, security, etc.). The incumbent in liasion with protection and other relevant units also plans and organizes distributions, follow-up budgets and ensures reconciliation, and alerts colleagues of challenges & complaints. S/he works in close coordination with the UNHCR Office in Kabul, under the directions and guidance of the Programme CBI Officer.

The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.

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 and Responsibilities

• 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.