CVA and FSL Coordinator

ROLE PURPOSE:

Strengthening Save the Children and partner preparedness and contingency planning in East Ukraine while taking a lead role in close coordination with the Multisectoral Programme Manager in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of early recovery FSL response activities. The CVA and FSL Coordinator is responsible for coordinating, consolidating, and ensuring smooth implementation of FSL programs, ensuring that targets are met on time, within budget, and in compliance with donor requirements.

Additionally, the role holder will support the implementation of rapid response activities, including food distributions, as well as livelihood programs such as business grants and market rehabilitation in newly accessible areas or locations hosting a large number of IDPs/returnees. The staff will contribute to an area-based approach, including integrated planning, implementation, and close coordination with internal teams (such as MEAL, Partnership, and Community Liaison) and external stakeholders (partners and technical working groups).

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

1. Food Security and Livelihoods Support:

• Lead field planning of FSL program work such as assessments, surveys, and evaluations, ensuring findings are documented and address the specific needs of children, adolescents, and youth.

• Participate in the design of FSL response strategies/plans, concept papers, and new proposals in coordination with direct teams and partners.

• Identify FSL program logistics and supply needs and coordinate with logistics staff to implement the procurement plan.

2. Cash and Voucher Assistance:

• Lead the design and implementation of CVA interventions, ensuring they align with the overall strategy and address the specific needs of vulnerable populations.

• Develop and implement cash transfer programs, including multi-purpose cash, vouchers, and other modalities, in line with best practices and donor requirements.

• Ensure the establishment of secure and efficient cash transfer mechanisms, working closely with finance, logistics, and other relevant teams. Keep trackers updated, concise, and accurate.

3. Emergency Preparedness, Coordination, and Response:

• Lead coordination with the PM to scale up new or ongoing response activities for food distribution.

• Coordinate and deliver agreed plans or strategies, ensuring continual review and updating of the Emergency Preparedness and Contingency Plans in collaboration with PMs and HoP.

• Contribute to building staff consensus on the EPP and associated work plans as an ongoing and integrated part of the response office work.

4. Capacity Building and Partner Support

• Contribute to building staff consensus on the EPP and associated work plans as an ongoing and integrated part of the response office work.

• Monitor and analyze early warning indicators and set up an early warning system in operational areas of concern in coordination with relevant sector leads.

• Work with the Programs team to monitor humanitarian trends and evolving scenarios in the operational areas of concern.

5. Project Management and Coordination

• Ensure timely activity implementation according to plan and routine monitoring against agreed indicators, high quality progress and final reports for external and internal use, and strong budget oversight: monthly forecasting and spending according to plan; quarterly revisions, as needed; budget (spending) reporting.

• Management and budget holder of cross-sector emergency response projects, e.g. Multi-Purpose Grants (MPGs), FSL/NFIs, including support and follow-up for implementing partners, ensuring SOPs are followed by partners, ensuring adequate risk mitigation measures are in place, and minimum programme standards are followed.

• Coordination with other actors on implementation of rapid response activities to ensure complementarity, harmonization, and prevention of geographic overlap.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field relevant to Food Security and Livelihoods.

• Certification or specialized training in Cash and Voucher Assistance (e.g., CALP Network certification) is highly preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles, standards, and program cycle management.

• Proven expertise in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) design and implementation, including multi-purpose cash and voucher modalities.

• Solid understanding of Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) programming, including market-based approaches and resilience-building.

• Demonstrated capacity in project planning, monitoring, and reporting, with attention to donor compliance and accountability.

• Skilled in multi-sectoral coordination, integrating FSL and CVA with Child Protection, Education, WASH, Shelter, and NFI sectors.

• Competence in budget management, forecasting, and financial accountability.

• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills, including with local authorities, partners, and communities.

Experience (Required)

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in humanitarian program management, specifically in Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) and Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) in emergency or recovery contexts.

• Proven track record of designing and implementing cash transfer programs, including working with Financial Service Providers (FSPs) and setting up secure distribution mechanisms.

• Experience in implementing early recovery livelihood activities, such as business grants or employment support programs.

• Experience in coordinating with external stakeholders, including local authorities, community leaders, and other humanitarian actors (clusters/working groups).

• Experience in preparing high-quality narrative and statistical reports for donors and internal management.

• Intermediate level of English (written and spoken) is required. The candidate should be able to read technical documents and communicate on basic work-related topics. Fluency in Ukrainian and/or Russian is essential.

Experience (Desirable)

• Prior work experience in East Ukraine or similar contexts dealing with IDPs and returnees.
• Familiarity with the requirements of major humanitarian donors (e.g., BHA, ECHO, UHF) regarding compliance and reporting.
• Proficiency in data collection tools (e.g., KoBo, ODK) and advanced Excel skills for data analysis and tracker management.
• Experience in integrating FSL/CVA with other sectors such as Child Protection, WASH, or Shelter.

Equal Opportunities:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Safeguarding and Respect and Dignity policies.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.