Emergency Programme Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reinforced its presence in Ukraine by signing an agreement with the Government to set up a Project Office that will facilitate and expand the provision of technical and humanitarian assistance to the country's most vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas.

Ukraine joined FAO in 2003 and since 2015 the Organization has been operating in two strategic directions: emergency humanitarian response in conflict-affected oblasts and agricultural development across the whole country. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, FAO has scaled up its activities in the country to support agricultural production and food systems with the aim of protecting the food security of vulnerable households and communities across Ukraine.

This role is based full-time, in Kyiv's office.

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

FAO has a "zero-tolerance" policy towards any form of SEA and for inaction on SEA by its personnel and by the employees of entities working with or providing services to the Organization across all programmes, projects, and activities.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Designated Responsible Officer (DRO)/Head of Office, and the direct supervision of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer. The incumbent will supervise three Cash and Voucher team members.

Technical Focus

The Emergency Programme Specialist (CVA) will lead the Cash and Voucher Team, ensuring the collection, analysis, and sharing of data and information across the emergency and early recovery projects to enable evidence-based strategic decision-making in compliance with FAO standards. The role encompasses providing technical guidance, capacity building and strategy and project proposal development for effective emergency and early recovery response. In close coordination with the Assessment Research and Meal unit (ARM), Procurement, Operations, the Food Security Cluster under the day-to-day guidance of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer, the incumbent will:  

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Lead the CVA team and provide strategic, programming, technical and operational support and backstopping to the development, timely implementation and monitoring-evaluation of FAO Ukraine's' projects and programmes involving the use of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), ensuring high operational standards and compliance with FAO rules and regulations.

•    Lead and oversee all data-related activities of the Cash and Voucher team, including the verification, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of relevant emergency programme information products, to support evidence-based decision-making by senior management;  

•    In line with relevant FAO Manual Sections, review and streamline processes related to Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) and support the reconciliation activities.

•    Lead the data verification and compilation to support the risk analysis for the FAOUA's Programme Emergency and Early Recovery team portfolio;

•    Oversee and support the collection of relevant information and data at both internal and external levels, ensuring effective coordination and maximizing information exchange between the Assessment Research and Meal unit (ARM), Procurement, Operations Food Security Cluster and the Emergency and Early Recovery team; 

•    Facilitate technical and operational guidance to FAO field offices implementing emergency and early recovery projects to conduct beneficiary identification exercises based on identified gaps and priorities. This includes developing training materials, delivering technical webinars and seminars, and priding virtual or in-person technical support as needed;  

•    Contribute to the development and implementation of FAOUA's strategy and framework for Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan in close collaboration with the FAOUA Assessment team, to provide timely information on delivery terms of reach, outputs, outcomes and impacts;  

•    Support programme learning cycle within the FAOUA Emergency and Early Recovery portfolio by utilizing findings from post-distribution monitoring (PDMs) and needs assessments, and contribute to their use and dissemination to project managers and technical staff;

•    Support preparation of concept notes, submissions for call for applications and writing of project proposals for the FAOUA Emergency and Early Recovery portfolio;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Economics, Political Science, Statistics, Social Sciences or any other field related to the organisations' activities; Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.

•    5 years of relevant experience in Programme, Data Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation in the humanitarian and development field. 

•    Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus

•    Teamwork

•    Communication

•    Building Effective Relationships

•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze and interpret information and draw out the key messages;

•    Experience with IDEA (Identification, Delivery and Empowerment Application) System. 

•    Relevant skills and professional experience preferably in programme, analysis, reporting in humanitarian work, including in data processing, analysis and report writing;

•    Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to clearly articulate insights to internal and external stakeholders;

•    Basic knowledge of FAO organizational policy and procedures related to programme, IM and emergency procedures;

•    Good knowledge of using and programming questionnaires in Open data kits (in particular Kobo toolbox);

•    Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook) and visualization tools (Power Bi, tableau, etc);

•    Experience and ability to perform in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary context.

•    Solid knowledge of humanitarian CVA programming and operational landscape and latest developments.