Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

Reporting Lines

The National Cash and Voucher Assistance Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi and the direct supervision of the Emergency, Resilience and ECTAD Group Team Leader.

Technical Focus

The National Cash and Voucher Assistance Coordinator will lead the planning, implementation and monitoring of CVA activities in the FAO country office.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Coordinate the timely development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FAO Malawi CVA activities, while ensuring high operational standards and compliance with FAO relevant manual sections, rules and regulations.
•    In collaboration with relevant technical and operational units at FAO Malawi, coordinate CVA-related activities, such as: feasibility analyses; technical and operational clearances; capacity development and training; beneficiary selection and registration; identification, procurement and contracting of implementing partners and financial service providers; Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); transaction reconciliations; complaints and feedback mechanisms; and including by regularly liaising with relevant HQ and regional office divisions, teams and units as relevant.
•    Lead stakeholder engagement processes on the roll-out of CVA in partnership with FAO service providers.
•    Provide technical inputs, in coordination with the Procurement Unit, into the development of Letters of Agreement (LoA) and other contractual arrangements with FAO’s implementing partners and service providers, including Financial Service Providers, where CVA will be used.
•    Provide technical assistance (as needed) to FAO implementing partners on the roll-out of CVA through routine monitoring of partner activities.
•    In coordination with FAO Malawi IDEA Focal Point and the Office of Emergency and Resilience (OER), support the roll-out of the FAO Identification, Delivery, Empowerment Application (IDEA), a digital platform for beneficiary registration, secured management of beneficiaries’ personal data, assistance delivery and tracking, and reporting by the Country Office.
•    Represent FAO Malawi in the Cash Working Group and other relevant CVA-related development and humanitarian partner group meetings and working groups, with a view of building partnerships with key stakeholders and contributing to coordinating the ongoing CVA initiatives.
•    Actively support resource mobilization activities related to CVA.
•    Perform any other activity as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    University degree in management, accounting, economics or related field
•    At least 5 years of demonstrated relevant experience in field level implementation of humanitarian assistance programmes and CVA activities
•    Working knowledge of English
•    Nationality of Malawi

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in CVA for food security and livelihoods in humanitarian responses, preferably with the United Nations or other international or multilateral organizations.
•    Experience and knowledge in data analysis and management and monitoring activities using widely used statistical packages such as SPSS, STATA, MS Excel is an added advantage.
•    Coordination skills (communication) and ability to technically support on CVA needs across different thematic areas.
•    Experience working along the humanitarian-development nexus.
•    Experience working in refugee contexts is an added advantage.
•    Extent and relevance of experience with international or multi-lateral organizations, preferably FAO, and/or with government is an added advantage.
•    Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team, and interpersonal skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
•    Writing and communication skills.
•    Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and to work autonomously.
•    Rigor and demonstrated attention to detail.
•    Quality of both oral and written communication skill.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION