Regional Cash & Market Specialist

Do you want to work with people affected by conflict and help design and implement innovative market-based interventions to support their emergency needs and long-term economic recovery?

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The Regional Cash & Market Specialist (Urban) supports NAME (Near and Middle East) delegations in the adoption of market-based programming, including cash and voucher assistance, market support and value-chain interventions, focusing on urban areas. You share your cash and market expertise via short assignments and remote coaching to delegations. You build the institutional understanding of war economy and its impact on people affected and ensure collaboration with other departments to build sustainable humanitarian impact. You interact closely with technical reference in the Economic Security (EcoSec) unit in Geneva (GVA), as well as the regional team and other relevant teams in delegations and in GVA (teams from Institutional Cash, Protection, Policy, Legal etc)

The Cash & Market specialist is based in Amman and covers Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel and the occupied territories, Jordan and Egypt, as well as Libya.

The position is part of the EcoSec team, but supports cash and voucher assistance activities across all Protection and Assistance business functions as required.

For more information on ICRC’s cash & markets work: https://shop.icrc.org/cash-and-voucher-assistance-economic-security-prin…

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Operational Support (Field & Desk Support): Provides remote and short-term mission support to delegations for designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating urban related programs; including support to adopting market-based programming. In particular, continual support to the Iraq and Libya durable returns programs, and Mafraq market-based program.
• Capacity building of delegation staff: With Geneva (GVA) Cash & Market Specialist, design and deliver trainings on market-based programming (with an emphasis on on-line delivery) and produce tools and guidelines.
• Integrates urban guidance tools into market-based programming support. In particular, promoting the importance of identifying urban communities and maintaining community consultation; networking with municipal authorities and private sector actors; and encouraging partnerships.
• Provides Covid-19 recovery advice to delegations relevant to market-based programming.
• Establishes a good working relationship with the other NAME Regional Resource Network team members. In particular, collaborates with the Accountability to
• Affected Populations Advisor in regard to promoting community consultation standard methodologies.
• As part of delegation support, provides economic analysis, for example, how to design hyper-inflation appropriate interventions in Lebanon and Syria.
• With NAME Regional PCP (Protection of the Civilian Population) Advisor and EcoSec Analysis & Evidence Specialist, uses information derived from market-based programming and networking to contribute to the institutional understanding of the war economy, and how market systems are adapting to protracted conflict. Provides recommendations on appropriate program strategies to mitigate against unintended consequences.
• Regional Networking: Stay ahead of and reports on global and regional trends and cross-cutting themes in urban and market-based programming; represents the institution in relevant forums; and develops and sustains a network of key interlocutors. Explores opportunities for collaboration on market-based programming with Movement partners. Special attention will be paid to establishing relationships with private sector actors and (municipal) authorities.
• Follows and contributes to the development of institutional urban policies.

Additional duties

• Fulfils reporting requirements as directed by the Head of Regional Affairs NAME.
• Sits in the regional surge mechanism which may require temporarily filling a position in a NAME delegation.
• Follows up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments
• Is aware of the Institutional Strategies and ensures alignment of activities with overarching objectives.
• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development.

Desired profile and skills

• Master-level or above preferably in development economics, political science, international affairs or business administration, or equivalent experience in another field. At least 8 years professional experience, with 4 to 5 years in a similar position
• ICRC and RCRC Movement experience an asset
• Experience working in urban contexts an asset.
• Excellent communicator, proven networking skills and ability to conduct system analysis
• Computer proficiency
• Willingness to assume both advisory and implementation work
• Proven track record to conduct trainings targeting audiences with different levels of expertise, and on the job coaching
• Proficient in the English language. Arabic language skills a strong asset. French language skills also an asset
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently throughout the year (60 to 70%)
• Proven ability to represent the ICRC

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 6 months

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment. Your office will be in Amman
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Length of assignment: 24 months. Starting date March 1st, 2021 (working from home) & on site in Amman from May 1st 2021 onwards.
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere to experience different contexts, fields and challenges!
• Deadline for application: December 27th, 2020

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. The ICRC values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment.