Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) – Technical Specialist

About the Role

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is on a mission to provide vital support to refugees and host communities in Uganda through its Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) program. As a CVA Technical Specialist, you will be instrumental in designing and implementing cash-based interventions that address urgent needs while safeguarding the dignity and rights of beneficiaries. This role is crucial in ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of aid delivery, aligning with local protection systems. In your first few months, you will collaborate with various stakeholders, including local partners and government agencies, to establish efficient cash transfer mechanisms and engage with affected communities to gather insights on their needs.

Key Responsibilities

• You will design and implement CVA strategies that adhere to vulnerability-based targeting and cash-first principles, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.
• Coordinating with consortium partners will be essential to ensure the seamless delivery of multipurpose cash transfers linked to protection and referral systems, fostering a collaborative approach to humanitarian aid.
• Your role will involve monitoring and evaluating CVA interventions, assessing their impact, efficiency, and accountability to the populations they serve, thereby improving future programming.
• Providing technical guidance on various cash transfer modalities, including digital payments and vouchers, will be crucial in adapting to the evolving landscape of humanitarian assistance.
• Integrating community-informed accountability mechanisms into all CVA activities will ensure that beneficiaries have a voice in the aid they receive, promoting transparency and trust.
• Supporting the progressive transfer of leadership to local refugee-led organizations and host community groups will enhance sustainability and local ownership of the programs.
• You will conduct regular risk assessments and safeguarding checks to prevent exploitation and abuse within cash programs, ensuring the safety and dignity of beneficiaries.
• Collaborating with protection, nutrition, and health teams will link cash assistance with essential referral pathways, creating a holistic support system for affected individuals.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in development studies, public administration, economics, social sciences, or a related field is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian assistance.
• At least three years of professional experience in cash and voucher assistance, humanitarian aid, or social protection programs in Uganda or similar contexts is required to effectively navigate the local landscape.
• A strong understanding of Uganda’s refugee response framework, including the Refugee Act 2006 and national social protection systems, will be vital in ensuring compliance and effective programming.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and at least one local Ugandan language, such as Luganda, are necessary for effective engagement with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with cash transfer monitoring tools or digital payment platforms will enhance your capacity to manage and evaluate interventions.

What You’ll Gain

• This role offers the opportunity to deepen your expertise in cash and voucher assistance within a dynamic humanitarian context, significantly enhancing your professional profile.
• You will develop strong collaboration skills by working alongside local partners and government agencies, which is essential for career advancement in the humanitarian sector.
• Engagement in impactful projects that directly improve the lives of refugees and vulnerable populations will provide you with a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose.
• As you navigate the complexities of cash programming, you will build a robust skill set in monitoring, evaluation, and accountability, which is highly valued in the development field.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of refugees and host communities, we encourage you to apply for this meaningful position. For more details on how to submit your application, please visit our job portal: Apply here.