Cash Transfer Specialist at Save The Children

Role Purpose

• Therefore this new position of a cash transfer specialist is a huge bridge towards ensuring evidences and knowledge gathered by the child development programme especially the cash transfer aspect is well shared within the new National social safety net programmes as elaborated above. It’s also an opportunity to provide technical advice to the federal government on ensuring child poverty issues are integrated in all the key social protection schemes already identified by the federal government.
• The cash transfer specialist will provide technical skills on management of cash transfers to over one million beneficiaries across the country and also provide expertise in the design and establishment of the management information system for the project.
• The role will be located in Abuja with frequent support to other states where the federal government is implementing the social safety nets projects

Job Summary

• The role of the cash transfer specialist is to provide technical support to the National social safety nets project (NASSP) in ensuring high quality and timely inputs.
• This entails making sure that the project maintains its strategic vision and that its activities result in the achievement of its intended outputs in a cost effective and timely manner.
• This will involve providing support for the planning, supervision and coordination of cash transfers services to the poorest and most vulnerable households in the country.

Specific Responsibilities
He/she will be responsible for assisting the Project management specifically linked to administration of the cash transfers and livelihoods options. This will include:

• Provide operational support to NCTO and SCTU.
• Technical guidance and support to team on project / activities planning.
• Support the MIS team in the design of a comprehensive MIS that captures and tracks data of up to a million programme beneficiaries for use by the NCTO designated bank and programme reporting purposes.
• Responsible for coordination of cash transfer activities to beneficiaries.
• Technical support and review on payments to beneficiaries.
• Preparation of periodic high level reports on performance.
• Build internal capacity of team.
• Facilitate the coordination of project activities across participating States;
• Track cash transfer performance across project implementation areas to ensure agreed procedures, policies and MOUs.
• Ensure that an effective beneficiary payment monitoring system is in place for achieving prior agreed targets in relation to programme activities, budget allocations and financial expenditures, ensuring that value for money can be effectively demonstrated.
• Identify and effectively manage all key risks related to beneficiary data and payment
• Assess and identify success element of the CT program to strengthen sustainability of the project's results.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the National Coordinator.

Key Relationships:

• The post holder will work directly with the National coordinator NASSCO.
• He/she will have to report to both the National coordinator and also CDGP programme Manager.
• He/she will maintain a close working relationship with the CDGP team particularly the National programme manager and cash transfer manager at national and state level.
• He/she will also liaise frequently with DFID programme supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience
General Skills:

• The post holder will possess a high degree of analytical skill, political acumen, ability to facilitate change, ability to influence, ability to manage a team, and ability to communicate key messages effectively and convincingly to a diverse audience.

Essential:

• A degree in numerate field or ICT
• Minimum of 3 years experience with the government, or donor/multi-lateral development agency projects or social development projects within a large NGO.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in management of social safety nets programmes especially in Nigeria.
• Demonstrates commitment to the vision and values of social safety net programs.
• Exercises strict adherence to regulations and procedures and familiar with internal control frameworks and results based management.
• Accepts responsibility for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.
• Ability to achieve results and meet tight deadlines in an effective manner and maintaining high quality standards throughout;
• In-depth knowledge on MIS, M&E and development issues.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Project, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other relevant management software.
• Good research and analytical skills as well as excellent in reporting writing.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and sensitivity to and responsiveness to all stakeholders.
• Must have the ability to work as a member of a multi professional team
• Demonstrated creativity in problem solving involving multiple stakeholders
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
• Proven ability to manage large, multi-region data collection and analysis systems
• Degree qualification in ICT systems development or significant relevant experience
• Demonstrable experience in managing complex data systems
• Demonstrated ability to creatively address challenges and problems
• Understanding of bank operations and/or retail banking.

Desirable:

• Experience in training facilitation techniques and influencing tactics.
• Prior work experience in Nigeria on cash transfer.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
• Knowledge of the policies, functions, structures and decision-making processes of key national institutions in Nigeria with regard to child poverty.
• Experience working with children will be an added advantage.
• Local language skills.