Cash Program Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview / Summary

• The Cash Program Officer will be responsible for the direct implementation of the IRC Cash Transfer activities across targeted LGAs of implementation in Borno State.
• He/she will support in conducting relevant assessments such as market assessments, cash feasibility studies, baseline and endline assessments, beneficiary registration, beneficiary verification, beneficiary selection, cash disbursement monitoring, post distribution monitoring, community mobilization, stakeholders’ collaboration activities etc.
• Under the Direct supervision of the Cash Program Manager, The Cash Program Officer will be the primary field-level position for planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating cash-based intervention and spends most of his/her time in the field, ensuring that cash assistance is delivered efficiently, transparently, and in accordance with IRC organizational policies and donor requirements, while maintaining accountability to affected populations.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy:
The main objective of the Cash Program Officer position is to efficiently implement cash response across the stipulated locations, including:

• Overseeing the implementation of cash transfer program interventions in assigned field locations, ensuring activities are delivered in line with project objectives and guidelines.
• Actively contribute to all Cash Transfer Program field activities, including community engagement and mobilization, beneficiary targeting and identification, beneficiary registration and verification, cash disbursement, and monitoring.
• Coordinate beneficiary verification and selection with Community-Based Targeting Committees (CBTCs) to ensure the transparent selection of the most vulnerable households using a robust targeting criteria.
• Coordinate cash disbursement procedures, including preparation of beneficiaries list and payment schedules, ensuring all payment process comply with IRCs’ financial and compliance procedures.
• Coordinate with financial service providers to track and monitor cash disbursement processes, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in payment delivery.
• Conduct community sensitization sessions to ensure beneficiaries clearly understand project objectives, vulnerability criteria, and assistance entitlements, promoting transparency and accountability in cash assistance delivery.
• Coordinate activities with local authorities, community leaders, community members, other implementing actors, and partners at the community level.
• Support data entry, cleaning, and analysis related to cash programming, maintaining accurate beneficiary databases and ensuring data protection and confidentiality.
• Contribute to the implementation of MEAL processes, including post-distribution monitoring, complaint and feedback mechanisms in coordination with MEAL team and the Cash Program Manager.
• Contribute to effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use in coordination with the Cash Program Manager.
• Prepare and submit weekly and Monthly activity reports, documenting progress, key achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and success stories.
• Carry out any other duties within the reasonableness of his/her level of skills and experience as may be required by the Cash Program Manager and technical coordinator.

Program Development:

• Contribute to project design, planning, and the development of concept notes and proposals related to cash transfer programming.
• Support the preparation of donor reports as required, ensuring the timely provision of accurate data and information.
• In collaboration with the Cash program manager, develop spending plan, procurement plan and review budgets vs actual frequently to ensure budget tracking.
• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation and submission of all internal reports, weekly reports, work plan including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and special reports.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

Research, Learning and Analysis:
Coordination & Representation:

• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation and submission of all internal reports, weekly reports, work plan including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and special reports.

Job Requirements
Education:

• Region/Global.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years post NYSC experience in Food Security and Livelihoods programming, with strong competency in implementing Cash Transfer programs.
• At least 2 years of experience in Cash Transfer Programming, including the use of e-vouchers and other digital or physical delivery mechanisms within the humanitarian or development context is required.
• Demonstrated experience in beneficiary management processes, including beneficiary registration, targeting and selection, community sensitization and monitoring of cash disbursement.
• Proven experience in conducting Food Security, Livelihoods and cash transfer assessments including market assessments, cash feasibility studies, Post distribution Monitoring, as well as baseline and endline assessments.
• Strong understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences, with the ability to navigate the social, political, and ethical considerations surrounding program implementation.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to effectively plan, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to service in program implementation.
• Demonstrated analytical skills, including experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and report writing.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, subcontractors, partners, financial service providers, and beneficiaries in a respectful and professional manner.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workloads, and deliver results with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and support the capacity development of other field staff and community structures on cash transfer modality.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Ability to promote accountability to affected population (AAP) by ensuring effective beneficiary management processes that safeguard beneficiaries’ rights, and that all clients are treated with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrated capacity to support the planning, coordination, and implementation of project activities at the field level to ensure timely and effective delivery of cash assistance.
• Ability to guide and support field teams including incentive workers, enumerators and community structures to ensure adherence to project guidelines, targeting criteria, and operational procedures.
•  Strong ability to identify operational challenges during project implementation and recommend practical solutions to improve program effectiveness.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with local authorities, community leaders, financial service providers, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of program activities.
• Ability to support project communication and visibility efforts at the field level in line with IRC and donor communication guidelines.

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: Cash Specialist, Supply Chain Officers, Finance Officers, MEAL Officers.

Key External Contacts: 

• Region/Global.

Languages: 

• Fluent in written/spoken English
• Ability to speak local languages including Hausa and Kanuri will be added advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Cash Program Manager
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: ERD Technical Coordinator
• Position directly Supervises: Community Volunteers and Incentive Workers.