Programme Specialist (Cash Based Assistance) (P-4), Fixed Term Position, #00089256, Global Programme Division, CoE - Amman, Jordan

About the role

The Programme Specialist (Cash‑Based Assistance) is based in Amman, Jordan, within UNICEF’s Global Programme Division (GPD). The position is part of the Global Risk Management Cash Based Assistance Hub under the Poverty Centre of Excellence (CoE) Satellite Team. The role supports the design, implementation and monitoring of cash‑based assistance programmes globally, with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa region, and contributes to strengthening linkages with social protection systems, building country office capacity, supporting risk management, fostering partnerships and promoting effective use of cash‑based assistance modalities in humanitarian and fragile settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational support to country offices in the design, implementation and expansion of cash‑based assistance programmes, both remotely and through field missions.
• Support the delivery of direct cash assistance mechanisms and surge responses in humanitarian contexts, including extensive in‑country mission support when required.
• Coordinate with beneficiary data management, financial management and cash programming teams to ensure aligned and effective support to country offices.
• Build and maintain partnerships with governments, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to strengthen cash transfer programming across the region.
• Develop risk management, monitoring and verification systems that enhance accountability and programme quality.
• Review programme strategies, plans and key documentation to ensure consistent application of cash‑based assistance modalities.
• Generate evidence and knowledge products through data analysis, documentation of lessons learned and identification of best practices to inform global and regional advocacy efforts.
• Represent the Global Cash Hub in inter‑agency coordination forums and support collaboration across humanitarian actors.
• Promote the integration of cash‑based assistance approaches across sectors, including Education, Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, WASH and humanitarian response programmes.
• Support the rollout of capacity‑building initiatives, global guidance, technical notes and standard operating procedures to strengthen organisational and partner capabilities in cash‑based assistance programming.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines.
• Work experience: At least 8 years of relevant professional experience supporting humanitarian response at national and international levels, including a minimum of 6 years dedicated to cash‑based assistance programming in humanitarian settings.
• Skills: Strong expertise in designing, implementing and monitoring cash‑based assistance programmes; ability to provide operational and technical support to country offices through both remote and in‑country engagement; strong coordination and stakeholder‑management skills; proven ability to develop and apply risk‑management, monitoring and verification frameworks; strong analytical and evidence‑generation skills (data collection, analysis, reporting, documentation of lessons learned and best practices); experience designing and delivering capacity‑building initiatives for staff, partners and government counterparts.
• Language requirements: Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable. Another official UN language (Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
• Desirable experience and knowledge: Regional knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; experience providing technical support on cash‑based assistance to governments, UN agencies, NGOs or other partners; programme planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring of cash‑based assistance modalities; experience with beneficiary data management systems; experience developing and implementing risk‑management frameworks for cash‑based assistance programmes; experience working across multidisciplinary teams and functions; previous experience with UNICEF; strong communication, presentation and influencing skills; relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile and humanitarian contexts.

Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self‑awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Breastfeeding breaks
• Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and employment