Cash based Assistance Consultant – Asia field support provision to country offices

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting children's rights and well-being globally. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years, working in 190 countries and territories. The organization focuses on various aspects of child welfare, including health, education, nutrition, and protection from violence and exploitation. With a workforce of over 12,000 staff members, UNICEF is funded entirely through voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, making it the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries.

Job Overview:
The Cash based Assistance Consultant will provide technical and operational support to selected UNICEF country offices in Asia, focusing on the implementation of cash-based assistance modalities in fragile and humanitarian contexts. The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNICEF Global Cash Lead and collaborate closely with staff from the Global Cash Hub. The role involves supporting the rollout of the HOPE strategy, conducting field support missions, and ensuring that country offices are prepared to implement cash-based modalities effectively. The consultant will also be responsible for developing risk matrices, standard operating procedures, and monitoring frameworks to enhance the quality and accountability of cash-based assistance programs. This position requires a commitment to improving the lives of children and families in vulnerable situations, particularly in countries like Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include providing operational and technical support through in-country missions and remote assistance, producing mission reports that detail the support provided and recommendations made, and conducting regular quality assurance tasks for selected country offices. The consultant will also support the rollout of the HOPE strategy at the country office level, facilitate capacity-building activities, and contribute to the development of monitoring frameworks and risk registers. Additionally, the consultant will be expected to coordinate with various stakeholders, attend global cash hub meetings, and document best practices and lessons learned from ongoing implementations to inform advocacy strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in economics, social science, database management, data analytics, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with relevant industry certifications and two additional years of work experience may be considered in lieu of a Master's degree. A minimum of 8 years of professional work experience at national and international levels in humanitarian response is required, with at least 5 years dedicated to cash-based assistance in various humanitarian settings. Proven experience in interdisciplinary team management, negotiation, and decision-making processes within the UN system is desired, along with experience in providing direct technical assistance on humanitarian cash transfers to UN agencies, NGOs, and governments.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in a relevant field such as economics, social science, or data analytics. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree complemented by industry certifications and additional work experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of cash-based assistance and humanitarian response.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years specifically focused on cash-based assistance in humanitarian contexts. Candidates should have experience in program planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of humanitarian cash transfer programs. Experience in collaborating across multiple functions and working with operational subject matter experts is also necessary, as well as excellent communication and presentation skills to engage with diverse audiences effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within UNICEF and for reporting purposes. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the Asia region, such as Arabic, French, or local languages, would be considered an asset and beneficial for effective communication with stakeholders in various countries.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is remote, with a contract duration from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 202

• The consultant will be required to submit a financial proposal that includes costs per deliverable and total lump-sum for the assignment. UNICEF will cover travel costs and daily subsistence allowances if international travel is required. The selected candidate must have current health insurance coverage at the time of contract award and will be responsible for ensuring their visa and health insurance are valid throughout the contract period. Additionally, selected candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely.