Electronic Cash Transfer Officer (219254-927)

Job Description

This position is pending funding

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Since 1979, Mercy Corps has responded to 53 international emergencies and provided more than $1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance. Oftentimes, we distribute cash or paper vouchers to emergency-affected groups so they can buy what they urgently need. The growth of mobile technology and electronic payment systems has created opportunities to improve our efficiency and impact by switching from physical distributions to electronic transfers (e-transfers). Mercy Corps has deployed e-transfers in seven countries, and we continue to pilot new technologies and build internal capacity to successfully use these systems. Within Mercy Corps, the Economic & Market Development Technical Support Unit (EMD) offers technical support to teams making the switch from paper and cash to electronic transfers.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Electronic Cash Transfer Officer will join the ELEVATE II (Electronic Vouchers and Transfers in Emergencies II) program team, which is managed by EMD unit. The goal of ELEVATE II is to improve the effectiveness and increase the impact of humanitarian aid through appropriate use of payments technology. The Officer will support learning and development of best practices by engaging experts to document and provide technical guidance around issues including data privacy and management, digital literacy and linking to financial inclusion. This officer will also support the development of a community of practice that engages peer agencies and the private sector to jointly address industry wide challenges. When available, the Officer will provide direct technical support on e-transfers to Mercy Corps field teams (both remotely and through in-country support visits).

This position will report to the ELEVATE II (Electronic Vouchers and Transfers in Emergencies) Program Manager and may help supervise a part time support officer. S/he will coordinate closely with Mercy Corps support units including compliance, finance and other technical teams.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Coordination, Learning and External Representation

• Participate actively in existing coordination forums hosted by entities including the Cash Learning Partnership, NetHope and the Better than Cash Alliance.
• Organize industry wide learning workshops, round tables and events designed to strengthen an e-transfer community of practice that includes both implementing agencies and private sector representatives.
• Externally communicate Mercy Corps learning and achievements around e-transfers in writing and through representation at industry events.

Knowledge Management:

• Manage a process to analyze and document issues including data privacy and management, digital literacy and linking to financial inclusion (including contracting and supporting consultants and conducting technical reviews of deliverables.
• Contribute to and revise internal resources on e-transfers, including the E-transfer Implementation Guide.

Internal E-Transfer Capacity Building

• Support Mercy Corps teams in transitioning from paper and cash to electronic payment systems through field visits and remote advising.
• Facilitate learning across country portfolios and regions and share lessons learned and knowledge of agency resources/tools/best practices, etc.
• Support global tender processes that identify relevant new e-payment tools and make them available for Mercy Corps teams.
• Develop a roster of technical consultants that can help Mercy Corps overcome key challenges to e-transfers including developing standardized requirements, data privacy and protection, data management and financial inclusion through e-transfers.

Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Potential opportunity to supervise a support officer.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: ELEVATE II Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other members of EMD, other HQ Program units and other departments, including Resource Development, Finance, Compliance, Legal, Policy and Advocacy, Mercy Corps Counterparts at MC HQ offices in Europe; MC donors and partners.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S in relevant field required; MA/MS/MBA or equivalent preferred.
• Extensive experience in humanitarian work, of which a significant amount should be in implementing/managing cash transfer programs, including some work with e-transfers.
• Knowledge of the global cash transfer community and key coordinating bodies.
• Strong representation, networking, influencing and facilitation skills necessary.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse geographically spread team.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation, including managing evaluations and other learning projects.
• Experience procuring, tendering for, testing and/or deploying e-transfer systems or other technology for development products (desired).
• A sound understanding of the importance of gender and equal opportunities in humanitarian work.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
• Experience working in consortium with peer agencies and private sector actors desirable.
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Proficiency in foreign languages, particularly French or Arabic, desired.
• Three to four years minimum professional experience in related field.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will possess a vision for how e-transfers could transform the way aid is delivered to communities in crisis. S/he will demonstrate the drive, patience and skill required to help individual program teams with this challenge, while contributing to improved knowledge and capacity within the industry at large. S/he is a problem solver, who is able to work through daily implementation details while keeping an eye on larger trends and long-term opportunities for systemic change. S/he is adept at identifying opportunities for impact and managing his/her time to best advance team priorities. The Officer is a skilled communicator, able to develop and utilize strong relationships with staff, peer agencies, donors and the private sector. S/he displays commitment and openness to new practices, concepts, ideas and change for continuous improvement. An ability to develop personal relationships with a variety of people in a variety of contexts, across virtual teams is critical. A robust sense of humor is greatly appreciated.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position is based in Portland, Oregon, or Washington DC and is expected to travel internationally up to 40% of the time – sometimes on short notice— to areas with limited access to medical facilities and amenities.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.