CASH AND VOUCHER SPECIALIST

Position Title: CASH AND VOUCHER SPECIALIST

Duty Station: Bugna, North Wello, Amhara Region

Open Position: 1

Program / Department Summary

The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) will support the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s "Big Push" initiative. The goal is to strengthen resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands, helping 120,000 PSNP households reach the graduation threshold. HRA Crisis Modifier interventions for Amhara Region in Bugna Woreda are a response to drought impacts and are designed to protect these gains. The intervention will run for six months from February to July 2025.

General Position Summary

As the Cash and Voucher Specialist, you will provide management oversight for the Crisis Modifier project and coordinate day‑to‑day cash transfer and voucher‑based commodity distribution. You will lead technical implementation of cash and voucher assistance, ensuring timely transfers, accurate beneficiary targeting, and efficient coordination with financial service providers, input suppliers, and market actors. You will also support post‑distribution monitoring in partnership with the MEL team.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Planning and Implementation

• Lead planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of cash transfer and agricultural input delivery through vouchers and off‑farm activities.
• Ensure cash assistance is delivered to targeted beneficiaries as per predetermined criteria.
• Lead beneficiary identification, selection, and independent or joint verification processes to ensure impartiality.
• Facilitate and monitor proper distribution and documentation of cash payments and inputs.
• Adhere to established timelines and standards.
• Participate in rapid assessments, market assessments, capacity assessments of cooperatives, unions, agro‑dealers, pullet growers, and financial service providers.
• Ensure transparent and accountable use of program resources, promoting local capacities and sustainable operations.
• Maintain records of all required documents related to cash and voucher programs.
• Mainstream gender equity and child safeguarding principles.
• Collaborate with zonal and regional coordinators, technical teams, and local implementing partners to implement market‑based livelihood recovery.
• Ensure clear understanding of the implementation approach among Crisis Modifier team members and partners.
• Participate in woreda and zone coordination meetings, documenting and delivering action points.
• Perform other functions as requested by the immediate supervisor.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting

• Adhere to program learning systems and document the impact of livelihood recovery activities.
• Prepare quarterly and monthly plans aligned with the project plan.
• Facilitate regular context monitoring to adapt activities for maximum impact.
• Provide regular updates on cash and voucher status, context, project progress, and partnerships.
• Contribute to learning visits and assessments of implementation approaches and results.
• Work with the MEL team to continuously monitor quality and support the learning development process.
• Ensure program targets and approaches are met, reporting discrepancies and changes to the Regional Program Coordinator.
• Ensure timely and quality delivery of weekly, monthly, and quarterly project reports.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Work closely with Mercy Corps technical team members, financial service providers, on‑farm specialists, stakeholders, and community representatives.
• Participate in relevant woreda‑level coordination meetings and represent Mercy Corps as required.
• Support Kebele structures and local committees to facilitate targeting and ensure correct households receive cash and commodities.
• Engage Kebele administration, Development Agents, and beneficiary communities in monitoring.
• Foster strong relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and other partners.

GEDSI (Gender, Equality, Diversity and Social Inclusion)

• Adhere to gender minimum standards and ensure GESI issues are reflected in program management.
• Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Coordinate with the GEDSI Technical Team to improve gender‑responsive MEAL systems.
• Commit to gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion.

Knowledge And Experience

• BSc degree or equivalent in business management, economics, rural development, agricultural economics, agribusiness, cooperative business management, or a related field.
• At least four years’ experience in humanitarian organizations in cash and voucher assistance (CVA) and livelihood programming.
• At least two years’ experience in an international NGO, preferably in emergency or recovery programs.
• Strong understanding of cash transfer modalities, livelihood strategies, and humanitarian principles and standards.
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, implementation, and reporting.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including local authorities, community representatives, FSPs, and NGOs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access).
• Demonstrated commitment to gender, equity, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding principles.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills, an agile mindset for innovative program design, and a strategic approach to planning. They will be comfortable working in challenging environments, adhere to procedures, and maintain a focus on the technical application of cash and voucher programming in collaboration with private sector actors.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability to program participants, community partners, and stakeholders, in accordance with international relief and development standards. We are committed to engaging communities as equal partners in design, monitoring, and evaluation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer and does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. All qualified individuals are invited to apply. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring respectful and dignified treatment of all individuals. We uphold the principles that prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and adhere to the UN Secretary General and IASC guidelines. All team members will complete mandatory Code of Conduct e‑learning courses upon hire and annually.

Application Deadline

Applications close on January 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM.