Senior CBI Assistant

May 21, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family

GS5

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-05

Senior CBI Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior CBI (Cash-Based Interventions) Assistant is supervised by a Senior CBI/Programme or Field staff. S/he performs a variety of functions related to cash assistance activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.
The incumbent will assist in monitoring the quality of the provision of cash assistance for the operation under area of responsibility. S/he will be required to maintain strong relations with other units within UNHCR as well as operational partners and contractors working with UNHCR on the delivery of cash assistance to persons of concern (POC).


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.


Duties
- Coordinate data collection and cash assistance eligibility determination with relevant partners and contractors.
- Assist in monitoring the implementation of the UNHCR cash assistance programme including the delivery of all assistance item, monitoring of infrastructure, completion of home visits, etc.
- Export and manage data related to the cash assistance delivery.
- Perform data analysis and reporting as required.
- Coordinate with relevant units and personnel on decisions and visits related to cash assistance program.
- Coordinate with the bank and other institutes on actions related to cash delivery issues.
- Receive queries from internal UNHCR units and external agencies related to the cash assistance delivery and provide feedback and follow up as necessary.
- Ensure proper filing and record keeping.
- Liaise with POC, assistance beneficiaries, and partners.
- Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Business Administration, Law, Political Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Computer skills, including knowledge of database applications.

Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR programmes and activities. Experience in working with UNHCR contractors and partners. Experience in Cash-Based interventions. Working experience in MS/Excel and MS/Access.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Microsoft Excel
CB-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The candidate is expected to have sound understanding and experience in implementation of Cash based interventions including multipurpose and sectoral cash assistance for Livelihoods, Shelter, and education. The candidate should have strong analytical and data-management skills: able to design, maintain and optimize databases for generating different reports including activity info, end -year reporting and other periodic reports as applicable. S/he ensures CBI programmes are compliant with the technical guidance and administrative instructions on Cash Based Interventions and are adequately monitored. S/he receives technical guidance and direction from Programme CBI Officer. The candidate should have good computer analytical, reporting and communication skills including coordination with key stakeholders. The incumbent of the position will also liaise with the focal points of the financial service providers (FSP) as well as partner staff. The candidate should have knowledge and understanding of UNHCR policies, principles, and strategies relating to CBI.

In addition, the ideal candidate possesses the following:
A team player with the ability to work with colleagues from diverse background.
Strong analytical skills and understanding on use of software/applications such as Cash Assist, ERP, RAIS and Iris Cloud.
Computer packages such as word, excel, access and PowerPoint.
University degree in economics, social sciences, statistics, business administration, information management, or a related field
2-3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian assistance implementing cash interventions.

* No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Syria operates in a highly complex, protracted humanitarian context characterized by large-scale internal displacement, refugee returns, and sustained humanitarian needs. As of early 2026, an estimated 16.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, while millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain across the country and significant refugee and IDP returns continue to take place amid fragile absorption capacity and limited basic services. Despite gradual shifts toward early recovery and reintegration support, humanitarian assistance remains critical due to widespread poverty, inflation, infrastructure damage, access constraints, and protection risks. Within this context, UNHCR Syria delivers protection and life-saving assistance to refugees, returnees, asylum-seekers, IDPs and host communities, with cash-based interventions (CBI) forming a central component of the response. Cash assistance is provided through multiple modalities, including multipurpose cash grants and sector-specific cash (education, shelter repair, livelihoods), in line with UNHCR’s global policy to mainstream CBI. Implementation is conducted in close coordination with government counterparts, financial service providers, banks, and implementing partners, under strict regulatory, access, and risk-management frameworks. Due to the dynamic and volatile operational environment, staff are required to operate with a high degree of flexibility, apply risk-based decision-making, ensure strong accountability to affected populations, and maintain close coordination across UNHCR units and partners while upholding UNHCR policies, data protection standards, and safeguarding principles.

Reporting directly to Programme CBI Officer at Country Office Damascus, Senior CBI Assistant is expected to support operational delivery and programme management of CBI across a number workstreams of CBI Unit, such as distribution management, tracking implementation, monitoring and reporting under supervision of the Programme CBI Officer and Assistant Programme CBI Officer (NOA). This, in turn, requires a sound understanding of UNHCR’s procedures in CBI implementation as well as solid skills in programme management, protection mainstreaming and M&E.

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CB-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Excel

Certifications

Business Administration - Other, Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance