Officer, Cash and Voucher Assistance

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability. 

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpa); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

Following the 7.7 Mw earthquake that struck Panama on October 9, 2026, the IFRC is supporting the Panamanian Red Cross in the implementation of an emergency response operation aimed at addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of affected populations. Damage to homes, health facilities, schools, roads, bridges, water systems, and other critical infrastructure has disrupted essential services and affected the safety, well-being, and livelihoods of thousands of families. More than 4,000 families have been affected, including hundreds who lost their homes entirely, while ongoing aftershocks continue to complicate recovery efforts.

The earthquake has resulted in population displacement, increased protection and psychosocial support needs, and reduced access to health care, safe water, sanitation, and other basic services. Vulnerable groups, including children, elderly persons, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions, face heightened risks. In response, the Government of Panama declared a State of National Emergency. As part of the operation, the IFRC and the Panamanian Red Cross will implement Cash Assistance Programming to support the immediate recovery needs of affected households while promoting choice, dignity, and resilience. The operation will ensure strong Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) and the integration of Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) considerations throughout the response.

 

Job Purpose

The Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Officer supports the implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of Cash and Voucher Assistance activities within the Panama operation.

The incumbent provides operational and technical support to ensure that CVA interventions are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with IFRC standards, donor requirements, and applicable Panamanian legislation. The position contributes to emergency response operations, supports the use of digital CVA systems and payment platforms, strengthens operational preparedness, and supports capacity building of staff and volunteers involved in CVA programming.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

CVA Implementation and Emergency Response

• Learn and apply the IFRC procedures for implementation of Cash and Voucher Assistance activities throughout the project cycle, ensuring compliance with IFRC and Panama legal and regulatory requirements.
• Support the operationalization of cash assistance within emergency response operations.
• Assist in beneficiary registration, verification, targeting, validation, and transfer processes.
• Monitor implementation progress and identify operational challenges and risks, proposing corrective actions when necessary.
• Support the integration of Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), and other cross-cutting approaches to CVA programs.
• Participate in rapid emergency response activities as required.

Digital Platforms and Information Management

• Support the implementation and day-to-day use of digital tools and platforms used for CVA programming.
• Ensure data quality, confidentiality, and compliance with organizational data protection standards.
• Support troubleshooting and operational issue resolution related to digital payment and beneficiary management systems, as needed.
• Maintain accurate beneficiary and program records.

Financial Service Provider Coordination

• Monitor payment processes and support reconciliation activities.
• Follow up on operational and technical issues affecting cash transfer delivery.
• Ensure transfer documentation and records are complete, accurate, and auditable.

Monitoring, Reporting and Learning

• Support monitoring activities, including post-distribution monitoring, market monitoring, and beneficiary feedback mechanisms.
• Collaborate with PMER teams in data collection, analysis, and performance tracking.
• Support documentation of lessons learned, case studies, and good practices.

Capacity Building and Preparedness

• Provide day-to-day technical guidance to the Panamanian Red Cross staff and volunteers involved in CVA implementation.
• Facilitate training sessions, briefings, and coaching activities related to CVA tools, systems, and operational procedures.
• Support the adaptation, dissemination, and implementation of CVA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Contribute to strengthening preparedness and institutional capacity for cash programming and emergency response.

Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Operations, PMER, Finance, Logistics, Information Management, CEA, PGI, and other technical teams to ensure integrated implementation.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the Panama Red Cross counterparts, Movement partners, and external stakeholders.
• Support compliance with IFRC policies, procedures, and quality standards throughout program implementation.

Education

Required:

• University degree in Disaster Management, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, International Development, Project Management, Humanitarian Action, Finance, or another relevant field.
• RCRC Movement CVA online or in-person CVA training or member of Rapid Response/ERU roster

Preferred:

• Training in Emergency Response and Project Cycle Management
• Relevant IFRC, CALP, or Red Cross Red Crescent Movement certifications.

Experience

Required:

• 1-3 years of relevant professional experience in cash and voucher assistance, humanitarian programming, community programs, disaster management, social programs, or related fields
• Experience supporting or implementing Cash and Voucher Assistance programs.
• Experience in monitoring, reporting, and follow-up with beneficiaries.

Preferred:

• Experience using digital tools for data collection, beneficiary management, or program implementation.
• Experience working with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
• Experience coordinating with Financial Service Providers.
• Experience supporting emergency response operations.
• Experience delivering training and capacity-building activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Knowledge of Cash and Voucher Assistance principles and methodologies.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and digital information systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage and analyze program data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and operational documentation.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to provide training and technical support to staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of humanitarian program implementation and emergency response operations.

Languages

Required:

• Good command of spoken and written Spanish
• Ability to communicate professionally in written and spoken English. Fluency preferred

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French)

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust