Cash Programming Lead (SHF – 6 Months) / PM

Job Profile

The Cash Programming Lead provides strategic and technical leadership for Relief International’s cash and market-based programming in Sudan. The role is responsible for the design, implementation, oversight, and quality assurance of multi-purpose cash and sector-linked cash interventions in complex and high-risk operating environments.
The position ensures that cash programming is protection-sensitive, conflict-aware, market-informed, and fully compliant with donor requirements, pooled fund regulations, and inter-agency coordination standards. The Cash Lead will establish and enforce strong internal control systems, risk mitigation mechanisms, and anti-fraud safeguards to protect beneficiaries and organizational integrity.
Working closely with Programs, MEAL, Finance, and Operations, the role ensures effective beneficiary targeting, transfer delivery, reconciliation, monitoring, and reporting. The Cash Lead will represent RI in relevant coordination platforms, including the Cash Working Group and inter-cluster forums, and will support institutional strengthening of RI Sudan’s cash capacity.

Key Responsibilities

Cash Program Design & Technical Oversight

• Lead the design and refinement of multi-purpose cash (MPC) and sector-linked cash interventions in alignment with organizational strategy, donor requirements, and Cash Working Group (CWG) standards.

• Conduct or oversee market assessments and ensure transfer values are aligned with Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) guidance and updated market data.

• Develop and document targeting criteria, vulnerability scoring tools, and beneficiary selection processes.

• Ensure integration of protection, safeguarding (PSEA), gender, and conflict-sensitivity principles into all stages of cash programming.

• Develop and update cash Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including fraud mitigation, data protection, and payment reconciliation processes.

• Provide technical guidance to field teams during start-up, scale-up, and transition phases.

Operational Implementation & Delivery Oversight

• Oversee beneficiary registration, verification, and approval processes to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance.

• Ensure proper segregation of duties between program, finance, and operations functions.

• Coordinate with Finance to ensure timely fund transfers, payment reconciliation, and audit-ready documentation.

• Supervise and technically support field-based cash officers and enumerators.

• Ensure distribution schedules are realistic, context-sensitive, and security-informed.

• Monitor field implementation to ensure adherence to SOPs and quality standards.

• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks in cash delivery mechanisms (including FSP/cash management systems where applicable).

Risk Management & Internal Controls

• Establish and enforce strong anti-fraud and anti-diversion controls specific to cash programming.

• Conduct risk assessments prior to each transfer cycle and adjust mitigation measures accordingly.

• Ensure complaint and feedback mechanisms are accessible, confidential, and actively monitored.

• Lead internal incident reviews related to cash, including fraud allegations or safeguarding concerns.

• Ensure full compliance with donor regulations and pooled fund requirements.

• Prepare risk briefings for senior management when necessary.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEAL Integration)

• Work closely with MEAL to design Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) tools and outcome tracking mechanisms.

• Analyze PDM findings to inform transfer of value adjustments or targeting refinements.

• Ensure beneficiary data is securely stored, regularly updated, and deduplicated where required.

• Contribute to donor reporting with accurate, timely, and evidence-based information.

• Monitor market trends and inflation risks and provide recommendations for program adaptation.

Coordination & Representation

• Represent RI in the Cash Working Group (CWG) and relevant inter-cluster coordination platforms.

• Ensure alignment with inter-agency guidance on transfer values, duplication prevention, and market monitoring.

• Participate in joint assessments and contribute to inter-agency information sharing.

• Coordinate closely with other sectors (Health, Nutrition, Protection, WASH) to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication.

Capacity Strengthening & Institutional Development

• Provide training and mentoring to program and operations staff on cash programming principles and compliance requirements.

• Build an internal understanding of cash risk management and accountability standards.

• Contribute to the development of institutional tools and templates for future cash interventions.

• Support structured close-out planning to ensure smooth project transition and documentation.

Essential criteria

• Bachelor's degree in economics, International Development, Business Administration, Finance, Humanitarian Studies, and related fields.

• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant humanitarian experience, including at least 3 years directly managing cash and market-based programming in complex or conflict settings.

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing multi-purpose cash (MPC) or sector-linked cash interventions.

• Proven experience working with pooled funds (e.g., SHF/CBPF) or similarly regulated donor environments.

• Strong understanding of market-based programming principles and Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) calculations.

• Experience developing cash Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), targeting tools, and fraud mitigation frameworks.

• Demonstrated experience in risk management and internal control systems for cash transfers.

• Experience conducting or supervising market assessments and Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM).

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data and adjust programming accordingly.
• Professional proficiency in Arabic is required.