Cash and Voucher Assistance Lead

The Cash and Voucher Assistance Lead will be responsible for leading CORE's cash and voucher assistance programming in Los Angeles, California in support of wildfire-affected communities. This role involves strategic planning and assessments, program design and implementation, supporting monitoring, evaluation and other documentation of program impact, stakeholder coordination, and team leadership to provide effective response and recovery solutions for crisis-affected communities. The position will lead both stand-alone cash and voucher assistance programming as well as contributing to the integration of cash and voucher assistance within CORE’s holistic case management approach for affected households.

Main Responsibilities:

• Program Development and Implementation

1. Strategic Leadership:

• a. Support design and oversee the implementation of cash and voucher programs that align with CORE and Donors’ Strategic Plans.
• b. Support community engagement and assessments to identify needs and identify with communities and through technical insights suitable intervention strategies.
• c. Support with technical inputs and outreach in resource mobilization efforts to expand CORE’s current cash and voucher assistance portfolio in California.

2. Targeting and Assistance Delivery:

• a. Identify, target, select, register and verify vulnerable and underserved households through vulnerability-capacity and community-based approaches.
• b. Oversee the delivery of evidence-based cash and voucher assistance to individuals, households, businesses and community groups.
• c. Ensure adherence to CORE and donor monitoring, data protection standards, and operational guidelines.

3. Capacity Building:

• a. Strengthen the capacity of local partners and team members.
• b. Organize training and as needed for project participants.




Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

1. Partnership Management:

• a. Liaise with local government entities, NGOs, and community-based organizations to enhance the program’s design and delivery.
• b. Collaborate with humanitarian actors and coordination systems (e.g. VOAD) to ensure harmonization, deduplication and referrals for holistic support for communities.

2. Advocacy and Sensitization:

• a. Represent CORE in forums and build strong relationships with donors, local authorities, and community leaders.
• b. Contribute to sensitization campaigns to increase community awareness and promote accountability to affected populations including program participation.




Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

1. Performance Management:

• a. Coordinate with CORE MEAL specialists at HQ and country level to develop robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks and tools to track program progress, outputs, and impact.
• b. Work with case management teams to ensure accurate data collection, analysis and timely reporting.

2. Compliance and Reporting:

• a. Prepare and submit comprehensive narrative and financial reports to Donor and CORE leadership.
• b. Ensure all activities are documented in line with donor requirements, including using Donor and CORE-provided templates and platforms.




Procurement and Logistics

1. Resource Management:

• a. Oversee procurement and distribution processes for cash and voucher assistance and relevant equipment, ensuring alignment with donor environmental and sustainability policies.
• b. Coordinate with local authorities and partners to facilitate safe and efficient distributions.

2. Risk Mitigation:

• a. Identify and mitigate operational risks, including security concerns.




Team Leadership and Management

1. Cross-Functional Coordination:

• a. Work closely with technical services unit, MEL, finance and logistics to ensure smooth program implementation and with Partnerships & Development teams in resource mobilization.

Scope and Travel:

• Direct Reports: None
• Indirect Reports: None
• Coordinates with: Headquarters Sr. Advisor for Cash and Markets, Gender and Protection Specialist, Medical Director, MEL team, Case Management Lead, CA Area Director
• Travel: Frequent travel to program implementation sites

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field, or 5 years commensurate experience in cash and voucher in an NGO. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred but not required.
• Certification or training in cash and voucher assistance programming (e.g. CALP Network fundamentals and subsequent levels), RedRose, project management (e.g., PMP), or humanitarian assistance is an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in economic recovery programming, humanitarian response, or rural development, including at least 3 years in a management role.
• 2+ years experience working in emergency response, preferably within the United States.
• Proven expertise in implementing cash and voucher assistance programs and working with donors.

Skills and Competencies:

• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis tools, including familiarity with digital beneficiary management and distribution platforms.
• Strong understanding of cash and voucher assistance and market-based programming.




Leadership Skills:

• Exceptional team leadership and conflict resolution abilities.
• Capacity to motivate and manage diverse teams under challenging circumstances.




Communication and Language:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. (Spanish, Mandarin, and/or Cantonese highly desirable.




Personal Attributes:

• Strong cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Ability to work under pressure and in complex, rapidly changing environments.

Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records checks, sex offender registries, employment, education verifications and child abuse registry check (if required by state regulations) are required post job offer and prior to employment.

Safeguarding

CORE is committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe and has a Zero Tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse. Every CORE employee, consultant and volunteer is bound by CORE’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy. By applying for this position, an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s safeguarding, sexual misconduct, (child) sexual exploitation and abuse, or human trafficking policy.