Cash Transfer Payments Specialist
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP uses food assistance to help people recover from conflict, disasters, and extreme weather. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and investing in our employees' personal and professional development, fostering a high-performing and collaborative work environment.
Job Purpose
The Cash Transfer Payments Specialist will design and implement adaptive, cost-efficient financial products and services to enhance WFP's cash assistance programs, particularly in emergencies and complex settings. This role involves leading external engagement with financial sector partners, developing an innovation portfolio for cash transfers, and representing WFP in fintech and payments forums. The specialist will advise Country Offices on payment solutions, support negotiations with financial service providers, and ensure alignment with corporate priorities and policies. A key focus will be on improving operational efficiency, assurance, and inclusion in cash delivery, while also bridging cash and information management to strengthen WFP's capabilities in cash service provision and support cross-border payment initiatives.
Responsibilities
The Cash Transfer Payments Specialist at WFP is responsible for designing and implementing adaptive, cost-efficient financial products and services for cash assistance, particularly in emergencies and complex settings. This role involves leading external engagement with private and financial sector partners, including Financial Service Providers (FSPs), International Financial Institutions (IFIs), regulators, and central banks. A key responsibility is to foster an innovation portfolio for cash transfers, exploring both high-probability operational benefits and transformational longshots like stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), while managing associated risks. The specialist will represent WFP in fintech and payments forums, identifying opportunities to enhance cash delivery efficiency, assurance, and inclusion. They will also act as a liaison between cash transfer operations and Information for Development Management (IDM) to ensure robust foundations for cash assistance. Furthermore, the role includes generating knowledge and insights on WFP’s FSP and fintech portfolio, supporting Country Offices in navigating regulatory environments, advising on payment products, and negotiating with financial service providers. Collaboration with internal stakeholders is crucial to align external engagement with corporate priorities, policies, and requirements. The specialist will also support the design of cross-border payments and global payment solutions, and contribute to the design and implementation of cash service provision for various partners.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of 8 years of progressive professional experience in digital payments, financial services, banking, fintech, payment systems, humanitarian cash assistance, or government-to-person payments. Desired experience includes designing, implementing, or managing large-scale payment programs in challenging environments (conflict, disaster, economic shocks) with multiple financial service providers and diverse payment instruments.
Skills
Digital Payments, Financial Services, Banking, Fintech, Payment Systems, Humanitarian Cash Assistance, G2P Payments, Financial Inclusion, Regulatory Engagement, Partnership Building, Project Management, Cross-border Payments, Innovation Management, Data Privacy, Fraud Prevention, Cybersecurity, Negotiation, Communication, Strategic Thinking, Market Analysis