Urayayi Mutsindikwa
Global Humanitarian, Recovery, Resilience and Development Expert I joined UNICEF’s Global Cash Based Assistance (CBA) Hub (GCH) at Head Quarters (HQ) in 2022, currently serving as an Emergency Specialist responsible global CBA) technical leadership in fragile and emergency contexts. In this New York City, USA-based post o/p to Geneva, Switzerland I have a vital role in ensuring equitable access to multipurpose cash transfers to complement other in-kind support across the globe. As part of the leadership, I support implementation strategies and manage relationships with over 70 countries where UNICEF implements CBA and engage with hundreds of partners. Providing leadership and guidance on planning, designing, implementing, scaling-up, monitoring and evaluating Cash-plus programmes for lifesaving, social protection, food security, health, nutrition, WASH and livelihoods outcomes within poor and vulnerable children’s families. Leveraging two decades of exemplary leadership and strategic coordination of multi-sectoral programmes prior to joining UNICEF, I have continued to contribute to UNICEF’s global mandate of protecting and promoting the rights and well-being of every child, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged – including in some of the most difficult circumstances across the globe. I am dynamic and innovative global leader and strategist with significant cutting-edge experience and cable of contextualizing my knowledge to suit regional, national and local contexts. Before joining UNICEF, I had spent seven years at UNHCR as a Sr Cash Based Intervention (CBI) Officer in Somalia, Afghanistan where I was part of the Global CBI Taskforce housed at HQ in Geneva, Switzerland working closely with the Global Cash Operations, Department of Finance and Administration Management (DFAM), Treasury, Protection, Programmes and Emergency sections to scale-up and expand cash transfers. For 13 years before joining the UN I occupied different national and regional senior management, advisory and representative positions across several international agencies and INGOs such as the Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP) Network, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Oxfam GB, and Save the Children International (SCI). I take pride in building disaster-ready multi-functional teams that were able to respond to multiple emergencies, recovery and development programmes worldwide. I have recognized the introduction of technology to enhance in-kind aid delivery in the last mile, enhancing active participation of clients or aid recipients in key activities and for scaling cash transfer initiatives in the humanitarian sector. This professional journey of twenty-five years has led me to work in many low-to-medium income countries and in complex environments including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Georgia, Macedonia, State of Palestine and in several African countries including Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Egypt Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and my native Zimbabwe. With passion I continue to engage in various pieces of research, innovations and the use of technology in Humanitarian Action as well as influencing, capacitating and nurturing the next generation of leaders in humanitarian action. I am a strong advocate for strategic partnerships and derives satisfaction in serving countries and vulnerable populations through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions.
Work History
Emergency Specialist and Technical Lead
3 Years 11 Months- Provided technical guidance on feasibility assessments and studies for Cash Based Assistance (CBA) implementation and scaling in UNICEF projects across humanitarian–development–peacebuilding nexus worldwide, enhancing access to essential goods and services for children and families. Advocated for UNICEF’s mandate by addressing financial barriers for children and their families, promoting cash solutions to meet diverse humanitarian needs and strengthen resilience in fragile contexts. I embrace the use of cash to address a wide range of humanitarian needs, managing risks and enhancing families’ overall resilience including in complex conflict and climate-change induced fragile and humanitarian contexts. This includes strengthening the use of cash for food security, nutrition, protection, child protection, health, education, shelter, water and sanitation, livelihoods, resilience, durable solutions outcomes among others. Supported planning, budgeting, design, and implementation of child-sensitive programmes across multiple countries, ensuring effective response to humanitarian needs in South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, State of Palestine, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Afghanistan, Egypt, Somalia, Caribbean Islands, Georgia, Macedonia.
- Developed strategic frameworks for cash transfer programming, enhancing operational efficiency in humanitarian response.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement innovative cash management solutions tailored to diverse needs.
- Streamlined financial reporting processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with organizational standards and donor regulations.
Senior Programme Cash Based Interventions Officer
6 Years 1 Month- Led scaling up of cash-based interventions (CBIs) in UNHCR across Africa and Asia, overseeing increase of cash transfers from $2 million to over $60 million in Somalia, from $25 million to over $204 million in Afghanistan, and from $3 million to over $18 million in Kenya. Provided CBI insights and technical direction to senior management, initiating transition of organization to a leading CBI agency within UN family in alignment with Grand Bargain. I have led the analysis of social, political, financial and macro-economic policies that impact on the well-being of people of concern, providing technical advisory inputs to make local market-based improvements, work for the poor and enhance their utilization to meet basic needs in terms of goods and services. Developed multi-functional teams and legislative frameworks, procedures, policies, and guidelines that enhanced social service delivery and implementation of cash-based interventions, adopting best practices for protection, livelihoods, shelter, education, health, WASH, and nutrition outcomes. I implemented the CashAssist digital payment system, integrating it with biometrics and the proGres v4 database to enhance payment accuracy. I also represented UNHCR in cash discussions externally with other UN agencies, donors, NGOs and governments and prepared reports and updates, briefs.
- Led coordination of refugee assistance programs to enhance service delivery and resource allocation.
- Developed training materials for staff on best practices in refugee protection and response strategies.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration with government agencies and NGOs to streamline support services.
Regional Representative – East and Southern Africa
1 Year 6 Months- Developed cash transfer programming, policy, advocacy, coordination, capacity-building, and research initiatives across twelve East and Southern African countries, enhancing regional response to humanitarian needs. I also promoted the adoption, use, scaling-up and expansion of Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) in the Africa region in line with the CaLP Global strategy as the technical and strategic co-chair and advisor of the regional and national Cash Working Groups (working with the UN, NGOs, private sector and government partners). I have ensured the use of CTP in food security, livelihoods, protection, health, education, nutrition and gender programmes across the different countries and contexts by the entire humanitarian and cash community of practice in the region. I was able to establish linkages between humanitarian CTP and social protection, resilience and safety nets across regional countries including in complex refugee and displacement contexts as well as conflict-affected and fragile states. I produced technical inputs for the CaLP digital platforms, newsletters, cash atlas, research and studies. Forged strategic partnerships with NGOs, UN agencies, private sector, host governments, and donors including USAID, OFDA, DFID, and the European Commission, securing funding for regional programs. Influenced policy changes across regional countries to incorporate cash assistance into durable solutions, aligning practices with research findings.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to enhance cash transfer programming strategies.
- Facilitated training sessions to improve partner capacity in cash-based interventions.
- Analyzed regional data trends to inform strategic decision-making processes.
Regional Cash Advisor
2 Years 2 Months- I led expansion of the NRC and partners such as Oxfam GB’s cross border CTP interventions in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran to close to US$1 billion across sectors and agencies. Chaired Regional and National Cash & Voucher Working Groups (CVWG), providing technical leadership to establish platform for sharing best practices and innovations in cash transfer programming. Liaised with policy makers, governments, and private sector to enhance collaboration and integration within national and regional markets. Coordinated CTP utilization across Food Security and Livelihoods, health, education, shelter, nutrition, social protection, and NFI clusters to ensure comprehensive support.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance program delivery and stakeholder engagement.
- Developed training materials to improve staff performance and service quality.
- Analyzed project outcomes to inform future programming and resource allocation.
USAID/Food for Peace Multi Year Assistance Programme Manager –The Jonglei Food Security Programme (JFSP)
9 Months- Led technical, strategic, and management efforts for a key component of US$50 million USAID FFP programme, ensuring transparency, effectiveness, and accountability aligned with DRR frameworks and humanitarian standards. Coordinated food aid through Cash & Food for Asset, Food & Cash for Work, and Cash & Food for Training & Recovery projects with Chief of Party, enhancing program quality and transforming smallholder farmers from agriculture to agro-enterprise. In this post I ensured the timely delivery of high-quality livelihoods interventions (livestock health and primary food production), community-led DRR, conflict resolution strategies, public works (Food for Assets), local capacity building and commodity management ensuring adherence to commodity management guidelines within the pipeline as defined in the USAID Guidelines and Regulations. Tracked financial resources and monitored expenditure against budget using budget tracking tools. I collaborated closely with the Finance and Grants Managers to produce evidence-based, high-quality, and timely programmatic and financial reports.
- Led team initiatives to enhance program delivery and effectiveness across multiple projects.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to improve operational efficiency in humanitarian programs.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and mission goals.
Consortium Emergency Food Security, Livelihoods and Cash Transfers Team Leader
6 Months- I led a multi-talented, multi-sectoral and multi-functional team of emergence response teams across six INGOs (Oxfam, CARE, Islamic Relief, Concern Worldwide, Action Aid and Solidarities) to design, strategize, implement, monitor and evaluate a €10 million CTP for food security and livelihoods recovery programme reaching over 42,250 households affected by Cyclone Aila funded by ECHO. Exhibited technical leadership in assessments, developed targeting frameworks, conducted analysis, and produced evidence-based needs assessments in category 1 rapid-onset emergency, creating preparedness and response plans to accelerate recovery. In that complex climate-induced context in Bangladesh, I designed and implemented cash assistance initiatives across the affected areas and ensured that affected populations received support timely, accurately and transparently and the SOPs and guidelines. Engaged with government partners at national and sub-national levels, including relevant line ministries, the Central Bank, commercial banks, and financial service providers to enhance collaboration and support for affected populations. Organized and coordinated high-profile visits for senior management, including country directors and regional teams, and represented organization at donor strategic meetings, strengthening relationships with stakeholders like ECHO.
- Led teams in implementing community-driven development projects, enhancing local engagement and resource utilization.
- Developed training programs for staff, fostering skill enhancement and operational efficiency across multiple projects.
- Coordinated cross-functional collaboration to streamline processes, improving project delivery timelines and stakeholder satisfaction.
Programme Manager, Food Security & Livelihoods Security
5 Years 1 Month- Planned, designed, and implemented reviews for livelihoods projects targeting social protection, food security, nutrition, health, WASH, economic strengthening, and disaster risk reduction in rural and urban areas, ensuring alignment with community needs. I also managed project budgets, ensuring project objectives are achieved and are flexible to respond to beneficiary needs including timely consolidation and submission of quality and evidence-based monthly, quarterly, annual and project-end financial and narrative reports to donors. Cultivated relationships with institutional donors including DFID, World Bank, AusAID, USAID/OFDA, UN-OCHA, and various embassies, enhancing collaboration with government ministries and NGOs. Represented CRS in strategic decision-making and planning engagements with high-level stakeholders, influencing project direction and priorities.
- Led operational strategy to enhance program delivery and resource allocation across multiple projects.
- Developed and implemented training programs to increase team efficiency and effectiveness in humanitarian response efforts.
- Fostered partnerships with local organizations to improve community engagement and support service distribution channels.
Protecting Vulnerable Livelihoods Project Manager
3 Years 6 Months- Developed Food Security and Agriculture strategy for vulnerable groups funded by DFID & FAO, incorporating Seed and Input Voucher and Fairs, and promoting sustainable technologies like conservation farming to maintain soil fertility, enhance water harvesting, and prevent erosion, while preparing Conservation Farming guidelines for Zimbabwe. Established synergies among food security, nutrition, and livelihood interventions within the organization to enhance program coherence and effectiveness. Coordinated programs, managing interfaces with key project partners at national and sub-national levels to ensure alignment and collaboration across initiatives.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver technology projects on time and within budget.
- Developed project plans utilizing Agile methodologies to enhance project efficiency.
- Mentored junior project managers, fostering professional growth and team collaboration.