Programme Policy Officer at World Food Programme (WFP)

WFP is seeking individuals with experience working in culturally sensitive, remote, and complex environments. 
 
Under the general supervision and guidance of the Deputy Country Director or the designate the Programme Policy Officer, P3 will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Contribute to formulation of WFP-wide programme policies in line with both organisational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field; or translate programme policy into Regional/Country level practices. Developing programme guidance and implementation modalities and operations, to ensure a clear and strong connection between Headquarters and field operations.
• Provide advice and support to Country Offices on moderately complex issues to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, Executive Board decisions, and other relevant guidance.
• Provide technical advice or mobilise technical expertise on programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities and appropriate food products, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies to support government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
• Assist counterparts in governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully employed and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of moderately complex food assistance programmes to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes at national and subnational levels.
• Establish and maintain operational partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work.
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in forums relating to area of specialism, for example food security, nutrition, livelihoods, resilience or engagement in humanitarian, transition and development contexts through direct participation, briefings, information products and other materials.
• Manage operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance.
• Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
• Contribute to resource mobilisation efforts for WFP projects, including clearly articulating the need for food assistance and related programme opportunities, and follow up on the resource situation of projects including commodity and cash availability, seeking advice from senior colleagues where necessary.
• Advise and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partner to design and deliver effective food assistance programmes.
• Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff to enable high performance.
• Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set objectives within a moderate budget.
• Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs.
• Other as required.

Qualifications & Experience Required
Education:
Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years or more (of which one is international) of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience;
• Engaging local and national governments or other partners on operational and strategic issues;
• Formulation and management of programme strategies in humanitarian, transition, and development contexts, drawing upon the full range of food assistance tools, and translating them into implementation modalities and operations;
• Understanding of or experience in working in operational programs in an isolated, insecure, and politically sensitive hardship location;
• Working in multicultural teams, providing guidance and support to junior team members.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Broad knowledge of diverse humanitarian assistance and development practices;
• Good understanding of project lifecycle and humanitarian principles and tools;
• Familiarity with planning and implementing humanitarian assistance, development and capacity building programmes at local/project level;
• Ability to explain strategies and projects to field counterparts and communicate with local governments and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in  writing;
• Ability to provide sound technical advice, or mobilise technical expertise, on a  broad range of programmatic areas;

Language:
Fluency in oral and written English
Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages)

Terms and Conditions
Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year and eligible for the Rest and Recuperation (R&R) scheme. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult locations.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan, and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org