Programme Policy Officer - Capacity Strengthening NOB Abuja (290043) at World Food Programme (WFP)

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of country capacity strengthening projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
• Provide project management support to specific and defined country capacity strengthening programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
• Develop and coordinate CCS data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
• Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of country capacity strengthening policies, programmes and activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on CCS programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing CCS projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
• Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved CCS packages.
• Support the capacity strengthening of WFP staff, partners and national government to recognise and address CCS needs, e.g. by providing inputs into specific CCS materials.
• Other as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• 3 or more years of relevant postgraduate professional experience related to national development programmes, policies, strategies or plans and institutional structures, preferably in relation to food security and/or nutrition and revolving around national capacity strengthening and/or programme and knowledge management;
• Has deepened technical knowledge of CCS in different domains through exposure to technical teams;
• Has taken leadership of implementing CCS programmes;
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions, on or related to CCS;
• Has experience carrying out methodical thematic research and analytical work;
• Has experience in establishing contacts and liaising with partner organisations/companies.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

• Solid understanding of Agenda 2030 and of SDG2 and SDG17 and respective targets and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them
• Knowledge of current thinking and development in country capacity development and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles relevant to humanitarian/emergency contexts
• Familiarity with WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.
• Solid knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues;
• Demonstrated data collection and analytical writing skills, including ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information to understand national capacities across a wide range of policy and programme areas and identify gap and needs, as well as WFP’s entry points.
• Good operational, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present English and/or in the language of the region.

SOFT SKILLS:

• Excellent ability to develop and maintain networks with a variety of stakeholders
• Strong facilitation skills for strategic/analytical workshops and group discussions
• Strong analytical, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to convey an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders
• Flexibility to adapt individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from colleagues and internal/external changes
• Ability to participate in open dialogue and value diverse opinions, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment
• Willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work;
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner
• Ability to work in a team and multi-task as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in International Development, International Relations, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Research Methods or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: 

• 3 or more years of relevant postgraduate professional experience related to  food security and/or nutrition and revolving around national capacity strengthening and/or programme and knowledge management.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.