Programme Policy Officers at World Food Programme (WFP)

To design and manage programmes of moderate size or complexity that effectively meet food assistance needs, or contribute to policy formulation and/or provide technical advice or oversight on programme strategy and implementation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• 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 HQ and field operations.
• Provide advice and support to COs 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 sub-national 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 resources mobilisations 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.
• Advice 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.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has experience working across the Program portfolio including VAM/Nutrition.
• Has led a Sub Office or a small country/area office programme team or a component of a country office programme portfolio.
• Has engaged in policy discussions and provided input into policy decisions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Only Nigerian nationals or holders of valid residence and work permits are eligible to apply for this position. (For G level positions, for NO level position candidates must be Nigerian Nationals)
• Applications are to be submitted and received online and in English language only.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Canvassing is strictly prohibited. Canvassing of any sort will lead to automatic disqualification of the concerned applicant.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

go to method of application »

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Contribute to the policy development on Nigeria NHGSFP and its revision when necessary.
• Provide project management support and technical advice for the implementation of the NHHGSFP in Nigeria.
• Provide capacity strengthening to the NHGSFP team on implementation, menu design and ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
• Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring and evaluation systems ensuring will ensure tracking achievement and progress in the NHGSFP pillatr of the SIPs.
• Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the improvement of the government-led NHGSFP.
• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration towards providing effective technical support to the NHGSFP – RBs, HQs School Based Programs, etc
• 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 school feeding policy and implementation.
• Has deepened technical knowledge of CCS in different domains through exposure to technical teams;
• Has taken leadership of implementing SF programmes;
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions, on or related to SFP;
• 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 school feeding programs, 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 school feeding policy and implementation.

Language:

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

go to method of application »

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.