The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill Programme Policy Officer at the P3 level, based in our Country Office in Juba, South Sudan.
WFP’s latest food and nutrition security report on South Sudan indicates that 3.6 million people are currently severely food insecure—an unprecedented level despite seasonal improvements in line with the harvest season. Among these, 600,000 people are in urban centres across the country. Food and nutrition security is anticipated to deteriorate further in 2017, with 4.6 million people likely to be severely food insecure in the first quarter of the year. The continued deterioration of the food security situation comes as a result of spiralling prices, hyperinflation, poor harvests, continued displacement and disruption of trade and livelihood activities. In November 2016, WFP provided food and nutrition assistance to 1.6 million people–55 percent of whom were female. This was achieved through the provision of over 18,000mt of food commodities and US$1.5 million in cash transfers throughout the country.
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill Programme Policy Officer at the P3 level, based in our Country Office in Juba, South Sudan.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
WFP’s latest food and nutrition security report on South Sudan indicates that 3.6 million people are currently severely food insecure—an unprecedented level despite seasonal improvements in line with the harvest season. Among these, 600,000 people are in urban centres across the country. Food and nutrition security is anticipated to deteriorate further in 2017, with 4.6 million people likely to be severely food insecure in the first quarter of the year. The continued deterioration of the food security situation comes as a result of spiralling prices, hyperinflation, poor harvests, continued displacement and disruption of trade and livelihood activities. In November 2016, WFP provided food and nutrition assistance to 1.6 million people–55 percent of whom were female. This was achieved through the provision of over 18,000mt of food commodities and US$1.5 million in cash transfers throughout the country.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
- 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.
STANDARD 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.
Language:
- Fluency in oral and written English with an intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages).
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
- At least 5 years or more (of which 1 are international) of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience
- Experience in diversity of programme approaches, in a variety of contexts, 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.
- Experience working with government agencies and experience with the development and implementation of strategic policy
- Combination of field, country office, and regional bureau, and/or headquarters experience is an asset
- Experience managing a team engaged in complex, multiple processes against tight deadlines
- Experience in a UN or other International Humanitarian agency is desirable
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
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 7th March 2017