Programme Policy Officer

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer P3 (Livelihoods)

Organization: World Food Programme (WFP)

Requisition ID: 829360 

Duty Station: Niamey, Niger

Working Job Language: English, French

Job Category: Programme & Policy

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and we encourage qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability. 

Are you a programme policy officer interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people? 

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, 27 September, 2023 (11:59 PM CEST).

WHO WE ARE 

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), is the world's largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger. 

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

WHY JOIN US? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer attractive compensation package (please refer to Terms and Conditions section)

COUNTRY CONTEXT 

Niger is a low-income, landlocked Sahelian country, ranked last in the global Humanitarian Development Index 2021. With a population of around 24.9 million people, Niger continues to grapple with persistently high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, caused primarily by poverty, conflict, climate shocks, demographic pressure, and gender inequalities. 

The WFP Niger country strategic plan 2020-2024 focuses on supporting the government in emergency response while implementing integrated resilience activities to protect livelihoods and build long term resilience. WFP also aims to strengthen national capacities to ensure the sustainability and ownership of Zero Hunger solutions, for example through measures to make the national social protection system more shock-adaptive and gender-responsive. As the leading agency in the provision of food and nutritional assistance to food insecure households in Niger, WFP plays a key role in supporting the Government and working with partners to solve complex food insecurity challenges and to ensure that much needed assistance reaches the most vulnerable households through the best choice of modality for meeting their needs. 

The duty station is originally classified as E hardship category - Family duty station with an R&R cycle of 12 weeks, however, currently, the R&R cycle is every 8 weeks with temporary family restrictions. The information is to be updated.

THE ROLE 

This position is based in the Niger Country Office (CO), and the job holder will report to the senior programme policy officer. The role will be focused on the livelihoods and smallholder support component of the WFP’s integrated Resilience programming and food systems approach.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive) 

1. Contribute to formulation of WFP-wide programme policies with a focus on livelihoods, smallholder support, resilience-building, and food systems, 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Establish and maintain operational partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work.
6. 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.
7. Manage operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff to enable high performance.
12. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set objectives within a moderate budget.
13. Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs.
14. 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.

Experience: 

• Demonstrated expertise/experience in SAMS and livelihoods is required.
• Understanding of agricultural market dynamics, including local market structures, value chains, price fluctuations, market actors, and consumer preferences is an asset.
• Good understanding of the Sahel and Niger's agricultural sector, including key crops, farming systems, agroecological zones, and specific challenges is an asset.
• Have experience in mentoring and coaching staff.  

Languages: 
•    Fluency in both English and French (level C) is required. 

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK 

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity - Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others
Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments - Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change
Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork - Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth
Applies Strategic Thinking - Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things
Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships - Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives
 
Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

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 

• This is an International Professional position and candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
• Mobility is and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed term as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org)_including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days' annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
• The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Niamey, Niger to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION 

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

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