Programme Policy Officer – WFP
Job Description
| Organization | United Nations World Food Programme |
| Job Title | Programme Policy Officer (NOA) |
| Requisition ID | 153245 |
| Location | Sudan – Khartoum |
| Posted Date | 12/01/2022 |
| Closing date | 27/01/2022 |
WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
JOB PURPOSE
Please note that this is a call for interest and not a consultancy posting. Sudan CO is compiling a talent pool of expert consultants for a variety of subject areas within the Programme and Policy officer Functional Area. When consultancies for the CO arise, WFP will review the consultant’s talent pool first for suitable candidates. Consultants may be contacted for specific projects throughout the year. Remuneration will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skills as well as the nature of the assignment in terms of its responsibilities and complexities; and the degree of specialization required.
For more info on Sudan operationplease go to https://www.wfp.org/countries/sudan
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Job holders are likely to manage a complex portfolio of activities that may include formulation and direct management or coordination of programmes at CO level or formulation of substantial parts of WFP-wide policies and provision of technical advice. As such job holders will be expected to have an extensive breadth of programme and policy knowledge/experience including strong technical abilities in an area of expertise and ability to credibly influence strategic, policy and operational discussions. Job holders usually manage a large team or excel in a specific area.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
1. Formulate substantial parts of WFP-wide programme policies in line with both organisational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field; or translate WFP-wide programme policy into Regional/Country level practices, 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 delivering a complex portfolio of programmes 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 a wide range of 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 senior stakeholders of 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 food assistance programmes to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes at national and sub-national levels.
5. Develop operational partnerships and maintain established strategic partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work.
6. Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums on subjects related to food security, nutrition, livelihoods, resilience, engagement in humanitarian, transition and development contexts and other related issues through direct participation, briefings, information products and other materials.
7. Manage or oversee operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance.
8. Manage or oversee preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
9. Advocate for resources for a broad portfolio of 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.
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 substantive team to enable high performance.
12. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set objectives within a significant budget.
13. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
14. Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs.
15. Other as required.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.
Education: Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other fields relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
• Has worked in a Country Office or equivalent level position within technical area.
• Has managed discussions with experts in VAM/Nutritionists.
• Has led a country / are office programme team or a substantial component of a complex programme.
• Has gained direct experience of different programme approaches.
• Has worked with government agencies and gained policy experience.
• Has led team in strategic discussions.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
27 January 2022
Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
WFP in Sudan
In 2019, Sudan faced a worsening economic crisis, including high inflation and rising prices for essential items such as food, medicine and other commodities. After months of civil protest, a Transitional Government was formed in September 2019. The Transitional Government is pursuing a new social contract with the people, prioritizing peace and economic reform, which can pave the way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 on zero hunger and improved nutrition
However, a large number of displaced people, including refugees from neighbouring countries, a volatile economic situation, increased climate variability, environmental degradation, disease outbreaks, malnutrition, gender inequality, and the risk of relapse back into potential conflict present significant hunger challenges.
According to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2020, 9.6 million people require humanitarian support in 2020, including 6.2 million people who are food insecure. High inflation continues to reduce households’ purchasing power and people are unable to meet their basic needs. An average local food basket takes up at least 75 percent of household income.
Sudan continues to face persistently high levels of acute malnutrition and stunting, which constitute a significant public health problem. National prevalence of global acute malnutrition – too thin for height – is 14.1 percent. About 2.7 million children suffer from wasting annually, with approximately 522,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Although stunting – too short for age – has slightly improved over recent years, the scale of the problem remains concerning. One out of three Sudanese children are undernourished and do not grow to their full cognitive and physical potential.
Two thirds of the population live in rural areas, and the economy is heavily dependent on agriculture. However, the sector is vulnerable to climate shocks, and the productivity is low due to inadequate farming practices and post-harvest losses.
In response to these challenges, WFP works with the Government and partners to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance, while supporting government efforts to strengthen social protection systems.
The already dire food security situation in Sudan could worsen with the adverse economic impacts of COVID-19. Additional efforts are required to prevent already extremely vulnerable households from becoming impoverished. In an effort to protect the most vulnerable groups against hunger and the spread of COVID-19, WFP is adjusting its response in Sudan, while ensuring safety at food and cash distributions.
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