Programme Policy Officer/Head of Antenna, International Consultancy, Menaka (Mali)

ABOUT WFP IN MALI

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is the largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger in the world. WFP's mission is to help the world reach the zero hunger goal by 2030. WFP works every day to ensure that the most vulnerable, especially women and children, can access to the nutritious foods they need to lead productive and healthy lives.

WFP MANDATE AND INTERVENTIONS IN MALI

In Mali, WFP supports government efforts through an assistance strategy aimed at responding to the humanitarian emergency, strengthening the resilience of communities and supporting sustainable development efforts. In collaboration with state institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partners of the United Nations system, WFP organizes cash or in-kind transfers to meet the food needs of families affected by conflicts or hazards , provides school meals that promote girls and boys' access to education, supports the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, provides technical and financial support to groups of small agricultural producers to improve their production and access at the market.

WFP also provides the air transport service, providing humanitarian and development actors with safe, reliable and economical transport to the regions of Mopti, Gao, Menaka, Timbuktu and Kayes, which provides access to the most vulnerable populations. vulnerable. The world's largest humanitarian agency also supports the government and its partners, through food and nutrition security analyzes, the provision of logistics services, and information and communication technologies.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Kayes-Koulikoro Field Office in Mali is responsible for the implementation of the new WFP Country Strategic Program (CSP) in the regions of Koulikoro, Sikasso and Kayes, under the overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director and the technical collaboration of Head of Programme. The regions of Koulikoro, Sikasso and Kayes are characterized by high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition due to difficult agro-climatic conditions and a high level of poverty, as documented by the most recent assessments in 2020. In recent years, this poverty has been exacerbated by shocks affecting crops and livestock, as well as by the effects of the political and security crisis that has affected the country since 2012. The combination of these factors has led to a gradual deterioration of resources, livelihoods and reduced the capacity of the population to cope with shocks. The region of Kayes is particularly affected by the phenomenon of seasonal migration, this situation was exacerbated in early 2020 by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the result of the last National Food and Nutritional Security Survey (ENSAN) carried out in December 2019, the transfer of money from the diaspora represents 12.6% of the income of the population of Kayes but with significant differences for some circles. This transfer has been drastically cut down by the economic effect of the COVID. The ongoing insecurity and armed conflicts in these regions further undermine food security while hampering the ability of WFP and its partners to access vulnerable groups, both for the delivery of assistance and monitoring. This situation has been further compromised by the COVID-19 pandemic, which further reduces contact with vulnerable population and has required that WFP and partners adapt their interventions. Given this situation it is critical that WFP would maintain its current implementation capacity while being able to respond to the evolving situation. This requires staffing of the Field-office with experienced staff members capable of coordinating the operational delivery of assistance while taking into account context-specific constraints, in the respect of the humanitarian principles and within the scope of WFP’s Country Strategic Plan 2020-2024.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direct supervision of Deputy Country Director, the Head of Field Office will undertake the following tasks:
1. Provide operational delivery support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
2. Support operational planning with respect to new displacement related to conflict or insecurity, with respect to initial assessment (done at the time of assessment) and articulation to a medium-term response (whether carried out by WFP or others).
3. Coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
4. Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
5. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
6. Develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, civil society, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security.
7. Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.
8. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials.
9. Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
10. Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Experience:
• 3-5 years’ experience in Programme management
• Has developed, or supported in the development of, multi-discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
• Has gained experience in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency situation.
• Has field experience via field rotations or working in a sub-office, and through field postings.
• Gained experience of analyzing political situations, assessing risk accurately and supporting managers and leaders in decision making that is sensitive to this.

• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.)
• Has gained experience managing mid-size financial budgets, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
• Has experience leading a mid-size to large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation in support of broad function or Country Office requirements.
• Participated in a moderately complex emergency operation/ development programme.
• Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a mid-size area
Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of French.

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