Program Policy Officer – School Based Programme SC8 – Beirut, Lebanon
– This position is open to qualified Lebanese candidates only.
– Female candidates in particular, are encouraged to apply.
– Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
This Vacancy Announcement will close on 19 September 2022 at 11:59 PM Rome Time.
Contract Duration: 12 Months (Renewable based on business need and performance)
Job Purpose:
Under its School-Based programme, WFP intends to expand the scope of technical assistance provided to MEHE through strengthening their capacity for monitoring and reporting on school feeding programme, and developing a national school feeding policy and strategy, with the ultimate goal of helping the Government of Lebanon to build its national school feeding programme.
To address the above, the Country Office is seeking a Programme and Policy Officer (SC 8) to provide support to the technical assistance programme activities. We are looking for someone who has ample experience in working in or with the public sector in Lebanon.
The incumbent will work under the close support and guidance of the Head of the School-Based programme Unit, within the Programmes Unit of the Country Office. The position is linked to a project fund for 12 months duration, and the contract may be extended based on funds availability and satisfactory performance.
Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):
Under the supervision of the Head of the School-Based programme Unit, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
- Assist the unit management in coordinating and implementing Systems Approach to Better Education Results (SABER) – School Meals, liaising with an international facilitator based in WFP HQ, with WFP relevant stakeholders, Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Lebanon, and other relevant Ministries.
- Facilitate the establishment of a coordination structure with government counterparts from relevant Ministries to ensure the information exchange between the government and WFP.
- Through the established coordination mechanism, facilitate a stakeholder mapping exercise to define sub-national entities and schools to be consulted and determine the scope of the data collection.
- Coordinate a series of internal and external consultations with relevant entities, including Ministries representatives defined by the established coordination structure to support the study/research process by identifying, obtaining, and analyzing information and available documentation.
- Coordinate the organization and implementation of a validation workshop, liaising with the international facilitator and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to present and validate the study results with relevant stakeholders.
- Provide technical and analytical inputs for the final documentation report of Lebanon SABER-SF to be prepared by the international facilitator jointly with Government counterparts.
- Support the implementation of South-South Triangular Cooperation to support the advocacy efforts and the capacity strengthening activities with MEHE, especially on the policy and strategy development.
- Collaborate with internal counterparts in various programme units and other divisions such as procurement, finance, and others to ensure effective design, alignment, and delivery of WFP School Meals' government technical assistance component.
- Participate in the preparation of workshops and seminars for the governmental counterparts and schools' personnel to enhance their capacity and strengthen the mechanisms put in place.
- Support in the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
- Support the implementation of the new Gender Policy the UN Disability Inclusion strategy in their daily business
- Perform other related duties as required.
Standard Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, development economics, public administration, or another related field or Bachelor's university degree with additional years of related work experience.
Experience:
- Three years of professional relevant work experience working with government and/or UN agencies on humanitarian and/or development issues and/or policies development
- Experience in evidence generation such as research, study related to development issues and/or social policies
- Experience in primary and secondary data collection through interviews and review of relevant documents, reports, regulations, and policies
- Experience carrying out analytical work
- Experience working with technical experts and integrated inputs from multiple stakeholders and government
Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in Arabic and English. Fluency in French is an advantage.
Desired Experiences for entry into the role:
- Understanding of the national political context and arrangements for national, provincial, and municipal level of social programme
- Good facilitation skills proven by previous assignments are required
- Experience in liaising with government officials, local stakeholders, cooperatives, organizations, and companies, among others, is preferred
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and proven ability to work in a collaborative setting and/or partnership building and managing
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in multicultural settings involving a large number of stakeholders
- Ability to work independently, produce high-quality outputs, and meet deliverables with minimal supervision
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
