Programme Policy Officer (Conflict Sensitivity and Social Cohesion), Consultant, Cotabato

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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 DETAILS

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

A recent Philippines Country Office (CO) analysis of the Humanitarian, Development, and Peace Nexus (HDPN) concluded that there are three broad opportunities to further strengthen programming: (1) systematizing context analysis and risk assessment; (2) strengthening integration and linkages of the full range of WFP programmes through a layered/simultaneous approach supported by necessary organizational changes; and (3) forging active coordination and partnerships with peace actors.

At the global level, the 2020 protection and accountability policy for ‘people-centred programming’ aims to shift WFP’s focus further towards the needs, preferences, and protection of affected populations by placing them at the centre of decision-making. WFP’s strategic alignment with the 2030 Agenda, provide the necessary framework to position the organisation to contribute simultaneously to humanitarian, development, and social cohesion outcomes.

However, a lack of purpose-built data systems and analytical capabilities to handle such ‘people-centred’ data limit the organisation’s ability to understand these risks and translate them into improved programming. It is imperative to expand and strengthen people-centred data systems and capabilities that are further fuelled by WFP’s broader digitalisation efforts, which create new responsibilities and opportunities for Population-Centred Programming.

To further strengthen programming based on the analysis of the HDPN, in 2020, WFP Philippines launched a pilot implementation of a measurement initiative called PRIME (Population Risk Indicator Measurement and Engagement). The second phase of PRIME was rolled-out in 2021-2022 and focused on creating shared evidence to trigger relational changes between the Government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and its population as a form of vertical social cohesion. It is now imperative to disseminate the results of PRIME internally and externally and to ensure that conflict sensitivity is placed in the foundation of all programme implementation.

At the same time, in the context of BARMM, although the Bangsamoro Transition Authority has made headway with the political track of the transition, key provisions in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) remain incomplete. Delays have caused growing frustration with the peace process in some quarters which if not properly managed, could bolster the appeal of militant groups among disgruntled constituencies. To support the stabilization process by providing socio-economic and peacebuilding investments, and accelerate access to sustainable livelihoods, food security and community security, WFP was appointed as the convening agency for the Joint Programme on the Conflict Transformation in BARMM. The UN Joint Programme will contribute to peaceful and inclusive communities, in line with the sustainable development efforts set out by the Philippine Development Plan, the Bangsamoro Regional Development Plan, and the UN Socioeconomic and Peacebuilding Framework in the Philippines 2020-2023.

Within this context, and under the supervision of the WFP Head of Programme with close coordination with the Head of Cotabato Sub Office and overall guidance from Deputy Country Director, the Consultant will be responsible for delivering the tasks as set out under the section of Key Accountabilities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Technical Support:

1. Provide technical guidance and support to the Cotabato Sub Office for an efficient and strategic implementation of the PRIME 2023 work plan in BARMM, ensuring regular updating and monitoring of the activities.
2. Provide technical guidance and support on the integration of conflict sensitivity nexus programming into the Country Office and Cotabato Sub Office’s existing tools and processes.
3. Develop guidance to tie up all activities in the Cotabato Office to relate it to the conflict transformation as part of the UN Joint Project conflict transformation implementation.
4. Providing technical guidance to Cotabato Sub Office for coordination of the UNJP in BARMM, ensure the monitoring of the operational risks, and support the reporting component.
5. Support the M&E teams to pilot test the WFP monitoring and performance indicators associated with conflict sensitivity and social cohesion and examine the relevance and effectiveness of those indicators to measure the impact on social cohesion.
6. Where appropriate, support the Cotabato sub office with policy briefs and the development of methods whereby improved evidence from PRIME could lead to analyses and materials on peacebuilding.

Collaboration and Partnership:

1. Engage with corporate policy and strategic framework by providing feedback on the utility/effectiveness of existing corporate tools for PRIME and conflict sensitivity and providing input into the development of new corporate tools and policies, strategies and guidance as relevant to the Headquarters.
2. Lead the forging of active coordination and partnerships with peace actors at BARMM and national levels such as with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Process (OPAPRU), other UN Agencies, I/NGOs, academics and other interlocutors such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on joint assessments and opportunities for collaboration.
3. Represent WFP in relevant inter-agency fora for peacebuilding such as Peace Pillar meetings and support any required reporting of the fora.

Capacity Strengthening:

1. Identify capacity strengthening needs and facilitate capacity building, including training on conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding for WFP staff, government partners and cooperating partners (CP); and develop relevant Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on this work.
2. Continue the dissemination of the methodology of PRIME and support the government in the process of its implementation.
3. Develop a capacity-strengthening plan related to PRIME and Conflict Sensitivity for the BARMM government partners.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

Advanced university degree in a field relevant to humanitarian and development studies, performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of international experience in conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding programming, measurement, monitoring and evaluation, in a humanitarian context.
• Experience working in food security, humanitarian operations and fragile situations.
• Experience working in collaboration with a diverse array of humanitarian actors, including government partners, NGOs, UN agencies, civil society, and other relevant peace actors/stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating and facilitating meetings, and workshops, designing and facilitating capacity-strengthening activities.
• Experience in working in conflict and post-conflict contexts is desirable, especially in the BARMM context.
• Have sound knowledge of programme management in a fragile context.
• Experience in forming strong working relationships while working remotely with colleagues.
• Has engaged in policy discussion and provided input into policy decisions.
• Strong writing and communication skills; analysing and updating systems; analytical skills

Language:

Fluency in English. Working knowledge of Tagalog will be an advantage.

REMUNERATION PACKAGE

For Regular Consultant:

• Approximate monthly salary is a minimum of USD 6,000 and a maximum is USD 9,100
• Medical insurance scheme

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is on 3 January 2023, Tuesday, 11:59 pm (Manila time). Qualified candidates are required to complete an online candidate profile on UN WFP Careers Website https://www.wfp.org/careers. Only applications received on this website are considered valid and will be processed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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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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