Programme Policy Officer (Emergency Preparedness and Response), NOA

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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

JOB RELATED KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer (Emergency Preparedness & Response)
Grade: NOA
Type of contract: Fixed Term
Duration: 12 months
Duty Station: Dushanbe
Vacancy Number: 285248
Date of Publication: 11 January 2023
Deadline of Application: 25 January 2023

BACKGROUND

Despite positive economic growth and progress in poverty reduction, Tajikistan is still facing a challenging food security and nutrition situation. Recent economic challenges compounded by population growth have contributed to the reclassification of the country as low-income in 2018 while the COVID pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has further increased household vulnerability. Malnutrition rates remain the highest in Central Asia, and the number of undernourished has remained stagnant. Tajikistan faces different environmental challenges, including environmental and soil degradation and poor natural resource management. Additionally, Tajikistan is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which has further exacerbated food security and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Given the above, the government has identified food security and access to quality nutrition as one of its development priorities.

In Tajikistan, WFP will commence its Country Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026 in tandem with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) covering the same period. By means of the CSP, WFP is undertaking a strategic shift from direct implementation to enabling and strengthening capacities of national and subnational institutions to deliver on their food security and nutrition priorities. WFP activities support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The geographic scope of WFP Tajikistan operations encompasses the entirety of the country. In addition to the country office in Dushanbe, WFP has field offices located in Bokhtar, Gharm, Khorog, and Khujand to oversee operations in those specific regions.

WFP responds to government requests following small-scale natural disasters or other emergencies. Natural disasters are recurrent in Tajikistan and their impact and frequency have increased as a result of climate change. Activities will be implemented in partnership with the Committee on Emergency Situations and Civil Defence and other national and subnational authorities, UN agencies, international and local nongovernmental organizations and private sector entities.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

With simultaneous ongoing crises in the region and globally affecting Tajikistan, and to maintain WFP’s leading role in supporting the Government of Tajikistan in emergency response, the focus of this post will be on developing emergency preparedness and response (EPR) capacity for protecting food security and nutrition, including through climate services and early warning, in the event of crises caused by conflict, political instability, socioeconomic shocks, agricultural failures or natural disasters. In parallel to EPR, supporting the development of state social protection schemes that provide access to food and create productive assets for strengthening capacities to respond to shocks is also critical.

The above-described initiatives require enhanced capacity at the country office level and strong coordination with internal and external stakeholders. The incumbent will specifically manage EPR and disaster risk reduction and management (DRR/DRM), as well as recovery activities for resilience building, all of which include strong external coordination with government counterparts. The incumbent will also provide broader support to the overall WFP portfolio.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Reporting directly to the Head of Programme and in close collaboration with the Supply Chain unit, the incumbent is expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Emergency Preparedness and Response and Disaster Risk Reduction/Disaster Risk Management
• Develop a strategy/implementation plan and standard operating procedures for EPR and DRR/DRM to reflect a consolidated approach with Government of Tajikistan regulations;
• Coordinate effective and efficient implementation of EPR, DRR/DRM and resilience-building recovery activities that support food security-related disaster risk reduction and incorporate (as applicable) both in-kind and cash-based assistance as well as capacity development;
• Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of an EPR package, including supporting a) the identification and implementation of mandatory minimum preparedness action; b) identifying contextual risks and c) updating the risk registry accordingly;
• Take a leading and collaborative role in planning and coordinating emergency responses and recovery activities;
• Lead cross-functional analysis, including context analysis to inform EPR and DRR/DRM;
• Lead the country office’s EPR working group and facilitate cross-functional coordination (especially with the National Logistics Planning Working Group) to ensure that EPR and DRR/DRM is delivered in a coherent, integrated and efficient manner;
• Lead preparation of emergency assessment capacities, contingency planning, scenario building and concept of operations to ensure adequate operational readiness and where feasible, a transition plan for more sustainable emergency responses that include recovery activities;
• Provide advice on operationalization and integration of a multi-dimensional approach to humanitarian access across concepts of operations, access strategies, workplans and, as required, Country Strategic Plans;
• Monitor emerging humanitarian and food security trends and potential socioeconomic and political instability to identify risks and strategies for preparedness and risk reduction before crisis occurs;
• Provide timely situational updates to senior management and a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure effective decision-making as well as required external support;
• Function as focal point to WFP headquarters and regional bureau for matters related to EPR and DRR/DRM;

2. Governmental and Interagency Coordination and Capacity Development
• Engage at strategic and technical levels with key government officials directly or indirectly involved in decision making related to emergency and disaster response, with line ministries (e.g., the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense), and other government entities at central and subnational levels;
• Draft correspondence and agreements (e.g., Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Agreement, etc.) with government counterparts in English and support the translations of final versions;
• Represent WFP in and contribute to national emergency/disaster response and management platforms (such as the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team, Refugee Response Mechanism, Interagency Cash Working Group, and relevant Development Coordination Council working groups);
• Provide support to WFP and interagency contingency planning and simulation exercises;
• Support the capacity building of WFP country office and field staff, partners, and government counterparts in the portfolio of EPR and DRR/DRM, travelling to the field as necessary;
• Support interagency efforts and approaches under the Delivering as One approach, which may include (but is not limited to) consolidated district development plans, joint advocacy, joint programming, etc.;

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3. Resource Mobilization and Operational Support
• Research, develop, and diversify programming through sourcing and obtaining alternative funding streams, including through initiation of concept notes and proposals;
• Proactively advise and support on mobilization of WFP resources and capabilities for an effective and sustainable emergency response;
• Leverage available funding mechanisms, partnership networks and communication and advocacy platforms to raise visibility of the emergency operation and requirements;
• Identify opportunities to secure additional emergency staff and non-staff resources from external partners, engaging with relevant actors and stakeholders;
• Identify and leverage technological tools and solutions to enhance emergency response effectiveness and efficiency;
• Manage documentation of negotiations and agreements with cooperating partners and other stakeholders (inclusive of a potential partner roster, field level agreement development, and cooperating partner reporting and performance evaluations);
• Support the development of standard operating procedures, monitoring and reporting formats, and other guidance documents;
• Provide support to the field offices and cooperating partners to assist in initiating projects and ensure compliance with agreements and contracts, traveling to the field as necessary;
• Support data collection efforts of WFP and/or joint initiatives, as required;
• Coordinate inputs to all reporting requirements and development of advocacy/communication materials as relates to EPR, DRR/DRM and recovery activities;

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4. Leadership and Management
• Serve as a key advisor to management on all matters related to the emergency response;
• Promote/advocate for application of WFP’s emergency guidance and protocols;
• Lead the development of functional training and documentation of lessons learned to promote good knowledge management practices ensuring improvement of future emergency responses;
• Lead, motivate and develop an EPR team (either dedicated staff or delegated focal points) to enable high performance;
• Take responsibility for an equitable and inclusive workplace which incorporates all dimensions of the WFP diversity and inclusion framework;
• Support the implementation of the WFP Tajikistan CSP through ensuring cross-cutting efforts such as nutrition-sensitivity, gender and diversity inclusion, protection and accountability, and capacity development, are integrated throughout the portfolio and to ensure equal participation and consideration of women and men, boys and girls, and people living with specific needs and/or disabilities;

Any other business.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

• At least 1 year of postgraduate professional experience in EPR or DRM/DRR with advanced university degree OR additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses with first university degree

• Has actively supported and been engaged in small to medium scale emergency operations and has led or participated in strategy planning within a mid-size, moderately complex country or equivalent environment;

• Has taken an active role in negotiations with donors/government officials on multiple issues of moderate complexity;

• Has experience in humanitarian operations roles as (but not limited to) a programme or project officer, team leader, supply chain officer, head of field office or equivalent;

• Experience in developing and implementing cash-based activities is highly desired;

• Has demonstrated leadership in a variety of contexts, including in emergencies;

• Has experience working in collaboration with a diverse array of humanitarian actors, including governments, NGOs, UN agencies, civil society, etc.

Education: Advanced university degree preferably in social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, international relations/development/affairs, logistics, supply chain management, business administration or other related fields of study, or first university degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or advanced training/courses.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Fluency in oral and written Russian or Tajik is required.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Excellent analytical and communication skills demonstrated through preparation of well-analysed and comprehensive plans and reports;
• Provision of sound technical advice, training and guidance to technical colleagues and practical advice to managers for the formation of action plans and strategies;
• Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite;

COMPETENCIES

• Leads by example with integrity;
• Drives results and delivers on commitments;
• Fosters inclusive and collaborative teams;
• Applies strategic thinking;
• Builds and maintains sustainable partnerships.

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WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. All selected candidates will, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

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