Programme Policy Officer – Food Systems & Smallholder Agriculture and Markets Support (P4)

.

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Are you a seasoned programme policy professional interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operates in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

REGIONAL BUREAU DAKAR

The WFP Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa region is based in Dakar, Senegal. It supports 20 Country Offices (CO) in their program design and delivery, advocates for the integration of WFP corporate priorities (people at the center, organizational effectiveness, triple nexus, and digital transformation) into national policies and programs.

The Regional Bureau core functions are to provide strategic guidance, technical support, and operational oversight. The Bureau also advocates for initiative to strengthen the capacity of the government, private sector, and other actors involved in achieving SDG 2 and transforming national and regional food systems.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, 19 March, 2023 (11:59 PM CET).

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Resilience & Food Systems (RFS), the Programme Policy Officer for Food Systems & Smallholder Agriculture and Market Support will be responsible for providing technical assistance to WFP Country Offices in West and Central Africa, collaborate with other units to design, develop, and delivery an integrated package to target households, communities, and countries. The position holder will also champion system thinking among RBD countries, develop and foster internal and external partnerships. In addition, the incumbent will contribute to the development of best practices in the areas of climate-smart agriculture, development of agricultural systems, agricultural finance, value chain upgrading, market systems development as well as linkages and integrations to nutrition and inclusive and resilient supply chain outcomes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The incumbent will perform the following tasks for the Country Office and Field Offices:

• Build, maintain and lead a specialized team to support the delivery of WFP’s initiative in building systems to improve smallholder farmers’ productivity and access to markets through WFPs local food supply chains, other institutional markets, food processing industry and regional trade.
• Support the design and revision of Country Strategic Plans with respect to the Food Systems, SAMS and Postharvest Loss (PHL) components
• Support the implementation and linkages to WFPs policy on local and regional food procurement (LRFPP) towards contributing to building resilient food systems.
• Support the expansion of WFP’s program offering around resilient food systems.
• Coordinate all initiatives and programs aiming at strengthening the resilience and prosperity of smallholder farmers.
• Enhance the linkages between WFP and relevant line ministries and agribusinesses to support smallholder farmers.
• Collaborate closely with relevant UN agencies such as FAO, IFAD, and other partners in the implementation of all activities supporting smallholder farmers and build synergies between the different projects.
• Prepare donor proposals, reports, and visibility materials to highlight and advocate for the programme and to document good practices and lessons learned.
• Build capacity of WFP staff and partners to support the implementation of resilient food systems-related activities.
• Support integration of nutrition sensitivity and enhanced gender, youths and protection mainstreaming within the Food Systems/SAMS portfolio, through linkages with other units
• Identify and promote new tools, methods, and solutions to mitigate post-harvest losses and enhance quality among farming communities and food processing agribusinesses
• Provide regular updates to the RFS Unit and raise issues requiring management attention in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in one or more of the following: Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Business Administration, or other related fields, with additional years of related work experience.
Experience: Eight (8) years or more of postgraduate relevant work experience.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English and French languages.

MORE ABOUT YOU

Knowledge & Skills:

• Proven experience in planning and implementing Resilience, Food Systems, Market Systems Development, Livelihood, Climate Change, Inclusive Finance, Technical Assistance to Food Processors and Traders, and smallholder farmer projects,
• Ability to engage government ministries, department and agencies to develop policies and programs aiming to support the resilience of smallholder farming systems at national or sub-national level.
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate teams for efficient and effective delivery of results.
• Demonstrated knowledge of small and medium enterprises, smallholder procurement and commercial agriculture experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary to ensure WFP strategies and projects are well articulated to all stakeholders including beneficiaries, partners, local governments, ministries, private sector, and donors.
• Ability to assimilate and analyse complex issues using independent judgment and anticipate potential impact.
• Negotiation and motivational skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels within and beyond the organization.
• Tact and ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural background.
• Resourcefulness, initiative and problem-solving skills, strong client orientation for value chain stakeholders.
• Knowledge of various aspects of financial services and modelling is a bonus.
• Experience with large international organization(s) or business(es) a plus.
• Ability to frequently travel within the country.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
• Be a force for positive change: Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
• Create an inclusive culture: Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
• Focus on getting results: Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
• Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning
• Build strong external partnerships: Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

PLEASE NOTE BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• 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.
• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

.

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.

Apply For Job