Programme Policy Officer – Social Protection

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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.

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Job Title: Programme Policy Officer – Social Protection

Grade: NOB

Type of contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 12 months

Duty Station: Suva, Fiji

Vacancy Number: 828330

Date of Publication: Thursday 13 July 2023

Deadline of Application: Saturday 29 July 2023

This vacancy announcement is for Nationals from CO Fiji.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

WFP’s Pacific presence commenced in 2015 at the request of the Government of Fiji through a humanitarian operation providing emergency cash-based transfers (CBT) as a top up to the national social protection scheme. Subsequently WFP opened an office in Suva, Fiji focusing on preparedness and humanitarian coordination in the areas of logistics emergency telecommunications, food security and CBT. In 2021 and 2022, WFP conducted social protection scoping studies for Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu to understand the framework of social protection systems in five countries of the Pacific and identify programmatic opportunities for capacity strengthening of national counterparts and shock-responsive social protection.

COVID-19 has rapidly changed the picture of shock-responsive social protection in the Pacific. Some Pacific governments have turned to social protection as an instrument for mitigating the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19, thus increasing experience on using social assistance and social insurance to support people impacted by shocks.

WFP is currently building a programme portfolio in supporting social protection systems to be more responsive to shocks and building greater resilience to the impacts of climate change as it rapidly changes the face of food security and nutrition in the region. With an overarching priority on capacity strengthening of national systems and institutions, priority actions include, supporting access to parametric insurance for vulnerable groups, strengthening systems for cash based transfers whether pre- (as anticipatory action) or post-disaster, strengthening links to national disaster management authorities, information dissemination, early warning messaging, data management including database strengthening and targeting, risk and vulnerability assessments and strengthening transfer modalities.

In line with World Food Programme's (WFP) Multi-Country Strategic Plan 2023-27 (MCSP) in the Pacific to support WFP’s work on strengthening national social protection systems to be more responsive to shocks and disasters, WFP is looking to onboard a Programme Coordinator for Social Protection based in its multi country office in Fiji.

The position will sit within the Pacific Multi Country Office programme/food security unit, reporting to the Head of Programme and working closely across units, including RAM (data team), logistics, Emergency Telecommunications as well as liaising closely with WFP staff and partners across the Pacific.

JOB PURPOSE

As part of the Pacific MCO Programme team, provide support to WFP’s programme in the pacific through operational leadership of WFP’s work on social protection in the Pacific region.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Lead WFP’s work on enhancing the responsiveness of social protection systems to strengthen food security and nutrition in the Pacific, including supporting the design and implementation of a regional as well as national frameworks for WFP's social protection work under the Pacific multi-country strategic plan.
• Support WFP’s capacity strengthening of national governments, systems and institutions to meet food security needs in a way that is inclusive and promotes gender equality. Work with government counterparts and partners to identify and analyse social policy problems and provide or mobilize capacity strengthening support including technical expertise to support the design and delivery of suitable social protection solutions.
• Coordinate WFPs contribution to context-specific shock responsive social protection initiatives in line with WFP’s international experience, regional frameworks, and strategies, including the WFP Pacific multi-country strategic plan. This includes coordinating specific analysis, reports and strategies for a cash-based response to disasters, operationalising anticipatory action as well as scaling up of climate risk parametric insurance for social welfare beneficiaries in several countries of the Pacific.
• Support WFP’s positioning on social protection and cash-based transfers with relevant key ministries in selected countries of the Pacific, by identifying key needs, priorities, gaps and challenges related to social protection and climate change/disaster risk management, map key events to which WFP should contribute to, draft briefs and talking points for senior management, collate evidence-based knowledge management and identify and capitalise on WFP entry points.
• Be responsible for portfolio-based budgeting and project management related to social protection projects, including budget plans, scenario-based planning, cash flows, and contract management.
• Support strategic partnerships with government and national institutions, donors, UN, CROP agencies and non-UN system organizations in all social protection fora and coordination mechanisms.
• Represent WFP during meetings with partners to contribute to technical discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience, and seek for appropriate interventions (based on an evidence base), and areas for potential collaboration.
• Support funding proposals, reports, and briefing documents for donors.
• Any other duties as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Advanced Degree in Social Policy, Disaster Management, International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Environmental Science or other field relevant to international development assistance, or,
• A first level University (Bachelors) degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience and /or trainings/ courses.

EXPEREINCE:

• At least 3years or more of professional experience in a relevant field of work, especially in social protection, resilience, or disaster risk management, with a background and interest in international humanitarian and development work.
• Has participated in design and implementation of programmes focusing on food security, social welfare, cash-based transfer, climate change and disaster risk management including country capacity strengthening.
• Has experience working at strategic policy level.
• Has contributed to implementation of programmes and has experience in, resource mobilization and partnerships.
• Experience and knowledge of cash-based transfers, forecast based financing, anticipatory actions, and/or last mile climate services an advantage.
• Has experience working with/for governments.
• Ability to work with a technical and diverse team, take initiative while maintaining a strong teamwork attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build strategic relationships.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Full computer literacy.
• Good command of spoken and written English.
• Good knowledge of humanitarian and development working modalities.
• Knowledge of UN rules is an asset.
• Behavioral competencies such as action management, client orientation, cognitive capacity, innovation, partnering and teamwork.
• Has excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, good drafting skills, and ability to work in a team.
• Proven understanding of the Pacific context.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English.

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

• Leading by example with integrity,
• Driving results and delivering on commitments,
• Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,
• Applying strategic thinking,
• Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via ( https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.

Request for Disability related Reasonable Accommodations:

It is important to WFP to create an accessible and inclusive workplace for everyone. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. WFP is committed to an accessible, inclusive recruitment process. Please contact us at global.inclusion@wfp.org to advise us of any disability related reasonable accommodation or accessibility requests you may have. A member of the reasonable accommodation team will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs. This email is only to be used for any disability related accessibility requirements and not for sending the application itself. Due to the volume of applications, any applications or CVs sent through this email address will not be considered a formal application and will not receive a reply from WFP.

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

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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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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