Programme Policy Officer – Cash Based Transfers (P3)

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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 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.

WHO WE ARE

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.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, 11 April, 2023 (11:59 PM CEST).

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer attractive compensation package (please refer to Terms and Conditions section)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The West Africa Region is facing several recurrent and protracted crises, which combined with the economic effects of the crisis in Ukraine and climate-related disasters, have left the West Africa region in the most severe food insecurity situation since 2014. According to the recent Cadre Harmonise analysis, 48 million people are projected to face food insecurity, 12% higher compared to 2022. The increasing levels of food insecurity are the direct product of escalating conflict and increasing economic volatility. The economic volatility is being driven by the two key issues of sharp increases in food prices (ranging from 5% to 200%) and a reduction in household income. These two issues have resulted in the erosion of households’ purchasing power, driving more and more households into food insecurity.

In line with WFP’s mandate, WFP has been responding to the unprecedented crisis across the region through the provision of food assistance, addressing root causes, and supporting governments to increase their capacity to build resilient and robust social assistance programmes. Recognizing the transformational power of cash assistance for household food security, market development, and gender empowerment, WFP has been increasingly shifting towards the utilization of cash-based transfers (CBT) as a delivery modality.

WFP is the largest agency delivering cash assistance globally, having globally delivered over $3.1 billion USD in 2022. A large body of evidence has now shown that cash has a higher impact than any other type of assistance by placing vulnerable people at the centre of aid and empowering them to meet their essential needs in local markets. Cash assistance places choice directly in the hands of beneficiaries, enabling them to make purchases within their local markets further bolstering local economies.

The RBD (REGIONAL BUREAU DAKAR) region began using CBTs as an assistance modality in 2009 and has steadily grown its use of CBTs over the last 11 years. In 2022, the Western Africa region transferred $426 million USD to over 8.3 million people, which represents 43% of the total regional assistance portfolio.

With a large and growing CBT portfolio, the RBD CBT Strategy for 2021-2023 aims to advance the region’s CBT by moving “Towards a more mature, digital, financially inclusive, and integrated cash programming in the West Africa Region”. This strategy was developed cross-functionally at the Regional Bureau and builds upon initiatives underway within the Regional Bureau and Country Offices, and the global Cash Based Transfer Division priorities for 2021-2022. The intention of the strategy is to provide guidance to the cross-functional teams in the Regional Bureau and Country Offices on key CBT priorities and goals.

ABOUT THE ROLE

A Cash-Based Transfers Programme Policy Officer engages in a broad range of policy and programmatic areas reflective of WFP dual mandate – development and emergency. He/she has the knowledge and skills to deal with various transfer modalities and to apply the most appropriate ones throughout the design, delivery set-up, implementation, and monitoring phases of the project life. The global objective of the cash-based transfers officer is to support countries to end hunger and deliver high-quality programmes basing his/her actions on the concept of cost efficiency and effectiveness. Programme effectiveness is the main driving principle to which CBT advisor refers at any stage of the assistance. Innovative thinking as well as flexibility to effectively adapt to contexts are essential skills required. As all Programme Policy Officers, CBT advisor plays a key role across the policy formulation and programme management to ensure that WFP policy and programming will contribute to an impactful and sustainable change in saving and changing lives.

We are seeking a Cash-Based Transfers Programme Policy Officer to support WFP CBT in the West and Central Africa region, based in Dakar – RBD and reporting to the Regional Cash-Based Transfer Advisor within the Regional Programme Support Unit.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision of Regional Cash-Based Transfer Advisor and working in close collaboration with the other programme and relevant RBD units (e.g., Nutrition, EPR (Emergency Preparedness and Response), Supply Chain, RAM (Research, Assessment, and Monitoring), Finance, and Technology (TEC), the Cash-Based Transfers Programme Policy Officer will perform the following:

• Advice on WFP’s CBT programme strategy in line with the organizational strategy, WFP-wide programme policies and context in the field; translate the CBT programme strategy and WFP-wide programmes and policies into Regional/Country level practices, programme guidance and implementation modalities and operations;
• Ensure that CBT operations are consistent and in line with corporate policies, Executive Board decisions and audit recommendations. Provide technical advice on a wide range of CBT, programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of most appropriate transfer modality and delivery mechanism, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies;
• Manage the design team of the CBT unit overseeing key team members working on supporting the design and set-up of CBT operations, transfer value calculations, financial inclusion, and key linkages with other units such as nutrition, resilience, and social protection;
• Look for and advocate for more sustainable/innovative solutions in the cash delivery system specifically in relation to mainstreaming financial inclusion;
• Serve as the primary focal point and cross-functional coordinator for the contracting of financial service providers. Ensure there is close coordination amongst involved units (programme, TEC, finance, procurement) to provide the needed support to operations;
• Ensure that cash-based transfers and financial inclusion are incorporated into Country Strategic Plans (CSPs) and work jointly with the Programme Cycle Team and Country Offices in defining their new CSPs with a specific focus on transfer modalities and financial inclusion mainstreaming;
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums related to CBT and other programmatic areas such as food security, nutrition, livelihoods, resilience, gender equality, or engagement in humanitarian, transition and development contexts and other related issues Be aware of the international humanitarian cash policies, of the positioning of some donors in relation to cash assistance, of the Grand Bargain principles and related WFP’s standing and, act accordingly when representing WFP in humanitarian fora;
• Encourage the use of cash-based transfer programmes through government social safety systems when possible and applicable;
• Manage or oversee operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food and cash assistance, ensuring the integration of cross-cutting issues;
• Support in advocating for resources mobilisation for a broad portfolio of WFP programmes, clearly articulating the need for CBT and related programme opportunities;
• Advise and request development of functional CBT training to enhance the capacity of WFP employees and partners for the design and deliver of effective food assistance programmes;
• Lead, motivate and develop a competent and diverse team to enable high performance;
• Take responsibility for incorporating gender in all areas of work for inclusive, participatory and equitable programming that delivers gender equality results in food security and nutrition; and,
• Serve as Officer in Charge when the Regional Cash-Based Transfer Advisor is away from the office.
• Other tasks as required and assigned by the senior management.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced University degree (or equivalent experience) preferably in International Affairs, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Science, Business Administration, Public Policy or another field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional with gradually increasing responsibilities in relevant work experience in private or public sector demonstrating high performance and leadership capacity.
• Working experience in CBT programming in diverse contexts.
• Field experience to support the setting up and/or running of CBT operations especially in emergency context.
• Vast and strong experience in the design, set-up, implementation and evaluation of various transfer modality programs, including the integration of cross-cutting issues (gender, disability, climate change etc.), resource mobilization and funds management.
• Previous work experience related to transfers in social safety net and/or emergency settings and relations with governments is highly valued.
• Experience in West and Central Africa is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in both written and spoken French and English (Level C in both).

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Excellent understanding of CBT programming and proven ability to assess, design, implement and monitor CBT programmes, preferably in complex emergencies and protracted crisis situations; Solid understanding of CBT programming related to food security and nutrition.
• Solid understanding of the theory and application of food security, nutrition and safety net programmes.
• Solid understanding of essential needs analysis and programming.
• Strategy development, coordination, action planning and capacity development skills.
• Knowledge of cross-cutting areas, such as protection, accountability to affected populations, gender and conflict-sensitive approaches and climate change – in programme implementation.
• Knowledge of financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment.
• Awareness about social protection, especially knowledge of policies and practices around long-term financial opportunities for the poor and vulnerable.
• The ability to identify, establish, and oversee relevant multi-sectorial partnerships for complementary programme design and implementation.
• Coordination skills and ability to work with internal and external partners.
• Proven ability and experience in the development of interagency networks, partnerships, strategies and communications initiatives.
• Proficiency in Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, Power point, Outlook).
• Initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Good leadership and successful record of accomplishment in supervising multinational and multidisciplinary teams in complex operational environment.
• Expertise in planning, prioritizing, and managing resources (assets, budget etc.) efficiently.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity – Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others
Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments – Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change
Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork – Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth
Applies Strategic Thinking – Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things
Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships – Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days' annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Dakar, Senegal to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• 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 wfRrecruitment@wfR.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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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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