Programme Policy Officer (International Consultant) CST II

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer

Unit/Division: Programme Unit / CO Togo

Contract Type: International Consultancy / CST Level 2

Grade: CST II

Contract Duration: 11 months

Duty Station (City, Country): Lomé, Togo

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

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, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

WFP Togo is implementing a second-generation country strategic plan (CSP) which was approved by the Executive Board in June 2022 to cover the period from July 2022–December 2026. It enables WFP to reposition itself as a key player of SDG2 – Zero hunger – and to transition from exclusive direct assistance to increased advisory and enabling support to the Government, especially the design and piloting of the home-grown school feeding programme and its linkage to local food production and nutrition, logistics and climate adaptation. WFP country office in Togo is also operating the logistics corridor into central Sahel and hosts a global commodity management framework for WFP’s west and central Africa region (RBD).

Over the past year, the north of the country has been facing a critical security crisis that has particularly stressed the chronic and acute humanitarian needs of the vulnerable populations, especially in the Savanes region bordering with Burkina Faso. The spill-over effects of the crisis in the Sahel countries have led to the influx of thousands of Burkinabe refugees adding up another layer of social distress and humanitarian needs to the already-vulnerable host populations in the Savanes region. The Government with the support of UNHCR has started the registration of refugees, and so far about 6,500 people have been registered. However, in a recent letter from the Togo Minister of Security and Civil Protection sent to UNHCR, the number of refugees estimated by the government is 20,000 the number of IDPs is 32,000 (as of 03 March 2023). The Savanes region is undeniably the most food insecure part of the country, with 35% of the nationwide number of people living in IPC 3+, corresponding to 200,000 out of 570,000 people in dire need of food and nutrition assistance (Cadre Harmonise Nov 2022).

The post holder will report directly to the Deputy Country Director and will work in close collaboration with other units’ heads (e.g. Supply Chain, Finance and administration, Resources Management, Partnership and communication) to ensure that WFP programmes are coherently and aligned with the government roadmap 2025 and the United nations sustainable development framework 2023-2026.

JOB PURPOSE

The Togo Country Office is recruiting a Programme Policy Officer to strengthen its team and respond effectively to the increasingly growing need for assistance in Togo, especially in the North of the Country. He is implementing a second-generation country strategic plan (CSP) which was approved by the Executive Board in June 2022 to cover the period from July 2022–December 2026.

The post holder will work to ensure that WFP programmes are coherently and aligned with the government roadmap 2025 and the United Nations sustainable development framework 2023-2026. He/ She will liaise with the Regional Bureau of Dakar and the Head Quarters in Rome to follow programme guidance and implement the latest lessons learnt related to programmatic activities in Togo as well as explore new potential initiatives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

• Lead and inspire a team of diverse professionals, set, and follow up on priorities, manage performances and offer advice and opportunities for career and professional development
• Formulate WFP programme plans in line with both organisational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field in Togo.
• Provide advice and support to field offices delivering a complex portfolio of programmes to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies,
• Provide leadership in mobilising technical expertise on a wide range of programmes and policy issues including assessment, analysis, choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities and appropriate food products. Facilitate deployment and testing of innovative approaches and develop strategies to support government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
• Assist senior government stakeholders and other partners in identifying food assistance priorities and needs of the country and its people. Provide support and technical expertise for planning, development, and implementation of programmes to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition at national and sub-national levels.
• Develop operational and maintain established strategic partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work.
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums on subjects related to food security, nutrition, livelihoods, resilience, engagement in humanitarian, transition and development contexts and other related issues through direct participation, briefings, information products and other materials.
• Contribute to the design and resource mobilization efforts, including the development and drafting of project proposals and their budgets.
• Ensure constructive collaboration with other UN Agencies and participate to the different coordination meetings/inter Agency coordination and joint programming.
• Collaborate with the WFP Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) unit to establish sound monitoring systems and coordinate data gathering, ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
• Manage or oversee timely preparation and dissemination of analytical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
• Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set objectives within a significant budget.
• Take responsibility for incorporating gender and protection perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
• Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs.
• Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

• At least eight (8) years of professional experience [additional years of related work experience with a first university degree], with gradually increasing responsibilities in designing, implementing, and monitoring humanitarian and/or development programmes with international governmental or non-governmental organisations.
• Successful track record in supervising multinational and multifunctional teams in complex operational environments.
• Expertise in planning, prioritizing, and managing resources (assets, budgets, etc) efficiently.
• Ability to communicate with communities and negotiate with government/ partners in support of Country Office requirements.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Experience in education, particularly strong competencies in School Feeding Programme implementation and nutrition (especially nutrition sensitive value chains) and /or work with smallholder farmers.
• Knowledgeable and experienced of inter-agency coordination and joint programming.
• Experience in different programme approaches including different transfer modalities.
• Collaboration with government agencies to identify needs and implement food assistance programmes.
• Team leadership in strategic discussions.
• Have a passion for improving lives of millions of people living in poverty and hunger and solid experience in School Feeding Programmes.
• Have a solid background in managing teams and programmes in complex humanitarian and development contexts, you keep abreast of the latest policy developments on a range of humanitarian issues, including linking humanitarian and development action.
• Be highly adaptable and able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences who may not share the same technical knowledge.
• Prioritize and strike a balance between ideal goals and operational requirements and translate gender and protection objectives into tangible results on the ground.

Language:

Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of both English and French is required.

WHY WORK WITH US?

This is an opportunity for an exciting and challenging position in a multi-cultural and interdisciplinary team, based in a unique location, on a topic with high relevance. In addition, we offer:

➡️Meaningful and impactful careers:

Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve

➡️Continuous learning and training:

We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers

➡️Multicultural and stimulating work environment:

We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger

Join us to make a difference, watch this video to know more about us!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnaxfnNKdsM&t=7s

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: April 9, 2023

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting an inclusive work environment in which diversity is valued and where no form of discrimination is tolerated. We aim to achieve parity in our teams in Western Africa.

Qualified female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, 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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