Programme Policy Officer – CST II (Resilience & Livelihood)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer – CST II (Resilience & Livelihoods)

Unit/Division: Programme Unit / CO Togo

Contract Type: International Consultancy / Regular CST

Grade: CST II

Contract Duration: 11 months

Duty Station (City, Country): Kara, 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).

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to support resilience operations in the northern regions of Togo, ensure the effective and efficient management of WFP programs and activities in these regions, the establishment and maintenance of relationships with local governments, United Nations agencies United Nations and other partners in the field to strengthen the visibility of WFP within the framework of the implementation of the activities of the CSP Togo 2022-2026.

The post holder will report directly to the Head of Field Office 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.

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

1. Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
2. Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
3. Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
4. Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes, and activities.
5. Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
6. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects, and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
7. Support the identification, development, and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.
8. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners, and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g., through providing inputs into training materials.
9. Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
10. Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in international development, economics, nutrition/health, agriculture, environmental science, social science, or other relevant field to international development assistance, or first university degree with additional years of work experience and /or training/courses

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience with progressively increasing responsibilities in the design, implementation, and monitoring of humanitarian programs with international governmental or non-governmental organizations.
• Expertise in planning, prioritization, and effective management of resources (assets, budgets, etc.).
• Ability to communicate with communities and negotiate with government/partners in support of country office requirements.

Language:

• Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) in French is required.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of English would be an asset.

Desired experiences for entry into the role:

• Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.

Competencies:

• Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance
• Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher)
• Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.)
• Emergency Programming
• Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government

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: June 21, 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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