Country Strategic Planning (CSP) formulation Consultant

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JOB DETAILS

JOB TITLE: Country Strategic Planning (CSP) Consultant TYPE OF CONTRACT: WAE International CST JOB GRADE: Junior CST UNIT/ DIVISION: Programme DUTY STATION: Home-based with in-country visits to Manila, Philippines CONTRACT DURATION: From October 2022 to December 2022 (60 days) with the possibility of extension

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.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

2021 marked a milestone for WFP as all Country Offices now have an Executive Board-approved Country Strategic Plan (CSP) or Interim Country strategic Plan (ICSP) in place. Concluding the first generation of CSPs comes at a critical time as the United Nations system moves towards the next generation of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) – now renamed UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

The UNSDCF is becoming the central governing and management document for all UN development activities including related elements in CSPs, while the Humanitarian Response Plan continues to guide humanitarian operations. The increased authority of the UNSDCF has implications on WFP’s country strategic planning approach – going forward, all CSPs must be aligned with the UNSDCF both in terms of content and cycle.

The strategic focus and operations of WFP’s Country Office in the Philippines (PHL CO) is currently being guided by the WFP Country Strategic Plan (“CSP”; 2018-2023), which was preceded by a Transitional CSP (“T-ICSP, January-June 2018).

Looking ahead, WFP Philippines is preparing for the successive next generation CSP (2024 – 2028), which, at the overall level, needs to be guided by the WFP Strategic Plan 2022-2025. WFP CO also needs to be ready to proactively engage in UNSDCF discussions in order to strategically position WFP and align with the UN’s broader development contribution. Starting with the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and RCO PF evaluation, this is a unique opportunity to foster WFP’s role at country level and carve out the necessary space for food security and nutrition programmes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The PHL CO needs support to conduct country strategic planning activities leading to creation and approval of the new CSP. The main outputs are the drafting of the Line of Sight and CSP narrative based on the participation in (1) the CSP Evaluation debriefings and workshops, (2) Theory of Change workshops, (3) RCO PF (or ‘SEPF’) evaluation and CCA processes, as well as (4) the facilitation of CSP consultation workshops.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Country Strategic Planning Consultant will perform part or all the following tasks:

1. CCA/UNSDCF: In close coordination with the Regional Bureau and Headquarters Programme Cycle teams, support the Country Office’s inter-agency engagement around the CCA/UNSDCF process at country level. In particular, help represent at technical level meetings and enable WFP’s appropriate role in CCA workstreams and UNSDCF results groups related to food security and nutrition, social protection, disaster risk reduction and climate change.

2. Support the Country Office management in its strategic engagement with country stakeholders before, during and after UNSDCF design and during the evaluation process. This also includes supporting the consolidation of WFP inputs to the CCA, as well as contributing to the new UNSDCF design process. Support will include working closely with the Head of Programme and the WFP Results/”pillar’ group leads on the UNSDCF (‘SEPF’) as well as CO programmatic leads.

3. During the CCA process, working closely with the WFP CO Programme and RAM teams, ensure food security and nutrition elements are taken into consideration and well-captured. Support the Country Office to leverage WFP’s body of analytics such as food security and nutrition assessments, furnishing them to the UN Country Team as part of the CCA analytical inputs.
4. Support early engagement with FAO, UNICEF, IFAD and other food security and nutrition actors including government, civil society organisations and private sector (SBN) to jointly advocate for the inclusion of zero hunger related issues in the CCA/UNSDCF, based on quality data.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Contd.)

d. Counsel and support Country Office’s participation in broader UN Country Team discussions and comment on the emerging CCA/UNSDCF documents.

e. Support the Country Office in aligning the current strategic planning cycle with the UNSDCF through a Budget Revision (by end 2022).

2. CSP design/development: In close coordination with Regional Bureau and Headquarters’ Programme Cycle teams, assist and guide the Country Office in the design and development of the CSP strategic orientation, in accordance with WFP’s Policy and guidelines on Country Strategic Plans and informed by the CCA and UNSDCF priorities in line with country context including national development plan focus and related stakeholder discussions.

1. Formulate the CO internal CSP development and approval plan and detailed timeline, defining roles and responsibilities
2. Support the consolidation of inputs that will inform the country strategic planning design, including evaluation findings, Theory of Change (TOC), national frameworks and priorities, partners and stakeholders’ mapping, lessons learned, etc.
3. Help consolidate inputs from remote and in-country oversight/technical missions from the Regional Bureau/ Headquarters and develop operational and programmatic aspects of the CSP strategic orientation.
4. Support the Country Office to host a “CSP formulation workshop” to define the CSP strategic orientation (through developing a Theory of Change and results framework) and Line of Sight.
5. Support the Country Office to conduct a consultation process to inform and receive feedback from stakeholders on the design and strategic orientation of the CSP.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Contd.)

3. CSP narrative: In close coordination with Regional Bureau and Headquarters’ Programme Cycle teams, support the Country Office to plan and write the CSP narrative, and submit the full CSP package for timely review and approval.

1. Advise and support Country Office senior management and programme leads on coordination and delivery of the technical elements of the CSP package, including project management, information and knowledge management using corporate tools such as Microsoft Teams.
2. Take the lead on drafting the full CSP narrative and additional documents informing the CSP package including the Line of Sight.
3. Support the CSP review (sPRP and ePRP) and approval process in close coordination with the Regional Bureau and Headquarters and update the CSP package as needed.

TIMELINE AND DELIVERABLES

October 2022 (Virtual and in-country)

• Document review
• Participation in CSPE data collection exit debriefing,
• RCO SEPF evaluation and CCA processes

November 2022 ( 20 days in-country)

• Participation in ToC workshops
• Facilitation of CSP consultation workshop

December 2022 (Remote )

• Draft Line of Sight
• Outline CSP narrative

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced University Degree and/or equivalent experience with emphasis in one or more of the following disciplines: political sciences, economics, agriculture, international affairs, social sciences, development studies or a field relevant to international development or humanitarian assistance.

Experience

Language

At least 3 years post graduate, progressively responsible international and national experience in the fields of goal oriented/strategic planning, organizational change management, inter-agency coordination, programme re-orientation, policy development, etc. Specific experience in strategy formulation, programme management and project planning in a large multicultural institution in the field or headquarters is an asset. Previous experience with WFP on CSP preparation is a strong asset. Experience in the UN System is also an asset.

Excellent written and oral communications skills in English

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to plan and lead on the coordination of the CSP project deliverables, adhering to multiple deadlines and liaising with various stakeholders;
• Experience in translating into the CSP narrative an understanding of programme strategy principles underpinned by relevant, effective, and context specific approaches ;
• Strong writing and editing skills required to draft the CSP narrative, combined with solid analytical and research skills;
• Ability to communicate and advocate WFP projects and operations to counterparts, including Government and UN partners, clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Good understanding of project lifecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities;
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures;
• General knowledge of the UN Development System Reform;
• Good interpersonal skills, teamwork spirit and ability to work in multicultural settings.

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.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is on 20 September 2022, Tuesday at 11:59 pm (Manila time). Qualified candidates are required to complete an online candidate profile on UN WFP Careers Website (https://www.wfp.org/careers). Only applications received on this website are considered valid and will be processed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of 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.