Programme and Policy Officer (Social Protection and Value Chains) CST II

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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.

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.

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Programme and Policy Officer (Social Protection and Value Chains)

Contract Type: Consultant Level II

Unit/Division: Programme/Livelihood and Social Protection

Duty Station: Damascus, Syria

Contract Duration: Eleven months

Strategic Objective/Activity: SO2

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The conflict in Syria has entered its 12th year, taking a devastating toll on the lives of the Syrian people. Soaring food and fuel prices, stagnant salaries, loss of livelihoods, depletion of livelihood assets, and reduced food production have led to widespread food insecurity across the country. According to the latest Humanitarian Needs Overview, there are over 12 Mio people unable to meet their basic food needs and close to a further 2 million people at risk of falling into food insecurity. In recognition of the varying needs of the population, WFP has consistently diversified its portfolio of interventions over the past 2 years and expanded activities with a medium/longer-term objective, aiming to mitigate the longer-term impacts of the crisis, including the erosion of livelihoods and household resilience.

WFP Syria's resilience strategy includes three main pillars:

(i) Community-based asset rehabilitation, complemented by food for asset activities following an area-based approach

(ii) Restoration and enhancement of food value chains, in particular the bread value chain

(iii) Technical assistance to the national social protection system. WFP's resilience strategy in Syria is aligned national priorities, identified by various line ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR); the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR); the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection (MoITCP) and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MoSAL). Additionally, the strategy is aligned with nationally coordinated priorities across agencies as documented in the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and the UN Strategic Framework (UNSF).

JOB PURPOSE

Within the Livelihoods, Resilience and Social Protection team, the Social Protection Program Officer will be responsible for the Social Protection and Bread Value Chain components of the overall portfolio. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Livelihoods, Resilience and Social Protection team, and the overall supervision of the Head of Programme, and be responsible for the supervision of a team of national staff.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Social Protection Responsibilities:

1. Work closely with key governmental stakeholders (MoSAL, PICC and other) to identify social protection needs in Syria, in coordination with internal and external resources as needed.
2. Lead/Support the designing of social protection interventions in coordination with internal/external resources as needed.
3. Support positioning WFP as a partner-of-choice for the government and donors for social protection interventions, through establishing and maintaining strategic and operational partnerships and support related advocacy work within all relevant audiences.
4. In accordance with the WFP ICSP and the UNSF pillar on Social Protection, assist government counterparts to identify and analyze policy problems, and mobilize support and technical expertise for the design and delivery of suitable social protection solutions.
5. Act as the country office social protection focal point, ensuring a clear and strong connection between the field operations, Regional Bureau, and HQ.
6. Translate corporate and regional policies and strategies relevant to social protection into country-level practices.
7. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for WFP social protection activities, including by articulating a business case for WFP's contributions to social protection and exploring new potential resource channels.
8. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for the achievement of set social protection objectives within a moderate budget.
9. Advise and support the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage in social protection-relevant policy dialogues, program design and delivery.
10. Utilize WFP work around bread value chain as an entry poring to social protection subsidy systems analysis.
11. Act as the country office focal point for bread value-chain related activities vis-à-vis external and internal partners/stakeholders.
12. Manage the overall external coordination of the Bread Working Group (BWG).
13. Provide technical support to field offices and functional teams for the implementation of activities in support of the bread value chain.
14. Ensure coordination with other units (Engineering, Procurement, M&E, VAM) in the implementation of the unit activities.
15. Ensure coordination with and support to Field Office focal points for the smooth and timely implementation of the interventions, selection and prioritization of the activities, and monitoring.
16. Enhance WFP's leadership status in different forums pertinent to social protection.
17. Support the collection and analysis of data on selected food value chains, as well as the preparation for final reports.
18. Engage in technical and coordination forums around Social Protection, Bread Value chain and Livelihood, including with UN agencies, government counterparts (MoSAL, PICC, Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection and others), and additional relevant stakeholders.
19. Actively participate and represent WFP in relevant coordination platforms as needed (e.g. Food Security and Agricultural Sector, Early Recovery and Livelihoods sector, and others).

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Support the overall operations of the unit, including acting as deputy head of unit when needed.
2. Support, lead, motivate and develop the team skills and capabilities.
3. Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, Social Anthropology, or other fields relevant to Social Protection, or a First University Degree with two years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

Five or more years of professional experience relevant to social protection and/or value chains, resilience, livelihoods, preferably in relation to food security or nutrition programming or policy. Experience working across various programme types relevant to resilience and social protection (e.g. cash-transfer programmes, school feeding, public works/food assistance for assets, insurance programmes, coordination of technical working groups in relevant fields, coordination of asset rehabilitation). Experience leading a team and in humanitarian operations.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in verbal and written English. Working knowledge of verbal and written Arabic is an asset.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Knowledge and Skills:

• Understanding of WFP's mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, program and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation (desirable).
• Experience in project implementation and coordination among teams.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in-country capacity strengthening and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles.
• Ability to translate understanding of program principles and policies into relevant, effective, and context-specific approaches.
• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Aptitude for supervising, guiding and empowering staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, conveying an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative information to understand current and future social protection needs and identify solutions.
• Learning agility, and appetite for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organized manner.
• Ability to work as part of a team, participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others, regardless of gender, culture, background, experience, or country assignment.
• Moderate to proficient computer literacy

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for all applications is Monday 11 September 23:59 (Syria time).

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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.