Programme Policy Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The WFP Interim Strategic Plan (ICSP) is aligned with Burundi’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper II and focuses on Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17 while also contributing to goals for quality education, gender equality and climate action. The ICSP targets 2,5 million people over its duration across 5 different strategic outcomes and 8 activities, which include food assistance to crisis affected populations (refugees, returnees, and vulnerable local populations), school feeding for primary school children in support of the Ministry of Education, food assistance for assets in food insecure areas for increased resilience, nutritional support for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, support to smallholder farmers, capacity strengthening of the Government and other entities in early warning systems, food security analysis, management of food assistance, and service provision to the government and other humanitarian actors.

Starting March 1, 2022, WFP Burundi Country Office (CO) will implement a new interim country strategic plan (ICSP). The overarching goals of this ICSP are twofold: a) to support government policies, strategies institutions, operational systems and programmes that deliver towards resilient, nutritious and gender transformative food systems and b) to meet the emergency, nutrition and resilience needs of targeted populations.

WFP has a Country Office in Bujumbura, an Area Office in Ngozi and one Sub-office (Gitega) with a total of 219 staff. In order to support adequately the implementation of the new ICSP, the Ngozi Area Office needs the services of a Programme Policy Officer to coordinate programme operations.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Area Office Ngozi, and the general supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide overall coordination to Programme unit in Ngozi office and guidance to support staff, acting as a point of referral and assisting them with analysis and queries.
2. Supervise Programme staff based in Ngozi Office under overall supervision of the head of the Area Office
3. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
4. Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
5. Prepare and consolidate monthly distribution plans and Food Release Note to ensure timely preparation and delivery of food assistance to the beneficiaries
6. 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
7. Undertake visits of project sites for supervision or monitoring purposes
8. Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
9. 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.
10. Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes and activities.
11. 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.
12. Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.
13. Other as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. • Network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives

• Integrity and professionalism, • Accountability, • Commitment to continuous learning, • Planning and organizing, • Teamwork and respect for diversity, • Multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication? • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

implementing technical programs (i.e. nutrition, health, food assistance, etc.). In addition, has provided input into designing operations and into policy discussions and decisions

Burundi has emerged from a long socio-politic conflict and the social indicators show that 70% of the population lives under the poverty line. Ngozi is classified in Level II (moderate) in terms of security. It is a non-family duty station. It is generally advised to international staff not to use public transport. Secure and affordable accommodation is available in the city. It is advised to respect security instructions across the whole country