Programme Policy Officer ( Beneficiary Services Lead ) - NOB - Nairobi, Kenya Country Office

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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 diversity and gender balance.

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:

Knowing and being accountable to our beneficiaries, and strengthening the service levels we provide to them, are priorities for the WFP Kenya Country Office. Since 2012, the Country Office has been investing in new mechanisms for registering and communicating with our beneficiaries, to improve accountability, proactively mitigate protection risks, and get direct feedback that can be used to improve our programmes. In 2012, Kenya was one of 11 Country Offices identified to pilot implementation of WFP’s humanitarian protection policy, and made significant contributions in the area of complaints and grievances. The WFP Helpline, established in 2013, has continued to expand while improving service delivery to beneficiaries. In 2015, the Government of Kenya’s Social Protection Secretariat requested technical assistance from WFP to establish a toll-free line for the national safety net programmes. Since then, WFP continues to offer technical assistance to both National and County government entities in the areas of accountability to affected populations. WFP has also been working with CGAP to develop consumer protection tools for cash transfer programmes. The Country Office is on the forefront of establishing beneficiary management information and electronic registration systems, and integrating these with partner and Government systems, notably UNHCR’s ProGres and the Government of Kenya’s Social Protection Single Registry. The Country Office has also been using mobile systems/devices to collect data (programme implementation & monitoring) from beneficiaries in remote areas. This role will be responsible in strengthening these initiatives into a coherent service to support beneficiaries and communities that WFP Kenya serves.

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of this post is to lead a team responsible for collecting and managing beneficiary data within WFP Kenya, design and implement beneficiary communication and engagement strategies as well as providing technical support and guidance to programme units (Internally) and relevant government agencies on: beneficiary data management, beneficiary targeting, protection/safeguarding, and accountability to affected populations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Expected Results:

• All of WFP’s beneficiaries are registered, and household data is regularly updated and used to align WFP’s programmes with the Government’s safety nets programmes.
• The registration data collected about WFP’s beneficiaries adheres to both National regulation and corporate guidelines; and supports programme layering, referrals and linkages with national safety nets.
• New approaches and technology to improve beneficiary data management are tested, documented, and rolled out. Ensure they adhere to local regulations.
• WFP’s corporate policies and guidance on protection of personal data are adhered to by all staff and partners interacting with beneficiary data.
• Strategies for communicating with beneficiaries, and mechanisms for beneficiaries to participate in the design, monitoring and review of WFP’s programmes, are in place, implemented, and monitored.
• WFP Kenya’s community feedback and response mechanism (CFM) is expanded, strengthened, and provides relevant feedback for enhanced programme delivery.
• Technical assistance provided to both national and county governments in the areas of accountability to affected populations, beneficiary data management and beneficiary targeting.
• Country Office management and donors have relevant and timely information about WFP’s beneficiaries, and the feedback they are giving about WFP’s programmes.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, international relations, community development or a field relevant to international development assistance such as nutrition, food security or humanitarian response. Advanced (Masters) degree or substantial training in one of the following areas would be an advantage: social protection/social safety nets, rural development or communicating with communities; or First University Degree with additional five years of related work experiences and/or training/courses.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in leading and managing accountability to affected populations portfolio in both humanitarian and development contexts.
• Ability to offer Technical Assistance to government and partners in the areas of community feedback and response mechanisms, community engagement, data management and beneficiary targeting.
• Experience in mainstreaming cross-cutting issues, particularly protection and gender equality within programmatic areas.
• Excellent analytical, communication skills, and Documentation/report writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive, professional relationships with government counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
• High organization and coordination skills and ability to work with a high degree of independence within a team environment.
• Excellent computer skills especially spreadsheets and databases.
• Experience with results-based management, monitoring and evaluation
• Ability to travel frequently, often to remote areas.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Strategy & Planning Applies strong understanding of key national and international socio-political issues and the complexity and range of WFP programmes to plan and oversee implementation of programmes in area of responsibility, coordinating and monitoring to ensure effective fulfilment of the area’s needs. Operations Applies understanding of WFP’s operations within the area of assignment to ensure optimal deployment of food aid and food assistance programmes and the resolution of high impact operational issues that arise. Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of WFP programmes, supply chain and budgeting principles. Resource Proactively builds profile of WFP within area of responsibility, effectively leveraging this to lead fundraising initiatives. Utilises understanding of WFP structure and delivery model and strong commercial knowledge to effectively develop, manage and control budgets, with frequently limited funding. Diplomacy Applies negotiation, networking and diplomacy skills to develop, nurture and sustain mutually beneficial external partnerships with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, civil societies, UN agencies, donors, beneficiaries and other partners/ media engaged in the field of food security, to improve assistance packages. Collaborates with governments and other partners to identify opportunities for food assistance programmes in-line with WFP’s strategic aims locally, and negotiates the optimal approach to delivery against these. People Management N/A

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, negotiating skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety; flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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• Terms of contract: Fixed Term Contract
• Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya Country office
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• The World Food Programme DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
• WFP embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that celebrates diversity and inclusivity in all ways.
• All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications and merit.
• Applicants profile MUST match the C.V attached. Any discrepancies between the C.V and the profile will lead to automatic disqualification.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline for application: 02nd April, 2023

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.