Programme Policy Officer (Cash Based Transfers) P4 - Dakar, Senegal

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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.

Are you a Programme Policy Officer interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted before Tuesday, May 17, 2022 (10:59 PM CET)

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & 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.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

CASH-BASED TRANSFERS IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

WFP is the largest agency delivering cash assistance globally, having delivered $2.1 billion USD in cash per year in 2019 and 2020, representing 37% of WFP’s global programming. A large body of evidence has now shown that cash has a higher impact than any other type of assistance by placing vulnerable people at the centre of aid and empowering them to meet their essential needs in local markets. Cash assistance places choice directly in the hands of beneficiaries, enabling them to make purchases within their local markets further bolstering local economies. Studies in Lebanon, Rwanda and Uganda have shown that US$1 given in cash to a vulnerable person translates into about US$2 in the local economy, compared to US$1.2 when food rations are provided.

The RBD region began using CBTs as an assistance modality in 2009 and has steadily grown its use of CBTs over the last 11 years. The region saw the largest increase in the use of CBTs in 2020, with an increase of 70% or $100 million USD in the total value of USD transferred to beneficiaries. Thus far in 2021, RBD is the fastest-growing CBT region within WFP and the third largest region by volume.

With a large and growing CBT portfolio, the RBD CBT Strategy for 2021-2023 aims to advance the region’s CBT by moving “Towards a more mature, digital, financially inclusive, and integrated cash programming in the West Africa Region”. This strategy was developed cross-functionally at the Regional Bureau and builds upon initiatives underway within the Regional Bureau and Country Offices, and the global Cash Based Transfer Division priorities for 2021-2022. The intention of the strategy is to provide guidance to the cross-functional teams in the Regional Bureau and Country Offices on key CBT priorities and goals.

THE ROLE

A Cash-Based Transfers Advisor as a Programme Policy Officer engages in a broad range of policy and programmatic areas reflective of WFP dual mandate – development and emergency. You have the knowledge and skills to deal with various transfer modalities and to apply the most appropriate ones throughout the design, delivery set-up, implementation and monitoring phases of the project life. The global objective of the cash-based transfers advisor is to support countries to end hunger and deliver high-quality programmes basing your actions on the concept of cost efficiency and effectiveness. Programme effectiveness is the main driving principle to which CBT advisor refers at any stage of the assistance. Innovative thinking, as well as the flexibility to effectively adapt to contexts, are essential skills required. As all Programme Policy Officers, CBT advisor play a key role across the policy formulation and programme management to ensure that WFP policy and programming will contribute to an impactful and sustainable change in saving and changing lives.

We are seeking a Cash-Based Transfers Advisor to support WFP CBT in the West and Central Africa region, based in Dakar - RBD and reporting to the Senior Programme Policy Officer (Regional Head of Programme).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Policy Officer (Regional Head of Programme) and working in close collaboration with the other programme and relevant RBD units (e.g. Nutrition, EPR, Supply Chain, RAM, Finance, TEC), you will perform the following:

• Advice on WFP’s CBT programme strategy in line with the organizational strategy, WFP-wide programme policies and context in the field; translate the CBT programme strategy and WFP-wide programmes and policies into Regional/Country level practices, programme guidance and implementation modalities and operations;
• Be visionary and innovative in the formulation of paths to achieve Zero Hunger goals making use of cash assistance when possible;
• Ensure that CBT operations are consistent and in line with corporate policies, Executive Board decisions and audit recommendations. Provide technical advice on a wide range of CBT, programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of most appropriate transfer modality and delivery mechanism, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies;
• Look for and advocate for more sustainable/innovative solutions in the cash delivery system. Maximise the effectiveness of all potential existing systems if in line with WFP rules and regulations;
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums related to CBT and other programmatic areas such as food security, nutrition, livelihoods, resilience, gender equality, or engagement in humanitarian, transition and development contexts and other related issues Be aware of the international humanitarian cash policies, of the positioning of some donors in relation to cash assistance, of the Grand Bargain principles and related WFP’s standing and, act accordingly when representing WFP in humanitarian fora;
• To strengthen national and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes, assist governments and other senior stakeholders/partners in identifying where CBT can be usefully employed and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, set up and implementation of CBT programmes;
• Encourage the use of cash-based transfer programmes through government social safety systems when possible and applicable;
• Advocate for resources mobilisation for a broad portfolio of WFP programmes, clearly articulating the need for CBT and related programme opportunities.
• Lead, motivate and develop a competent and diverse team to enable high performance;
• Other duties as required

A more detailed Job Description can be shared at a later stage of the recruitment process.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

You have:

• Advanced University degree (or equivalent experience) preferably in International Affairs, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Science, Business Administration, Public Policy or another field, OR First University degree with additional years of related work experience.

EXPERIENCE:

You have:

• At least 8 years of professional with gradually increasing responsibilities in relevant work experience in private or public sector demonstrating high performance and leadership capacity.
• At least 3 years of working experience in CBT programming in diverse contexts. At least two field mission experience to support the setting up and/or running of CBT operations especially in emergency context.
• Vast and strong experience in the design, set-up, implementation and evaluation of various transfer modality programs, including the integration of cross-cutting issues (gender, disability, climate change etc.), resource mobilization and funds management.

LANGUAGE:

You have:

• Fluency (level C) in the English language.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of the French language.

MORE ABOUT YOU

You have:

• Excellent understanding of the theory and application of food security, nutrition and safety net programmes.
• Excellent understanding of CBT programming and proven ability to assess, design, implement and monitor CBT programmes, preferably in complex emergencies and protracted crisis situations; Solid understanding of CBT programming related to food security and nutrition.
• Solid understanding of essential needs analysis and programming.
• Strategy development, coordination, action planning and capacity development skills.
• Knowledge of cross-cutting areas, such as protection, accountability to affected populations, gender and conflict-sensitive approaches and climate change – in programme implementation.
• Awareness about social protection, especially knowledge of policies and practices around long-term financial opportunities for the poor and vulnerable.
• The ability to identify, establish, and oversee relevant multi-sectoral partnerships for complementary programme design and implementation.
• Proven ability and experience in the development of interagency networks, partnerships, strategies and communications initiatives.
• Good leadership and successful record of accomplishment in supervising multinational and multidisciplinary teams in a complex operational environment.

ADDITIONAL / NICE-TO-HAVE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous work experience related to transfers in social safety net and/or emergency settings and relations with governments is highly valued.
• Experience in West and Central Africa is an asset.
• Familiarity with WFP and the UN system will be regarded as an asset

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel, visa and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. For more information, visit https://icsc.un.org/.

Mobility is and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Dakar, Senegal to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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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.