Programme Policy Officer (IFRR Coordinator) - Consultant - Sana'a, Yemen

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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 WFP is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and promotes gender parity as well as encourages qualified candidates with disabilities to apply.****

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace and stability for populations impacted by conflict, disasters and climate change.

WFP’s emergency response in Yemen is the agency’s largest anywhere in the world, and is the largest sustained emergency operation in history, providing lifesaving monthly food assistance to 10.5 million people most in need. WFP also provides nutrition support to 1.7 million children and mothers, and delivers school meals to 850,000 children each day.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree in any of the following fields: Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Rural Sociology, Economics, Rural Development, International Development, Social Sciences, Food Security, WASH, Nutrition, Health, Epidemiology, or related field.

Experience: Minimum eight years of professional relevant experience in Food security as well as intersector/cluster coordination involving Food Security, Health, WASH and Nutrition; and at least eight years progressively responsible humanitarian work experience with UN and/or NGO, including coordination of multiple stakeholders and program management in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to the position.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English, Fluency (level B) in Arabic is an advantage

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This job is found in WFP Yemen Country Offices based in Sana'a and generally report to the Head of Unit.

Job holder is likely to manage a complex portfolio of activities that may include formulation and direct management or coordination of programmes at CO level or formulation of substantial parts of WFP-wide policies and provision of technical advice at RB or HQ level. As such job holder will be expected to have an extensive breadth of programme and policy knowledge/experience including strong technical abilities in an area of expertise and ability to credibly influence strategic, policy and operational discussions. Job holder usually manage a large team or excel in a specific area.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

To effectively address the immense humanitarian needs in Yemen, it is imperative to have scaled up, integrated, coherent, and well-coordinated multi-sectoral approaches from FSAC, WASH, Nutrition, and Health Clusters due to the holistic nature of addressing humanitarian needs. The integrated interventions are critical to address the threat of famine, while concurrently ensuring that the underlying determinants, such as access to nutritious foods, health, safe water and sanitation environments, and child-care practices are addressed as well. Subsequently, the four clusters (FSAC, WASH, Nutrition, and Health) in collaboration with OCHA and donors have developed an Integrated Famine Risk Reduction (IFRR) strategy, which focuses on the implementation of an integrated minimum package of activities.

The ToRs outline the responsibility of the Programme Policy Officer (IFRR Coordinator) focusing on the Integrated Famine Risk Reduction (IFRR) coordination (in close collaboration with the FSAC, WASH, Nutrition, Health Clusters and OCHA).

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• The Programme Policy Officer (IFRR Coordinator) will work under the direct supervision of the WFP Deputy Country Director or designate.
• The Programme Policy Officer (IFRR Coordinator) will propose to the 4 cluster leads agencies’ head a Senior level strategic consultation forum to guide and support the effort.
• With respect of the IFRR Coordination, the Programme Policy Officer (IFRR Coordinator) will (a) work closely with the WASH, Food Security, Nutrition and Health Clusters on coordination of multi-sectoral approaches, (b) participate as active member of the OCHA Inter-Cluster Coordination Mechanism (ICCM).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Integrated Famine Risk Reduction (IFRR) Coordination:

In consultation with WASH, Food Security, Nutrition and Health Clusters in the context OCHA Inter- Cluster Coordination Mechanism, including at Senior/strategic level, the Programme Policy Officer (IFRR Coordinator) tasks and assignments include:

• Liaising with WASH, Food Security, Nutrition, Health Clusters and OCHA to identify priorities.
• In respect of IFRR strategy, enhance information sharing and joint analysis on needs, coverage and gaps between relevant clusters (FSAC, Nutrition, WASH and Health clusters on IFRR) within the context of OCHA Inter-Cluster Coordination Mechanism (ICCM). This entails supporting and supervising information management function in data collection and analysis including on integrated minimum package at the four platforms of response delivery (Facility, community, household and individual levels).
• Liaising with WASH, Food Security, Nutrition, Health Clusters and OCHA to prepare an action plan for identified gaps and challenges and follow up its implementation accordingly updating OCHA, and the four clusters (at national and sub national levels).
• Sensitising stakeholders on IFRR approach.
• Supporting relevant clusters in terms of inputs to the HNO/HRP section pertaining to the IFRR strategy.
• Supporting inclusion of priority cross-cutting and cross-sectoral issues by partners with regards to the IFRR strategy.
• Participating at the ICCM, HCT and other relevant coordination meetings to update on the implementation of the IFRR package.
• Assists/supervises preparation of various written IFRR outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, infographics etc.
• Other as required.

DELIVERABLES:

• Ensure integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues in needs assessments, analysis and planning.
• Development, revision, dissemination and application of technical standards and best practices.
• Resources permitting, strengthen the capacity of humanitarian actors through training and capacity investment.
• Developing an exit, or transition, strategy for the cluster if deemed appropriate by the Lead Agencies.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms (e.g., Consolidated Appeals Process, Central Emergency Response Fund and Flash Appeals).

• Facilitation and communication: experience of high-level coordination and chairing of meetings; ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders and develop consensus and joint working; ability to present outcomes on behalf of a group of stakeholders, excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Ability to express and summarise ideas orally and in writing in a diplomatic and inclusive manner

• Familiarity with food security concepts and frameworks, assessment and monitoring and evaluation tools and methodologies.

• Coping with pressure: ability to work productively in a pressurized environment and to maintain visibly high levels of morale in difficult circumstances.

• Ability to work and plan at strategic as well as operational levels.

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.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools. Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher) Demonstrates the ability to design, implement, monitor and provide oversight over effective and efficient programmes deploying different transfer modalities. Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.) Demonstrates the ability to incorporate technical information into programme design and implementation and appropriately communicate it internally and externally. Emergency Programming Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches. Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government Demonstrates the ability to engage key stakeholders (e.g., WFP units, external partners) in policy dialogue to strengthen national government food and nutrition security strategies and programmes.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

11 September 2022

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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.