Programme Policy Officer NOD

Programme & Policy

Overview

Design and manage food assistance programmes and support team management.

You have:

• At least 8 years progressively more senior experience working on Programme delivery inside an international organisation.
• Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance.
• Fluency in Myanmar and (level C) in English language.

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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.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Contract Type Fixed Term National Officer - Level D Post Title Programme Policy Officer/ Deputy Head of Programme Number of Post One Duty Station Nay Pyi Taw Report to Head of Programme Duration of Service 12 months (extendable) Opening Date of Application 24 February 2022 Closing Date of Application 10 March 2022

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP has been present in Myanmar since 1994 and its’ work in the country is guided by three priorities: emergency preparedness and response; nutrition; and provision of social safety nets. The Myanmar Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2018-2022 aims to contribute to achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for Development). A total of eleven activities are being implemented to achieve four strategic outcomes:

• SO1: “Crisis-affected people in food insecure areas meet their food and nutrition needs all year round.” Lifesaving food and/or cash will be provided to women, men, girls and boys affected by natural disasters, armed conflict and inter-communal violence.
• SO2: “Vulnerable people in states and regions with high food insecurity and/or malnutrition have access to food all year round.” WFP will provide food/cash assistance to vulnerable populations, while providing technical assistance to support the government in strengthening its social protection programmes, food systems and emergency preparedness capacity.
• SO3: “Children under 5 in Myanmar have improved nutrition in line with national targets by 2022.” WFP will contribute to increasing the availability and access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable and affected populations in crisis and non-crisis situations to enhance their nutrition and resilience. WFP will also support the government in implementing national nutrition.
• SO4: “Humanitarian and development partners in Myanmar have access to reliable common services” Affected populations benefit from the humanitarian common services to humanitarian organizations in order to receive timely humanitarian assistance.

JOB PURPOSE

To design and manage programmes that effectively meet food assistance needs, or contribute to policy formulation and/or provide technical advice or oversight on programme strategy and implementation. To support the Head of Programme in the day-to-day management of Programme Unit staff and operational priorities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

​​​​​​Under the direct supervision of Head of Programme, and overall supervision of Deputy Country Director (Programme), the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities.

• Support the Head of Programme in the design, implementation, and evaluation of all programmatic activities, and in the day-to-day management of the Programme team.
• Advise management on Country Office engagement with the relevant national and local authorities in Myanmar, as required for the implementation of humanitarian and development food and cash assistance programmes.
• Manage the social protection and resilience portfolio under SO2, including supervising the SO Manager, as well as the Field Support Unit.​​​​​​
• Formulate substantial parts of programme policies in line with both organizational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field.

• Provide technical advice or mobilize technical expertise, on a wide range of programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities and appropriate food products, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies to support government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition.

• Develop operational partnerships and maintain established strategic partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work.

• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums on subjects related to food security, nutrition, livelihoods, resilience, engagement in humanitarian, transition and development contexts and other related issues through direct participation, briefings, information products and other materials.
• Manage or oversee operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance.
• Manage or oversee preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
• Advocate for resources for a broad portfolio of WFP projects, including clearly articulating the need for food assistance and related programme opportunities, and follow up on the resource situation of projects including commodity and cash availability.​​​​​​​
• Advise and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partner to design and deliver effective food assistance programmes.​​​​​​​
• Lead, motivate and develop a substantive team to enable high performance.​​​​​​​
• Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set objectives within a significant budget.​​​​​​​
• Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.​​​​​​​
• Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• Other as required.

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.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

At least 8 years progressively more senior experience working on Programme delivery inside an international organisation, including experience of managing teams of small to medium size.

Education:

Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language:

Fluency in Myanmar and (level C) in English language

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has worked in a Country Office or equivalent level position within technical area.
• Has managed discussions with technical experts in a variety of programmatic areas (ie. RAM, Nutrition, Protection/AAP, CBT, Social Protection);
• Has led a country / area office programme team or a substantial component of a complex programme.
• Has gained direct experience of different programme approaches.
• Has worked with government agencies and gained policy experience.
• Has direct experience engaging/coordinating with other humanitarian/development actors;
• Has led team in strategic discussions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This position is opened for Myanmar national only.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org