Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition Sensitive) - SC10, Maputo, Mozambique

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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. Female qualified applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

WFP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, offer, training, or any other fees). Offers of WFP employment or job openings with requests for payment of fees are fraudulent. WFP does not concern itself with information on bank accounts. Any requests for such payment or information should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action and to WFP for its information.

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

The Cost of Hunger in Africa Mozambique (COHA) found that 10.94% of GDP is lost every year due to child undernutrition. The largest share of this cost is the potential loss of productivity due to malnutrition-related mortality, estimated at 53 billion meticais, or 9.4% of GDP. In Mozambique, one out of two children under-five are stunted, 26% of all child mortality in Mozambique is associated with undernutrition, and stunted children complete 4.7 years less of schooling. Furthermore, repeated episodes of acute malnutrition increase the likelihood that a child will be stunted and children that are stunted and wasted are 12 times more likely to die than their well-nourished peers.

The fight against malnutrition in countries requires multisectoral and integrated programs that combine nutrition-specific with nutrition-sensitive interventions. For instance, evidence shows that implementing large-scale nutrition-specific interventions solely is not enough and will reduce stunting by 20% only (Lancet 2013). Thus, more holistic approaches are needed, to tackle malnutrition in all its forms and promote development by addressing direct, underlying, and root causes of malnutrition. Nutrition-sensitive programming addresses long-term, systemic causes of malnutrition while also increasing the immediate impact of nutrition-specific programs if implemented coherently.

These jobs are found in Headquarters (HQ), Regional Bureaux (RBs) or Country Offices (COs) and job holders report to a more senior Programme Policy Officer. Job holders are likely to be working under the close support and guidance of a more experienced professional staff member receiving guidance and regular feedback on work performed. They are typically involved in programme or policy activities or similar nature and analytical work of limited complexity.

OBJECTIVE:

In line with WFP global nutrition policy, the country office is increasingly investing on nutrition-sensitive programming, with development of multisector and nutrition-sensitive projects in partnership with other units within the organization, and with governments and partners. WFP seeks a Nutrition Sensitive Programme Officer to support ongoing nutrition-sensitive programs and work as the alternate to the Nutrition Sensitive Team Lead.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University Degree in Public Health Nutrition, with an emphasis on community nutrition, Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), gender, food security or other relevant sub-specialty. Experience: Five or more years managing or leading technically complex programmes/projects , multisectoral and multi-stakeholder approach and nutrition or food security fields with Governments, UN and international donors in development and/or humanitarian context

• Experience in preparing concept notes and project proposals in the field of nutrition and food security.
• Experience in the area of nutrition information systems.
• Experience in planning and overseeing nutrition-sensitive programme M&E.
• Prior experience working in Mozambique on food security and/or nutrition sector, preferably including experience at the community, district, sub-national and national levels.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of food security and nutrition situation analysis, context and infrastructure in Mozambique.
• Strong understanding of government administrative architecture from national to community levels.
• Strong understanding of WFP mandate, programs and principles.
• Strong understanding of WFP operations is desirable.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to oversee and guide complex operations with minimum supervision.
• Demonstrated significant expertise providing technical support to country and field program teams, government staff working on nutrition, gender, agriculture and/or SBCC activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of partners with varying interests and priorities.
• Strategic thinking and management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.

Language: Fluency in English and Portuguese languages.

KEY OVERALL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide technical advice on nutrition sensitive programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities and commodity choice for nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive programme in line with WFP standards and processes • Manage Nutrition Sensitive Programmes • Work with nutrition unit team in procurement, logistics, finance, other programme units and other divisions to ensure effective design and delivery of WFP nutrition programming • Provide support for operational partnerships, including inter-agency collaboration, to ensure a strong multi-sectorial response to nutrition sensitive programmes • Prepare accurate and timely reporting and learning, contributing to a knowledge base that informs decision making of WFP and other stakeholders • Design, conduct and communicate the nutrition situation clearly and effectively to nutrition stakeholders • Represent WFP at national, regional and international meetings to contribute in technical discussions, exchange experiences, advocate for nutrition interventions and identify areas of potential collaboration • Build capacity of WFP collaborators, partners and national governments to prepare for and respond to nutrition problems • Support the monitoring and evaluation of WFP activities, provide technical analysis, and interpretation • Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them on more complex analysis and queries • Other as required

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1. Manage complex multi-year and multi-sectoral nutrition-sensitive programs a. Develops and manages contracts with cooperate partners b. Manages project budgets c. Manage project activities making sure that they are implemented in a way that concurs to the achievement of project expected outcomes. This includes also, monitoring and evaluation activities and data reporting, and reporting back to all stakeholders on program progress, including the teams involved from the field offices. d. Coordinates and supports programme units and cooperating partners and ensure that programme activities are implemented with quality and timely. 2. Support nutrition-sensitive programs design, development and planning, including mainstreaming nutrition within other WFP activity programs a. Support the development of concept notes and design of nutrition-sensitive programs or the integration of nutrition-sensitive activities within other programs. b. Whenever needed and in representation of WFP Mozambique, provide technical support to the Government of Mozambique and other stakeholders to mainstream nutrition within country policies, strategies and programs. c. Support the overall planning and implementation of nutrition-sensitive programs and activities in line with the country nutrition policies and strategies and WFP nutrition-sensitive principles. 3. Technical and operational support to nutrition-sensitive programs or nutrition-sensitive components implementation a. Conduct regular program field visits, exchange information with other units, partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. b. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution including issues related to program implementation, finance, communication and any other managerial aspect. c. Report and advise whenever possible on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results. 4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building a. Work closely with the MER Team Leader to conduct evaluations and assessments both at the beginning and end of nutrition-sensitive projects. b. Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programs’ results. c. Promote capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders. 5. Performing any other relevant duties as requested by the nutrition and HIV unit.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK - OUR BEHAVIOUR MATTERS

• Leads by Example with Integrity

Lives WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others.

• Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments

Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change.

• Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork

Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth.

• Applies Strategic Thinking

Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things.

• Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships

Builds and nurtures external partnerships & collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Type of contract: Service Contract, Level 10

Duty Station: Maputo

Duration: 12 months

This position is open to Mozambican Nationals Only.

Female qualified candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

07th July 2023

Only Shortlisted Candidates will be Contacted

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.