Programme Policy Officer (School Feeding) SC8 - Baghdad, Iraq

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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.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) 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 to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women, children, and people with disabilities, can access the nutritious food they need. WFP corporately has embraced a proactive stance on inclusion, and efforts to strengthen this even further are a key priority area for WFP in Iraq. For more information, see wfp.org/countries/iraq and ar.wfp.org/countries/iraq.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Head of School Feeding and in cooperation with all programme managers and supporting functions, the Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for overseeing WFP Iraq’s School Feeding Programme.

JOB PURPOSE

In coordination with the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders, the Programme Policy Officer provides strategic guidance and leadership to WFP Iraq and liaises with partners for coherence, cooperation, and coordination. The incumbent will also be expected to coordinate the engagement with government and institutions to ensure programme and policy alignment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Programme Management and Support

• Provide technical and project management support and assist in the operational aspects of the National School Feeding Programme, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies.
• Provide advice and support to the Country Office and Sub-Offices on strategy, policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, Executive Board decisions, and other relevant guidance.
• Closely liaise with the Ministry of Education and other national stakeholders to ensure coordination of positive and strategic dialogue for the school feeding programme including the capacity building and the policy formulation processes.
• Provide technical inputs for capacity strengthening activities in support of the capacity building plans to government under the Iraqi National School Feeding Programme.
• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to school health and nutrition, e.g., through providing inputs into training materials;
• Advocate for policies that support the integration of health and nutrition components into broader education strategies.
• Support conducting comprehensive assessments of school health and nutrition needs in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Liaise with relevant focal point on supporting school feeding and nutrition aspects of CO Programme.

Coordination

• Coordinate the technical support to Ministry of Education for strengthening the school feeding program including, training and support to technical staff and key focal points.
• Organize and manage competence strengthening of key institutional counterparts on school-based activities,
• Coordinate and promote a cohesive relationship with the Ministry of Education, and other key national counterparts to ensure tangible outcomes and plan strategic development through SBCC and sustainable interventions,
• Coordinate with potential donors to bring value added components to complement the national school feeding programme.
• Engage and consult regularly with the Ministry of Education and other government administrations involved in school feeding, and support the planning and development of school-based activities.

Partnerships and interagency collaboration

• Engage and maintain partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that augment the school feeding programme and support advocacy work, in particular with UNICEF, relevant coordination groups, government partners, and cooperating partners,
• Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved school health and nutrition for primary and secondary children with a focus on girls.

Reporting

• Support preparing timely reports on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information from various sources and highlight trends/issues ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
• Other duties as required.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Leads by Example with Integrity

• Demonstrates and encourages others to uphold the WFP values, principles and standards.
• Values diversity using respectful and inclusive language and encourages others to do the same.
• Stays focused and calm when under pressure, encourages others to do the same, and offers guidance and support to manage difficult situations.
• Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, frequently seeking and acting on feedback, and pursuing opportunities to develop.

Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments

• Identifies and aligns objectives to the required outcomes, holding self and/or others accountable for the delivery of results for maximum impact.
• Delegates responsibly and provides appropriate support empowering others to deliver results.
• Responds readily to change in different contexts and adapts accordingly.

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative

• Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by encouraging colleagues to collaborate by sharing ideas and openly raising issues.
• Supports development for others by giving timely and constructive feedback.
• Seeks out, trusts and listens attentively to diverse views to capture, learn, build and share new perspectives.

Applies Strategic Thinking

• Communicates and fulfils WFP’s vision and operational outcomes to deliver meaningful solutions.
• Demonstrates curiosity, designs and implements new ways of doing things when relevant.
• Gathers data and different perspectives, shares knowledge and uses evidence to inform decision making.
• Implements decisions, considering the risks and implications of actions for teams, projects and other initiatives.

Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships

• Initiates and builds partnerships by identifying and promoting opportunities for mutual areas of interest and benefit.
• Collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives by sharing information and cocreating innovative solutions with beneficiaries when appropriate.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Demonstrates ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect food assistance problems and programmes throughout the lifecycle to inform quality programme design or re-design. Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher) Demonstrates ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g., market studies) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development. Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.) Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring. Emergency Programming Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation and realignment of high quality emergency programmes. Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years of post-graduation solid, responsible, and relevant work experience in humanitarian organizations and implementation of capacity strengthening programmes.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Arabic, both oral and written, is required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
• Has taken leadership of implementing capacity strengthening programmes.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and formulation.
• Has strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
• Has high level diplomacy skills and experience working with government.
• Has knowledge of UN system policies and functions pertaining to programme management of food assistance activities.
• Has strong capacity in establishing and sustaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (School Feeding) Grade: SC8 Contract: Service Contract Duty Station: Baghdad, Iraq Duration of contract: 6 months, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance Salary: Minimum Annual Net Salary is USD 38,253.00 Medical Plan: International valid medical plan for the staff member, spouse, and dependent children Annual leave: 30 working days per annum

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications close on 25 December 2023

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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.