Programme Policy Officer - Special Advisor

JOB TITLE:

Programme Policy Officer – Special Advisor

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

Regular Consultant (CST)

UNIT/DIVISION:

Office of the Country Director for Senegal Country Office

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

Dakar, Senegal

DURATION:

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:

6 months

28 June 2022

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The WFP Country Office based in Dakar is working in a context of an increasingly challenging food insecurity situation across the region, worsened by the impact of climate shocks, heightened conflict, and most recently the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19. In that context the Country Office is scaling up its programme efforts across crisis response, resilience and root cause areas, while also undertaking a number of strategic shifts in programming, including through building of key partnerships to enable that. These include with International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank, regional institutions such as the G5 Sahel, and sister UN agencies such as an enhanced partnership with UNICEF, as well as heightened engagement with the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS). In this context and to support sizeable strategic shifts and scale-up efforts underway, capacity is required in the Office of the Country Director to enable active engagement in and follow-up of these efforts, to enable the Country Director lead across these multiple strands of work.

The Programme Policy Officer Special Advisor CST will provide support to the Country Director on External Communication by participating in the formulation and roll-out of strategies, in coordination with technical units and Programmes. Her/his tasks include the review and development of external reports. high-level strategic briefs, and talking points in support of the Country Director. The Programme Policy Officer - Special Advisor STP P4 also provides the Country Director in the development of strategic papers, positioning and communications.

The Programme Policy Officer Special Advisor CST will report to the Country Director.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSABILITIES:

Formulate substantial parts of programme policies in line with both organisational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field; or translate WFP.wide programme policy into Regional/Country level practices. programme guidance and implementation modalities and operations, to ensure a strong connection between Headquarters (HQ), Regional Bureau and field operations.

1. Provide advice and support to the Country Director (CD) to enable formulation of regional strategic direction and the delivery of a complex portfolio of programmes, including to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, Executive Board decisions, and other relevant guidance.
2. Support the CD to scope, develop and maintain strategic partnerships. in close coordination with the Partnerships Unit.
3. Support the CD, in close collaboration with the Communications and Partnerships Team, on the formulation of advocacy and communications messaging for strategic events and stakeholders/audiences.
4. Support the CD on key strategic issues, including through shaping content and approach to Senior Staff meetings and other senior management forums, meetings with UNs agencies.
5. Under the guidance of the Country Director, support the development and roll-out of policies and strategies, in coordination with technical units and programmes.
6. Provide technical advice or mobilise 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, working in close cooperation and coordination with teams across the Country Office.
7. Assist senior stakeholders of governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully employed and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of food assistance programmes to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes at national and sub-national levels.
8. 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.
9. Maintain up to date on lessons learned, evaluations, programme, studies and research from the region and elsewhere and support dissemination of lessons/recommendations/best practices.
10. Manage or oversee operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance.
11. Prepare and participate in high-level field missions related to joint and integrated programming, research work, follow-up of complementary interventions and advocacy efforts;
12. Participate in field missions related to joint and integrated programming, research work. follow-up of complementary interventions and advocacy efforts.
13. Assist CO in developing specific WFP focused or joint research agendas linked to specific evidence-building demands from donors or partners. Such agendas would require identification of suitable institutions in consultation with RB ans CO staff, and with specific partners. The research areas of interest may include, albeit not exclusively, aspects such as social cohesion, youth and women empowerment, tenure aspects and land stewardship. reduction of hardships, etc.
14. Support the CD in managing the preparation of documents, communication, strategic papers, talking points and synthesis reports as required, etc.
15. Provide support to the CD in preparing for key internal meetings (including Senior Staff Meetings, Crisis Management Group meetings etc.).
16. Support CO in organizing meetings and/or materials required for events that relate to resilience pillar and other programmatic discussions.
17. Support the CD and external communications on high-profile interventions in coordination with reports, Donor Relations and Public Information Units (including: review/development of external reports, high level strategic briefs, and talking points).
18. Provide support during travel missions with the CD through effective summary of meetings key points, actions to be taken and feedback to relevant internal stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Masters degree or higher degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Development and Social Science, Food Security, Agriculture, or other relevant disciplines;

Experience:

08 or more years of relevant work experience in International Development. Rural Development, Social Protection, and Food Security and Nutrition;

Exposure to and experience with food security, nutrition programmes and safety nets desirable;

Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to risks and vulnerabilities, fragility, resilience related issues;

Knowledge & Skills:

Knowledge of policies and practices related to inter-agency coordination. and of UNISS and its resilience pillar highly desirable;

Knowledge Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, & Skills: negotiating skills;

Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;

Experience and ability to work with senior management on strategy-related matters;

Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety; flexibility in accepting field work missions/assignments outside normal desk description

Languages:

Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing with proficiency in French and English;