Programme Policy Officer(Urban/Rural Social & Humanitarian Assistance), NOA, Harare

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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 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

In Zimbabwe, WFP has a strong track record of delivering food assistance and managing supply chains during crises, while building resilience to shocks among vulnerable communities. The July 2022-December 2026 Country Strategic Plan (CSP) provides a road map to promote shock-responsive social protection and sustainable and resilient food systems.

The July 2022-December 2026 articulates collaborative efforts to better anticipate future needs, improve data and forecasting and strengthen livelihoods and local capacities to withstand, respond to and adapt more readily to sudden or chronic stresses. WFP will support informed decision making on food security and nutrition in Zimbabwe, and will integrate nutrition, gender, protection and inclusion, youth engagement, technological innovation and decentralized zero hunger action throughout the plan. WFP will establish new partnerships and leverage existing ones to their full potential, including those with the other Rome-based and other United Nations agencies.

WFP Zimbabwe’s July 2022-December 2026 CSP focuses on the below areas;

• Social and humanitarian assistance for food-and nutrition-insecure populations in targeted rural and urban areas.
• Support to urban food insecure households for resilient livelihoods.
• Support to rural communities for climate resilient livelihoods, sustainable management of natural resources and enhanced participation in local markets and value chains.
• Collaboration with national actors to enhance capacities to develop, coordinate and implement well-informed, effective and equitable actions for achieving food and nutrition security.
• Services to humanitarian and development actors in Zimbabwe so they can implement their programmes and provide support to their beneficiaries in an efficient, effective and reliable way at all times, including during crises.

JOB PURPOSE

The position's job purpose is to design and manage programmes of moderate size or complexity that effectively meet food assistance needs or contribute to policy formulation and/or provide technical advice or oversight on programme strategy and implementation. The Programme Policy Officer will be part of the team responsible for implementation of the Social and Humanitarian Assistance area of the 2022-2026 CSP consisting of rural seasonal assistance, urban assistance and support to refugees. The below accountabilities will be performed within that context. The position holder will report to a Programme Policy Officer, Social & Humanitarian Assistance Lead.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities:

1. Contribute towards the development of a limited number of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.

2. Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of small to moderate size that are relatively straight forward in nature, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.

3. Follow data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.

4. Research and analyse policy and operational issues to support senior colleagues in the development of policies, programmes and activities.

5. Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

6. Liaise with internal counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects.

7. Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.

8. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through project management support of learning initiatives.

9. Provide guidance to support staff, acting as a point of referral and assisting them with analysis and queries

10. Identify and implement sustainability mechanisms and exit strategies to ensure an adequate hand over of activities to government.

11. Seek synergies between urban and rural activities.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, or other fields related to international development, or, a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and proficiency in any of the local languages is desirable.

Experience: Three years of relevant professional (managerial) experience related to national development programmes projects, policies, strategies or plans and institutional structures, public sector management, emergency assistance, agricultural insurance and/or diverse aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food assistance .

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Understanding of Agenda 2030 and respective targets – particularly SDG1, SDG2 and SDG17 - and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them;
• Familiarity with intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection and public policy.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in country capacity strengthening and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles.
• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, conveying an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Appetite for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner.
• Ability to work as part of a team, participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others, regardless of gender, culture, background, experience, or country assignment.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has gained experience in implementing technical programs in emergency assistance, agricultural insurance and/or diverse aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food assistance
• Has implemented programmes and provided input into designing operations.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.
• Has experience working across diverse programme areas, including planning and implementation; experience in leading teams; programme experience
• Has extensive experience in conducting food security assessments, needs assessments, analysis of data, crafting response plans and recommendations for policy and programme development.
• Must have strong organizational skills with an ability to work independently, as part of a diverse team, work and to take an idea from theory to practice.
• Have ability to work systematically, use initiative, good judgement, and to communicate complex matters both orally and in writing.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Qualified candidates are requested to submit their application via E- Recruitment attaching a signed application letter, a Curriculum Vitae and a signed Personal History Form (P11) available at http://www.unon.org/docs/P11

This advert is open to nationals of Zimbabwe Only.

Female candidates with relevant quaifications and experience are encouraged to apply.

WFP DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline for applications: 8 June 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.