Senior Public Policy Advisor

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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

These jobs are found in Headquarters (HQ), Regional Bureaux (RBs) and Country Offices (COs) and typically report to the Divisional/Regional/Country Director or the designate. Job holders have the specialised technical knowledge and experience required to identify, analyse and synthesise more complex issues. They provide technical expertise, advice and solutions that support strategic results by developing new and existing fundraising opportunities.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, International Development, or other relevant field. Language: Fluency both in English and Spanish (proficiency level C).

JOB PURPOSE

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director and in close coordination with the Country Office Management, the Programme and Partnerships teams, the Senior National Development Advisor will undertake the following key responsibilities to advance the efforts of the Country Office in programme and partnership building and resource mobilization with the Government, IFIs and other development actors:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Strategic Advice and Analysis

• Provide strategic direction and high-quality advisory services to the Country Director and Country Office Management in terms of strengthening WFP’s relationship with the Government and positioning WFP as a key actor in the development space.
• Proactively scan the country development landscape and support exploration of viable opportunities and new approaches for WFP’s strategic engagement.
• Closely follow relevant external developments and processes involving the Government and IFIs and support the development of the Country Director’s/Office’s position on these matters.
• Analyse the national development, budgeting and spending priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and contribute to the implementation of WFP’s partnerships with Government and key development actors.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders as relevant.
• Inform and support the Country Office management as well as its technical teams on the engagement with key partners on the strategy, design, relevance and impact of policies and programmes that can be supported by WFP to advance national development priorities.
• Liaise with government agencies.
• Provide advice on WFP’s representation and messaging in various national instances/committees /working groups (on humanitarian/development issues).
• Engage with national institutions, universities and think-tanks to establish WFP as a thought leader in the country in the development arena.

Brand Management and Positioning

• Support the management of WFP’s brand among key external stakeholders as a UN agency with a dual humanitarian and development mandate and a trusted development partner.
• In close contact with relevant colleagues from the Country Office, support the development of WFP’s value proposition and specific offerings in the areas of rural transformation, sustainable infrastructure and human capital development, and contribute to the process of project design, where necessary.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Reports to the Country Director. Works closely with the Country Office Management and Programme and Partnerships Teams and liaises with the Head of Partnerships at the Regional Bureau and a relevant focal point in the Strategic Partnerships team.
• External: Facilitates engagement with the Government, including relevant ministries and agencies, key development actors, including IFIs, and academia in close coordination with the Country Director.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• At least 8 years of experience working in the public sector.
• Ideally experience with the national government, public sector economic planning and budgetary processes at the strategic level. Ability to interact effectively with staff at the Ministerial level and at the IFI Management level.
• Ideally, Director level government experience, preferably from a Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning or a line Ministry with significant interaction with IFIs.
• Ideally experience with development issues and significant experience in developing relationships and managing strategic partnerships with governments and development partners, particularly IFIs.
• Ideally record of accomplishment in new partnership building, brokering relationships with partners, and engagement at a senior level.
• Ideally experience in project design processes and coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including governments and IFIs.
• Ideally experience working closely with academia and think tanks.
• Knowledge of WFP operations in country and international experience is a plus.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract type: Service Contract (SC)

Category: National Professional SC L11

Duration: 12 months

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline to apply: Monday 25th September, 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.