Programme Policy Officer – CST II, Semera, Ethiopia

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer

TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant Level 2

UNIT/DIVISION: Programme

DUTY STATION: Semera, Ethiopia

DURATION: 6 months

Job Description

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 2020, WFP Ethiopia Country Office launched its CSP 2020-2025. The five-year country strategic plan is based on WFP’s recognized strengths and on strong strategic and operational partnerships with the Government, private sector entities, non-governmental organizations and other United Nations agencies. While the bulk of operations will continue to address the immediate short-term needs of refugees, internally displaced persons and other food-insecure and undernourished people, there will be a gradual expansion and intensification of climate change adaptation, resilience and livelihood diversification initiatives also linked to the humanitarian–development–peace nexus. WFP will focus on the prevention of malnutrition, the building of resilience and the integration of nutrition concerns and gender equality throughout the portfolio.

WFP is working with the Government of Ethiopia and humanitarian partners to strengthen the resilience of people, communities, and systems. Our interventions are highly contextualized and adapted to the specific needs of our beneficiaries, including smallholder farmers, pastoralists, refugees, and host-communities who are most vulnerable to climate shocks.

WFP-supported resilience-building interventions in the drought-prone lowland areas in Ethiopia are focused on supporting vulnerable beneficiaries with an integrated climate-smart package that includes cash for work, indexed insurance, financial services, nature-based disaster risk reduction, restoration of degraded agricultural and range lands, improved access to water through watershed management, fodder production, and livelihood strengthening activities. We work with both pastoral and agro-pastoral beneficiaries, supporting sustainable natural resource management while enabling restoration of degraded rangelands and agriculturally productive riverine areas to increase local productivity and strengthen market systems in support of diversified, nutritious diets. We simultaneously focus on strengthening capacities of national and local institutions for improved early warning systems, gender transformation, and climate resilient diversified food systems.

JOB PURPOSE

The World Food Programme (WFP) is United Nation’s frontline agency in the fight against hunger, WFP is continually responding to emergencies. We save lives by getting food to the hungry fast.

WFP Ethiopia’s country strategic plan is based on operational partnerships with the Government, private sector entities, non-governmental organizations and other UN agencies. While the bulk of operations continue to address the immediate short-term needs of refugees, internally displaced persons and other food-insecure and undernourished people, there is a gradual expansion and intensification of resilience and livelihood diversification initiatives at the humanitarian–development–peace nexus.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Providing direction and operational guidance to, and management of, the WFP emergency response in Afar Region
2. Contribute to preparation of Afar region contingency and preparedness plans and lead the process for food cluster through identification of needs, severity, geographical scope, and People in Need, with the support of the IMO and in consultation with the cluster partners
3. Ensure timely, inclusive, and regular information sharing and discussion with the food cluster partners through various modalities including cluster meetings, email dissemination of cluster products (dashboards, maps, assessments, etc.).
4. Facilitate / lead needs assessment & analysis, support in conducting surveys, secondary data review, and dissemination of available information (inventory / repository) to partners.
5. Actively track food cluster funding status for the dedicated response in Afar.
6. Establish and maintain Technical Working Groups in the region to support partners in key thematic areas (ex: cash, targeting, monitoring etc.) or key thematic emergencies
7. Identifying, coordinating and compiling resource requirements (human, financial, assets) and pro-actively monitoring and managing risks
8. Coordinating with the Head of Sub-Office the WFP Security Focal Point to ensure that relevant WFP, UNDSS and country specific policies and procedures are being implemented
9. Identifying and calling forward staffing needs, approving work plans for the emergency operations, and proactively monitoring and alerting when a change in profile is needed
10. Monitoring and managing the utilization of resources to ensure expenditures are in line with the agreed spending plan
11. Monitoring supply chain (food and cash), and clearing the procurement plan for the operation
12. Ensuring that implementation for the emergency operation complies with WFP rules, regulations and policies – including being familiar with exceptional rules and regulations during emergencies
13. Participating in meetings of the Operational Taskforce (OTF)
14. Overseeing operational information related to the emergency
15. Provide update on relief food movement (allocation, dispatch, delivery and distribution) for the Afar Region regularly and share with all concerned country office units and the sub-office
16. Establish and build relations with relevant focal points relating to emergency response in the Government

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance.

Experience: 

• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience in UN organizations, international and/or national NGOs, Government entities or private sector with a focus on humanitarian work..
• Experience working in collaboration with a diverse array of humanitarian actors, including governments, NGOs, UN agencies, civil society, etc.
• Experience of coordination and facilitation of general meetings, conducting emergency programme response trainings and facilitating workshops.
• Experience in country-level humanitarian operations in large-scale emergencies is an advantage.
• Experience supporting food assistance (in-kind and/or CBT) programming and distribution is an advantage.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professional communication skills.
• Ability to work within tight deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously independently.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage programs, leadership and teamwork skills, good analytical, communication, negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and show proactivity is essential.

Language:

•  Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English (proficiency/Level C).
• Knowledge of the local language is an added advantage.