Home Vacancies Senior Programme Advisor

Senior Programme Advisor

Senior Programme Advisor

JOB TITLE: Senior Programme Advisor

TYPE OF CONTRACT: CST

UNIT/DIVISION: Joint UNHCR and WFP Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Home-based with significant travel

DURATION: 6 months, with possibility of renewal

Job Description

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

In April 2020, UNHCR and WFP established the UNHCR-WFP Joint Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub (the ‘Joint Hub’). With the aim of putting policy into practice, the Joint Hub reinforces and operationalizes corporate policy commitments while responding to the growing demand of country offices and regional bureaus for technical and coordination services.

The Joint Hub has to date supported 13 joint operations, with additional requests incoming on a rolling basis from both regional and country offices. While still relatively new, the Joint Hub has been effective in achieving joint aims where these have otherwise been elusive. The combination of advanced technical skills, rigor, and know-how with sustained coordination support has provided early proof of concept in the delivery of protective, people-centered, needs-based solutions. Through a process of iteration, the initiative has also captured key learnings on effective collaboration, including prerequisites for success, associated costs and efficiencies of scale, as well as frequent challenges and pitfalls. Importantly, this process has also revealed opportunities to leverage joint analysis in the pursuit strategic results, including longer-term durable solutions together with external stakeholders.

The priority of the Joint Hub (2023 – 2025) is to consolidate existing gains and generate further evidence, while placing greater emphasis on medium and longer-term population outcomes in self-reliance and inclusion. To that end, in the coming period the Joint Hub will support interested operations to leverage joint analysis and articulate and pursue concrete actions that supports the two organizations’ aligned vision to expand sustainable food security, nutrition, self-reliance and inclusion though increased collaboration with governments and other stakeholders. This is in line with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and reflective of the Call to Action by UNHCR and WFP management to accelerate such efforts.

The Joint Hub is led by a Joint Coordinator, reporting to the project leads governed by the Strategic Advisory Group (StAG), consisting of senior UNHCR and WFP staff from relevant units.

To support the activities under the Joint Hub, UNHCR and WFP are jointly recruiting a Senior Programme Advisor (SPA).

Working arrangements for this position will be remote in the country of residence of the candidate with frequent travel.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Joint Coordinator and in close collaboration with other members of the Joint Hub and respective agencies, the SPA will drive the delivery of high-quality joint strategies and programmes across the humanitarian – development nexus. This position requires thought leadership, innovation, strong experience with evidence-based strategy and programme design, exposure to a range of relevant technical tools and approaches, as well as strong stakeholder and people management skills.

S/he will support the Joint Hub team, county operations, regional bureaus and HQ to achieve greater outcomes for refugees and displaced persons through joint analysis, programming and planning. S/he will be responsible for the following activities:

  • Foster an environment and culture that supports the Joint Hubs vision, mission and values and promotes strong performance and positive morale while ensuring the implementation and advancement of collaborative work at field level.
  • Provide strategic and technical support as well as managerial leadership on a broad range of programme issues across the programme cycle (including assessment and analysis, programme design including transfer modalities and appropriate assistance, targeting and/or prioritization decisions, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies) to the Hub team and UNHCR/WFP country offices (CO) to support WFP and UNHCR efforts to address nutrition and food security, basic needs and protection.
  • Leverage data and analysis to support country teams to develop joint programmes, plans and strategies to support basic needs, self-reliance and the broader inclusion agenda, informed by global WFP/ UNHCR frameworks and the commitments and pledges of governments and external stakeholders.
  • In collaboration with respective HQ/regional bureau (RB) technical teams in WFP and UNHCR, support and advise COs in identifying and articulating resilience and inclusion opportunities, including through government pledges and or pledges made by bilateral or multilateral development and/or peacebuilding partners.
  • In collaboration with respective HQ/RB technical teams in WFP and UNHCR, provide technical leadership and support for partnership building in identified countries, including with government, development actors and International Financial Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks and others to incorporate WFP and UNHCR persons of concern into their planning, design and delivery.
  • Support the development of comprehensive multi-year multi-partner plans/strategies to facilitate the resilience of populations of concern and their inclusion into national and local development planning and programming instruments enhancing.
  • Lead the Joint Hub efforts linked to the UNHCR/WFP Call to Action which outlines the aligned vision of the agencies for greater sustainable food and nutrition security, self-reliance and inclusion.
  • Keeps abreast of latest emerging trends and innovative approaches to strengthen policy and programme formulation for forcibly displaced persons.
  • Monitor and ensure the dissemination and discussion of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, as well as external stakeholder positions and relevant policy developments with the Joint Hub team, WFP and UNHCR focal points at CO, RB and HQ level.
  • Facilitate coordination and collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and experience between WFP and UNHCR operations at CO, RB and HQ level by documenting and disseminating practices and facilitating events and learning exchanges.
  • Take responsibility for an equitable and inclusive workplace which incorporates all dimensions of the WFP diversity and inclusion framework.
  • Work co-operatively as part of a team and ensure that a positive working culture is maintained and supported.
  • Maintain effective and open communication, ensuring that colleagues are kept up to date of any issues relating to the Joint Hub’s work and the support it provides.
  • Supervision of Joint Hub technical experts.
  • Participate in/represent the Joint Hub in relevant agency and interagency events/fora.
  • wAny other related tasks as agreed with the Joint Coordinator.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

  • The Joint Hub team actively translates available data and analysis into short medium and long-term programmatic and strategic outcomes.
  • Joint Hub supported countries and RBs have robust programming and strategies in place to support basic needs, self-reliance and inclusion.
  • UNHCR and WFP knowledge of joint programming and strategic planning increased.
  • Best practices and lessons learned have been documented and learning materials developed to ensure sustainable capacity development and country, regional and global levels.
  • Internal and external strategic partnerships are built and maintained.
  • A cohesive team environment is fostered.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:
  • Advanced University degree in an area such as Forced displacement, Migration Studies, Development Studies, Peace & conflict studies, International Law, International Relations or Political Science and/or other related fields is required.
Experience:
  • At least eleven (11) years of progressively responsible experience in design and implementation of programmes and policies in humanitarian and development contexts.
  • At least five (5) years working in the field of humanitarian/development assistance for IFIs, the UN, NGOs, donors, think tanks and/or another relevant entity.
  • Prior experience with UNHCR and/or WFP a plus.
  • Relevant experience in complex stakeholder management and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
Knowledge & Skills:
  • Demonstrated experience in evidence-based planning, programme design and implementation as it relates to food security, nutrition, protection, resilience and nexus programming and implementation.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing evidence-based community engagement/ AAP strategies in humanitarian contexts.
  • Strong analytical, policy and programme development skills are required.
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic thinking, partnership development and management, innovation, capacity development and coordination.
  • Experience working on forced displacement in humanitarian and/or development contexts.
  • Knowledge of the UN system, Global Compact on Migration, Global Compact on Refugees, World Bank, IMF and bilateral and multilateral partners is desirable.
  • Demonstrated ability to present complex findings to non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for the Joint Hub’s core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all.
  • Ability to work toward a common goal with others by communicating clearly, actively listening to others, taking responsibility for mistakes, and respecting different perspectives of stakeholders.
  • Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice.
  • Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language.
  • Experience working in dynamic and innovative environments.
  • Demonstrated thought leadership and strong management skills.
  • Willingness to travel extensively to provide in-country support.
Languages:
  • Fluency (level C) in the English language;
  • Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language.

Deadline for applications: 17 April 2023

Ref: VA 681256

 

APPLY FOR THIS JOB>>>