WFP is looking for  Consultant Programme Policy Officer – Expression of Interest – Various locations in the Caribbean (122383)

 

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

This position is within WFP Caribbean, established to implement a multi-country technical assistance and capacity-strengthening programme in the Caribbean region (covering 22 countries and territories), supporting emergency preparedness and response (EPR) functions. The jobholder will have a Programme Policy Officer profile with relevant experience in EPR, food security and livelihoods interventions (cash, in-kind), social protection and safety nets, disaster risk management, cluster coordination and/or operational information management.

Note: In light of the containment measures introduced by Caribbean governments to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this post will be initially home-based with travel to countries of programme implementation as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Job purpose

WFP Caribbean is supporting the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and national governments in minimising the impact of shocks on vulnerable populations by strengthening regional and national capacities for a more effective, cost-efficient and predictable response to emergencies.

WFP is applying its global mandate and expertise in food security, logistics and emergency telecommunications to a programme of cross-functional activities designed to address identified gaps in response capacity, improve regional and national preparedness and strengthen systems to deliver rapid and appropriate assistance to shock affected populations. These include technical assistance in disaster risk and vulnerability analysis, integrated supply chain management, shock-responsive social protection, climate change adaptation and risk financing. WFP Barbados is also working with governments, bi-lateral organisations, UN agencies and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts and design responses to mitigate the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on affected populations.

It is in this context that the Programme Policy Officer will support the analysis, design, implementation and monitoring of EPR programmes and strategies, COVID-19 response plans and other capacity strengthening initiatives across a variety of programmatic functions under WFP’s Caribbean EPR strategy, including food security and livelihoods, shock-responsive social protection, vulnerability analysis and mapping, risk financing and climate change adaptation. TORs will be adapted to individual candidates experiences.

 

Key accountabilities (not all-inclusive)

  • Provide technical assistance in support of governments’ emergency preparedness and response efforts including on assessments and analysis, programme design, definition of modalities of assistance, deployment and testing of innovative approaches, training and knowledge management;
  • Support governments and other counterparts in identifying strategies and implementing programmes in response to COVID-19 including through national social protection programmes and other types of food security and livelihoods interventions;
  • Contribute towards the development of projects and provide project management support, ensuring alignment with WFP programme policies, standards and procedures;
  • Provide support in ensuring alignment of WFP’s programme and initiatives with national strategies and priorities, and promote coherence of approaches, in coordination and collaboration with UN agencies and other key stakeholders;
  • Establish and maintain operational partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work;
  • Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes and activities;
  • Prepare accurate and timely reports on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders;
  • Deploy as needed to support emergency response activates (direct WFP responses or as technical assistance to CDEMA and participating states) as required;
  • Other as required.

 

Standard minimum qualifications

Education: Advanced University Degree in International Affairs, Economics, Food Security, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development and humanitarian assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language

 

Desired experiences for entry into the role

  • Minimum of 5 years post graduate, progressively responsible, job related experience in development assistance projects, public sector management.
  • Experience in implementing and managing programmes, as well as providing inputs into programme design.
  • Specific experience with food security and livelihood assistance programmes, including through national social protection and safety nets, will be further valued.
  • Experience in government partnership implementation and in technical assistance areas will be considered as a strong asset.
  • General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.
  • Experience in responding to emergencies is an added advantage as is prior experience working for WFP.

 

Other specific job requirements

  • Ability to interpret and analyse a wide variety needs, partners’ requirements etc.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relations with internally and externally counterparts, partners and stakeholders with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
  • Ability to participate and promote open dialogue with the team, valuing the diverse opinion of others to achieve common goals.
  • Result oriented attitude.
  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
  • Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, excellent communication skills both orally and in writing;
  • Self-starter and able to work with minimum supervision;
  • Good analytical skills and experience in report writing;
  • Sound negotiation skills and ability to accept responsibility;
  • Experience in use of computer software (particularly MS Word, Excel, Power Point and GIS) and understanding of data collection and analysis methods;
  • Supervisory skills required.

 

Terms and conditions

Position: Programme Policy Officer

Unit: Barbados Office

Based in: Various locations in the English and/or Dutch Caribbean. Remote working until national restrictions allow for international travel.

Type of Contract: International Consultancy

Duration: 3-6 months with possibility of extension

Timeline: beginning immediately

 

Deadline for applications

9 June 2020

Apply here