International Consultant Programme Policy Officer- Head of Programme – Kananga

Qualified women and people with physical impairments are strongly encouraged to apply. 

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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, disability. 

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY

JOB TITLE:    Programme Policy Officer/Head of Programme

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 07.06.2024
TYPE OF CONTRACT:    CST 2 (This is an International Professional position and candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment)
UNIT/DIVISION:    Programme/DR Congo
DUTY STATION (City, Country):    Kananga, DR Congo
DURATION:    11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

This position is located in the sub office of Kananga, DRC, and report to the Head of Area Office and technically to the Head of Programme at CO level.   
Job holder at this level demonstrate leadership skills, capacity to coordinate. Candidate is expected to have the sense of responsibility and initiative to respond independently to queries with general guidance;
There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen problems on a daily basis

The purpose of the position is to supervise the implementation of the Programme portfolio, lead and manage Programme Unit in Kananga Area Office (Great Kasai) to ensure the effective and efficient management of WFP programmes and activities (unconditional Assistance, Resilience, Nutrition, School Feeding).

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.    Support the Head of Office and the CO Programme team in defining and implementing the new programme strategy for the Area Office, transitioning from Emergency to resilience-oriented and development activities to respond to chronic food insecurity in the area;
2.    Translate WFP-wide programme policy into field level practices, programme guidance and implementation modalities and operations, to ensure a clear and strong connection between Country Office and field operations in Kasai Central and Oriental Provinces;
3.    Provide advice and support to Kananga Area Office delivering a complex portfolio of programmes to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, Executive Board decisions, and other relevant guidance;
4.    Provide technical advice or mobilise technical expertise, on a wide range of programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities and appropriate food products, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies to support local government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition;
5.    Coordinate  the Field Office operations’ planning, distributions, monitoring and evaluation undertakings, for on-going and /or emergency response tasks;
6.    Develop and follow up the implementation of projects and activities: General Food Distributions (vulnerables people, IDPs, Victims of natural disasters…); Cash Based Transfer Nutrition; School Feeding; Support to Smallholder Farmers, Food for Assets, etc.
7.    Collaborate with governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully deployed at the local level and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of food assistance programmes, including advice on the context- specific transfer modalities (food, cash or vouchers and capacity strengthening);
8.    Evaluate food needs in emergency situation and assist the Field Office in establishing timely response plans and monitor their subsequent implementation;

9.    Conduct regular meeting with Supply Chain to assets the pipeline situation, the calls forwards and coordinate on issues related to timely food deliveries to Cooperating Partners (CPs) and in accordance with the requirements;
10.    Prepare and negotiate Field Level Agreements (FLAs) with partners, including budgets and staff cost on the basis of WFP cost;
11.    Hold accountability and/or prepare accurate and comprehensive analysis and reports on WFP operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Kananga Area Office, review to identify programme support requirements and inform operational planning and decisions;
12.    Provide support to food security and nutrition policies and programmes as well as to the development and implementation of Monitoring, Review and Evaluation Plans aligned to WFP DRC and corporate standards to generate quality evidence on the lives of beneficiaries and inform policy, strategy and programme design and implementation.
13.    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;
14.    Maintain regular meetings with partners to encourage fluid communication and address any operational challenges as quickly as possible;
15.    Find complementary strategic partnerships with other UN agencies in Food Security and Nutrition;
16.    Contribute in development of training material and capacity building efforts of WFP field staff, including with regular field missions.
17.    Oversee the Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping and Monitoring and Evaluation activities that support WFP food security and nutrition policies and programmes (needs assessment and situation analyses, programme design, targeting, cost effectiveness, and operational efficiency).
18.    Oversee and participate in the development and implementation of monitoring, review and evaluation plans aligned to WFP DRC and corporate standards to generate quality evidence on the lives of beneficiaries and inform policy, strategy and programme design and implementation.
19.    Other as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Accountable for timely completion and delivery of all project deliverables, including annual work plans, progress reports, and technical outputs …
• Create a program management plan. 
• Develop and implement the overall strategy for the program team.
• Develop a risk mitigation plan.
• Report on program performance to the Head of Office and Head of Programme at Country Office level.
• Produce a closeout report upon program completion.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:    

• Advanced University degree in Political Science, Economics, Statistics, Business Management, Social Sciences or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses

Experience:    

• At least 6 years of experience in the design and/or implementation of programmes in both humanitarian and development contexts;
• Good understanding of project lifecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities;
• In-depth knowledge of relevant field of specialization (food security, nutrition, humanitarian, development, social protection) is an asset;
• Good conceptual and analytical capacity; Leadership, management and negotiation skills;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision;
• Ability to explain projects to field counterparts and communicate with Government and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and staff within the office, host population, donors, NGOs and other UN agencies; Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety; flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description

Knowledge & Skills:    

• Demonstrated experience in project/operations management;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, able to clearly articulate insights to Portfolio Programme implementation stakeholders;
• Knowledge of common business principals and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate UN/WFP specific processes and systems;
• Understanding of all Programme processes and all functional area specialized responsibilities;
• Experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams;

Languages:    Fluency (level C) in French language and at least intermediate knowledge (level B) of English language

APPLICATION DEADLINE

07/06/2024

This is an International Consultancy position and candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.​

Please note that the only documents you need to submit at this time are your CV and cover letter.  Additional documents such as passports, letters of recommendation, university certificates, etc. may potentially be requested in the future.

For candidates who have difficulty accessing the WFP e-recruitment platform and require support in applying, please contact us at the following e-mail address: [email protected], quoting the vacancy number in the subject line.

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 from sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of power. Consequently, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any contract will be offered to members of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the FAO Finance Committee, the WFP External Auditor, the WFP Audit Committee, the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities for WFP, either during their service or for three years following termination.