Programme Policy Officer- Project Manager

The Consultant will serve as Project Manager and will be responsible for the overall implementation of McGovern Dole funded projects aiming at providing continuous food assistance to selected schools, promote nutrition and literacy through school meal, and strengthening national capacity to establish sustainable school lunch programme.

He/ she will also support the implementation of action plan developed after System Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) assessment to strengthen the national capacity, aiming successful transition of SLP to the government.

 The Programme Policy Officer will operate under the supervision of the School Feeding Coordinator and in close collaboration with WFP management, WFP field offices involved in the project implementation as well as with the Government stakeholders at different level.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Manage all aspects of the ongoing MGD FY20 funded project and future projects expected to be funded by USDA grants.
• Maintain effective relationships with the USDA McGovern-Dole team, WFP’s Washington Office, and all relevant WFP Headquarter units involved in McGovern-Dole projects.
• Work with SO 1 manager to manage all MGD funded project with developing quarterly and annual project plans, monitor ongoing project performance against budget, ensuring adherence to guidance and policies, and providing financial analysis and advice to optimise resources.
• Provide technical and coordination support to the school feeding Team in Vientiane and Field Offices with regards to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of MGD funded projects.
• Closely work with SO 1 team to develop project implementation guidelines and SOP s for managing activities under MG projects.
• Create and review project budget plans with SO 1 Manager.
• Develop complete set of guidance and training package on USDA McGovern-Dole project management to train WFP CO staff.
• Work with Government Engagement Officer in SO 1 team to get government support for implementing SLP transition strategy.
• Closely work with Research, Analysis and Mapping (RAM) team to oversee the monitoring system including school visit strategy, MDR submission, and field visits plans to report on MGD programme implementation.
• Implementation of project performance and impact evaluations, in line with the donor-approved evaluation plan and terms of reference.
• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects progress and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
• Work closely with the other teams operating under the program unit, as well as Monitoring & Evaluation, to track and analyze project data that enable informed decision making.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to USDA Provide regular inputs to WFP and donors, such as lessons learnt, stories for the website, success stories etc. 
• Look for operational partnerships opportunities to ensure a quality project implementation.
• Work in close collaboration with the operations team and will be responsible for drafting terms of reference for evaluations and assessments related to the activities implement under MGD projects.
• Advice and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to design and deliver effective SO1 programmes.
• Guide and supervise more junior staff.  Giving them motivation and technical support to enable high performance.
• Contribute to resource mobilisation efforts in support to SLP implementation.
• Support the roll out of the SABER action plan related activities under MGD project and support national capacity strengthening.
• Perform other tasks as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:  Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
• An experience in managing school lunch programme will be considered a plus.

Source: https://career5.successfactors.eu//career?career_ns=job_listing&company=C0000168410P&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&rcm_site_locale=en_GB&career_job_req_id=833035