Job Opportunity at WFP, Programme Policy Officer

TITLE: Programme Policy Officer (Joint Programme on Rural Women Economic Empowerment National Coordinator)

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Fixed Term (Full time position, possibility of flexible working arrangements)

GRADE: NOA

UNIT/DIVISION: Programme

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Dar Es Salaam, with frequent travel to Dodoma, Singida and Zanzibar

DURATION: 1 year, renewable up to 5 years (Subject to Performance)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. 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, physical or mental disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. WFP pursues a vision of the world in which every man, woman and child has access at all times to the diverse food needed for an active and healthy life.

The National Coordinator is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Joint Programme ‘Accelerating Progress towards Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE) in Tanzania. The Joint Programme is a five-year programme implemented through a partnership between FAO, IFAD, UN Women and WFP. The programme generates synergies that capitalize on each Agency’s mandate, comparative advantages and institutional strengths to generate lasting and large-scale improvements in the lives of rural women. The programme aims to secure the livelihoods, rights and resilience of rural women in the context of sustainable development and Agenda 2030 and focuses on four key outcomes for rural women: (1) improved food security and nutrition; (2) increased incomes to sustain livelihoods and build resilience; (3) increased voice and agency for full leadership and participation in rural communities and governance structures, and (4) more gender-responsive policy environment for the economic empowerment of rural women.

The joint programme in Tanzania is part of the global JP RWEE initiative, currently being implemented in five countries worldwide through the Multi Partner Trust Fund modality. The implementation of the JP in Tanzania is managed through the lead agency, WFP, and overseen by a National Steering Committee, consisting of senior representatives of the four participating agencies and government representatives. Implementation of the programme is monitored and supported by a Technical Working Group, consisting of technical focal points of each of the four agencies. A Programme Management Unit, situated within the lead agency, consisting of a National Coordinator and a MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Coordinator oversees the management and implementation of the programme. The National Coordinator leads, coordinates and oversees the implementation of the programme and collaborates closely with JP RWEE stakeholders.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:     

University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: international development, gender studies, behavioural economics, sociology, or related field.

Advanced University degree in International Development, gender studies, behavioural economics, Sociology or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Languages:

Fluency (oral and written) in English and Kiswahili

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The National Coordinator reports to Head of Programme in the lead agency WFP, and will also have accountability to the Global Coordinator, based in WFP’s headquarters in Rome.

JOB PURPOSE

The National Coordinator is responsible for the overall coordination, management and implementation of the Joint Programme and for liaising with key stakeholders. She/he will work in close collaboration with the technical focal points of the four participating agencies to ensure smooth programme implementation and will liaise with senior participating agency staff and government representatives with regards to the governance of the programme. He/she will play a critical role in ensuring that synergies are built and that strong coordination and communication between participating agencies, implementing partners, and government is in place. He/she will represent the Joint Programme with government and external stakeholders and ensure strong visibility of the programme. He/she will also participate in coordination processes organized by the Global Coordination Unit and in global level learning forums in order to enable cross fertilization and the sharing of good practice on a wider scale. The National Coordinator represents the JP RWEE in country. He/she is based within the lead agency and collaborates closely with the four participating agencies.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Coordination

• Lead the coordination mechanisms of the JP RWEE, serving as the overall manager of the programme for internal (participating organisations) and external partners (implementing partners, government and other stakeholders).
• Organize and lead monthly meetings with the Technical Working Group.
• Organize the National Steering Committee meetings and other meetings with government representatives and JP RWEE stakeholders as needed.
• Organize and lead a coordination platform between the participating agencies, implementing partners and other local stakeholders including local government on a bi-annual basis and as needed.
•  Lead the organization of multi-stakeholder forums and/or events.
• Liaise with and provide updates to senior management (including for the UN Resident coordinator) and government representatives as required.
• Provide regularly updates and respond in a timely manner to requests for information by the Global Coordination Unit.
• Attend National Coordinator meetings organised by the Global Coordination Unit.

Programme Management and Implementation

• Ensure a timely start up to the programme in line with inception/start-up plans.
• Ensure that systems for programme planning, implementation and monitoring are in place.
• Oversee the implementation of the programme in line with the approved proposal document and the annual work plan.
• Oversee the development of the annual workplan and budget, including review and provision of feedback to the four participating agencies and submit the workplan to the Global Coordinator, ensuring adherence to requirements.
• With the technical working group, address any challenges to implementation and identify solutions in a timely manner.
• Organise and lead joint field visits to the programme between the participating agencies, and field visits with government representatives as appropriate.
• Ensure that programme expenditure occurs as per the approved workplan and respond to any overspends/underspends in a timely manner.
• Ensure that programme performance indicators and milestones established by the Global Coordination Unit are met and put in place improvement measures as needed.
• Encourage programme innovation and ensure agencies maximise their relevant technical expertise.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES CONTINUED:

Monitoring and Reporting

• Ensure the implementation of the M&E system, in line with the approved M&E plan (led by the MEAL Coordinator).
• Lead quarterly review processes with participating agencies and implementing partners.
• Lead annual review workshops with JP RWEE stakeholders.
• Ensure that a complaints response mechanism is in place for the programme.
• Oversee the implementation of baselines, endlines, mid-term and final evaluation (led by the MEAL Coordinator).
• Ensure the accurate and timely submission of agency reports.
• Review and provide feedback on agency reports.
• Prepare country annual and bi-annual reports for donors, collating reporting information from the agencies, drafting reports and submitting the reports to the Global Coordination Unit to the quality and standard required.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Oversee the development and implementation of a knowledge management plan for the programme.
• Ensure that a culture of learning is developed across the programme and that wider agency take-up of programme methodologies is encouraged.
• Organise and lead experience sharing, including with participating agencies, implementing partners and beneficiaries.
• Identify good practices and lessons learned from the programme implementation and document this knowledge for wider replication and use.
• Ensure the regular use of the programme’s globally managed knowledge management by the participating agencies and make contributions to the platform as appropriate.
• Participate in learning and knowledge management processes organised by the Global Coordination Unit and contribute to cross fertilisation and South-South learning within the wider global programme.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES CONTINUED I:

HR/Administration

• Supervise the JP RWEE MEAL Coordinator, including carrying out performance appraisal.
• Identify opportunities for capacity building of partners and facilitate technical/ programming support and trainings to partners, as needed, particularly in relation to gender equality.
• Liaise with the Global Coordinator regarding issues relating to Fund requirements.
• Ensure the efficient signing of programme documents and submission of funds transfer requests.
• Ensure ToRs are in place for the governance and coordination mechanisms of the fund and are reviewed as appropriate.

Communications

• With the support of the Global Coordination Unit, develop a simple communications plan and ensure its implementation.
• Contribute to the development of communication products that promote programme visibility.

Other

• Perform any other related duties as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people’s skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
•  Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
•  Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name             Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level

Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools.

Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher) Demonstrates ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g., market studies) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development.

Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.) Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring.

Emergency Programming Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches.

Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to work independently in a timely and organized manner.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Strong coordination skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues and concepts in relation to rural development and poverty alleviation.
• Familiarity with the sustainable development goals, including SDG5.
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in women’s economic empowerment programming and gender equality is essential
• 5 years experience in managing and coordinating development programmes
• Experience of multi stakeholder partnerships• Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 All applications should be submitted through e-recruitment portal.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is 21 April 2022.

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 of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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

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