Social Protection Programme Policy Officer P3, in Regional Bureau Dakar (830001)

Are you an experienced Programme Policy officer (Social Protection) interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, 26 November 2023 (11:59 PM CET).

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

As a global leader in fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide, often in very difficult contexts, the World Food Programme (WFP) is increasingly called upon by governments to help implement or strengthen their social protection systems. Through its triple role providing technical advice, delivering on behalf of governments and providing complementary programmes, WFP is supporting national social protection systems, as it works with governments to extend the coverage, comprehensiveness, adequacy and quality of national social protection systems, with the aim to ensure that all people have access, throughout their lives, to strong national social protection systems that safeguard and foster their ability to meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs, and to reduce and address the risks and shocks they face.
Most of WFP country offices in the Western Africa region support national social protection systems in their strategies, programmes and initiatives, and there are good examples of such engagements conducted in very different contexts and settings.
With generous support from BMZ/KFW, WFP and UNICEF are implementing a joint programme to support Governments in the Sahel to provide critical social assistance support in the short and medium term, while contributing to strengthening national social protection systems in the medium to longer term. At regional level, the joint programme will create concrete evidence and lessons learned to inform and guide national dialogues on social protection programmes, policies, and systems in the three countries. It will also generate lessons and experiences that both agencies may carry forward in support of social protection in fragile and low-capacity contexts elsewhere in the region and beyond.

THE ROLE

To deliver against the above, WFP’s Regional Bureau for Western Africa is seeking a Social Protection Programme Policy Officer (P3) to support the implementation of the “Joint Social Protection Project” at regional and country level and support social protection engagement across the region. The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Regional Social Protection Advisor, and the overall guidance of Head of the Programme Support Unit and Deputy Regional Director. The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Coordinate with and support WFP Country offices in the Sahel regarding the implementation of project activities
• Support the implementation of the regionally-led activities of the project:
  • Contribute to evidence generation processes and content (supporting contracting process, support to country offices, technical inputs and contribution)
  • Support training, learning and coordination: contribute to defining activities and calendar, and support implementation (organization of training sessions, information sharing, contribution to technical notes, etc.)
  • Contribute to developing and implementing the communications plan in coordination with communications colleagues
• Ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements, mid-term and end point reviews.
• Contribute to the development and update of project workplans, budget reviews, and other project management activities, ensuring coordination with UNICEF regional social protection team
• Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of knowledge products or proposals for internal or external use that position and strengthen the credibility of WFP as a partner in social protection.
• Support country offices in the development of their Country Strategic Plans, ensuring inclusion of social protection.
• Design and manage social protection programmes of moderate size or complexity that effectively meet food security and nutrition needs;
• Establish and maintain strategic and operational partnerships for complementary and collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve social protection and support related advocacy work within all relevant audiences.
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums pertinent to social protection.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for WFP social protection activities, including by articulating a business case for WFP’s contributions to social protection and exploring new potential resource channels;
• Advise and support the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage in social protection-relevant policy dialogues, programme design and delivery.
• Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, or other fields relevant to social protection, or a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: 5 or more years of professional experience relevant to social protection, preferably contributing to food security and/or nutrition objectives:
• Has experience working across the policy cycle;
• Has experience working across various programme types relevant to social protection (e.g. cash-transfer programmes, school feeding, public works / food assistance for assets, insurance programmes);

Language: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of French.

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Understanding of Agenda 2030 and respective targets – particularly SDG1, SDG2 and SDG17 – and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them;
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection and public policy;
• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues;
• Problem solving and decision-making skills;
• Aptitude for supervising, guiding and empowering staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, conveying an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders;
• Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative information to understand current and future social protection needs and identify solutions.
• Learning agility, and appetite for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner;
• Ability to work as part of a team, participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others, regardless of gender, culture, background, experience, or country assignment.
• Moderate to proficient computer literacy.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOWwe work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity

Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork

Applies Strategic Thinking

Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships

Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others

Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change

Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth

Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things

Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is an International Professional position.
• Mobility is and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed term as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org)_including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
• The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Dakar, Senegal to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified