World Food Programme
POSITION LISTING DETAILS:
Job Title: Programme Policy Officer- Social Protection
Type and Level of Contract: Fixed Term, NOA
Functional Unit: Programme
Duty Station: Lilongwe (1)
Duration of Contract: 12 Months (renewable)
Date of Advertising: 09.05.2024 Deadline: 22.05.2024
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 job is based at the Malawi Country Office, Lilongwe. The Programme Policy Officer will manage a portfolio of activities that include contribution to and/or direct management of Social Protection and with oversight responsibility at Country Office level while supporting sub-offices. S/he will operate with considerable independence in her/his specialties and will be the day-today focal point contact for social protection programmes at Country Office level. WFP recognize its role for strategic engagement in social protection and emergencies to achieve SDG2 and contribute to the government’s objectives under Malawi’s Vision 2063, through improved targeting and design of emergency and social protection assistance programmes so no one is left behind.
JOB PURPOSE
The Country Office is seeking a Social Protection Programme Policy Officer to provide support to its social protection activities. The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Activity Manager for Emergency and Social Protection who reports to the Head of Programme.
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?
WFP partners with the Malawi Government, other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society and the private sector, to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a particular emphasis on reaching Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and aligning with government strategies, particularly its Vision 2063.
WFP focuses on innovation, resilience programming and climate change adaptation to address underlying challenges in the food systems.
Our work improves livelihoods for smallholder farmers and other vulnerable populations, with an emphasis on women and youth.
- WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
- WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
- WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
- A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various countries, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
- WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, leave plus medical insurance.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
1. Contribute towards the development of a limited number of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and guidance relevant to social protection.
2. Provide project management support to specific and defined social protection programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
3. Research and analyse policy and operational issues to inform the development of in-country social protection policies, strategies, programmes and activities.
4. Follow data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that quality standards are maintained for social protection programmes and projects.
5. Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on social protection programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
6. Contribute to the development, management and sharing of knowledge products pertinent to social protection.
7. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration.
8. Support the identification, development and management of external partnerships for improved support to national social protection.
9. Support the capacity strengthening of WFP staff, partners and national government to identify and address in-country social protection needs, e.g. by providing inputs into specific social protection guidance materials and/or learning initiatives.
10. Provide guidance to support staff, acting as a point of referral and assisting them with analysis and queries related to social protection.
11. Support the government of Malawi to ensure the UBR data is updated in a more regular manner and the UBR is interoperable with other key information management systems
12. Supporting the implementation, expansion, improvement of key national programmes;
13. Other as required.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Internationals Development, International Relations, Sociology, or other fields related to social protection, or First University Degree with additional 3 years of related work experience.
Experience: 3 or more years of relevant professional experience related to national development programmes, policies, strategies or plans and institutional structures, preferably in relation to social protection and/or revolving around food security and /or nutrition.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and the local language language.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• Understanding of Agenda 2030 and respective targets – particularly SDG1, SDG2 and SDG17 – and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them;
• Familiarity with WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection and public policy;
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in country capacity strengthening and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles;
• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, conveying an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders;
• Appetite for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches.
• 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.