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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply. 

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability. 

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. WFP has been present in Sri Lanka since 1968 and provided assistance to the country in emergency response and protracted recovery interventions in the aftermath of man-made disasters such as the 27-year confilict and recurrent natural disasters (Drought and floods/land slides). In full alignment with the forthcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027, WFP is working with the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 which has a strong emphasis on supporting systems, including those at both national and local levels.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer - Emergency, Preparedness and Anticipatory Actions

Contract Type: Service Contract (SC8)

Contract Duration: 01 Year

Duty Station: Colombo Sri Lanka

Nationality: Sri Lankan only

Remuneration: Attractive remuneration package following UN policy including salary and medical insurance

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

25 APRIL 2024

JOB PURPOSE

WFP is seeking a qualified and experienced candidate for the position of Programme Policy Officer, Emergency Preparedness and Anticipatory Actions to undertake project planning and implementation in line with WFP's Country Strategic Plan. The officer will work with respective government agencies and with local level actors to implement a coordinated approach and enhance partnerships to strengthen systems. WFP's work to prevent, prepare, respond from disasters and climate shocks and stressors is central to its mandate to achieve hunger. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Contribute towards the development of projects/programmes, plans and processes on Emergency Preparedness and Anticipatory Actions, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance of WFP.
2. Provide technical assistance to disaster management authorities to integrate disaster risk management strategies especially emergency preparedness and response and anticipatory actions into policies, plans and programmes.
3. Coordinate with relevant stakeholders including government agencies, NGOs, and community groups to ensure effective disaster preparedness, anticipatory actions, response, and recovery efforts. 
4. Provide and/or facilitate training and capacity-building initiatives related to the National Disaster Management Plan and to operationalize the national Emergency Operation Plan in collaboration with relevant authorities.
5. Collaborate with relevant authorities to strengthen early warning systems, anticipatory actions and response mechanisms for natural disasters and other emergencies.
6. Facilities the development of contingency plans and emergency response protocols for various disaster scenarios.
7. Support the development of emergency assessment capacities, contingency planning, minimum preparedness actions, scenario development, and Concept of Operations to ensure adequate operational readiness and where feasible, a transition plan and integration with disaster risk management, social protection, nutrition, and resilience building activities
8. Support in the development, planning, implementation, and evidence generation process of embedding anticipatory actions into national systems, working extensively with government and the Anticipatory Action Technical Working Group. This includes providing technical assistance on protocols, establishing triggers, and organizing pre-financing arrangement through institutional processes. 
9. Identify opportunities to link anticipatory actions to strengthen social protection systems.
10. Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in disaster risk management.
11. Advocate for policies and investments that promote resilience and reduce vulnerability to hazards in communities and infrastructure.
12. Liaise with international organizations and donor agencies to secure funding and support for Emergency Preparedness and Anticipatory Actions initiatives.
13. Provide technical guidance to Improve coordination and information management among disaster management, humanitarian agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, communities and other stakeholders.
14. Collaborate with research institutions and academia to generate knowledge and evidence on disaster risk management and resilience-building strategies. 
15. Ensure programme design advances WFP's Gender Equality and embeds nutrition-sensitive approaches.
16. Take responsibility for an equitable and inclusive workplace which incorporates all dimension of the WFP diversity and inclusion framework.
17. other activities, as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

Education: Postgraduate qualification (postgraduate degree with a minimum of 5 years or a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 7 years) in Economics, Social Policy, Social Sciences, International Development, or Disaster Risk Management.  

Experience: Candidates should possess a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in an international organization if they hold a Master's degree, or 5 years of professional experience if they hold a Bachelor's degree, with specific experience working in the disaster management sector. 

Knowledge an Skills:  Strong knowledge in emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk management, risk sensitive planning, and data analysis. Strong understanding of information analysis, monitoring and evaluation and reporting. Knowledge and skills in project management, sector coordination, government, and donor relations, Knowledge in developing technical documents in disaster management. Proven skills in advancing and advocating for gender equality, inclusion, and nutrition with the disaster management sector.

Languages: Fluency in English and any of the UN languages. Knowledge of local is an asset. 

To Apply:

Click ‘Apply’ to the link below to start the application process. Candidates are requested to create an account in WFP E-Recruitment system before applying.

Please also include your CV with a cover letter, highlighting your motivation and suitability for this vacancy, as part of an online application.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary and medical insurance.

Please visit https://www.wfp.org/countries/sri-lanka to learn more about WFP’s operations in Sri Lanka.

We want to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible. Please contact us at gimhani.kariyawasam@wfp.org to advise us of any accessibility needs you may have.  

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.