Programme Policy Officer SC 9 (St. Lucia)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The 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.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• 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 the various country, 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.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) 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. WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) supports 22 countries and territories across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. Leveraging its global expertise, WFP implements a cross-functional programme of activities aimed at strengthening regional and national preparedness, as well as building systems to deliver timely and appropriate assistance to people affected by shocks and disasters. This includes technical assistance in the areas of social protection, climate and disaster risk financing, vulnerability and risk analysis, end-to-end supply chain management, food security and food systems and resilient livelihoods. During crises that exceed national and regional capacities, WFP collaborates with governments and their partners to provide emergency in-kind and cash-based food assistance or by supporting emergency logistics and telecommunications services.

In Saint Lucia, WFP works closely with the government including the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development and the National Emergency Management Organisation to strengthen the readiness of national systems to respond to shocks and build people’s resilience to future weather- and climate-related events, particularly through strengthened social protection, food systems and school feeding, disaster risk financing and anticipatory action and emergency preparedness and response capacities. WFP also collaborates with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States on policy development, capacity building, country-to-country knowledge exchange and learning.

JOB PURPOSE:

In this context, WFP’s MCO is seeking a Programme Policy Officer (PPO) to advance its technical assistance efforts aligned with Saint Lucia’s national priorities. The PPO will lead the development and management of programmes and partnerships, focusing on strengthening social protection systems, enhancing emergency preparedness and response and building long-term resilience. Key responsibilities include setting priorities, developing and monitoring workplans, coordinating technical support, managing risks, fostering collaboration across functional teams, and engaging with partners including national government institutions, civil society, United Nations agencies and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. The PPO will also coordinate closely with WFP MCO in Barbados and other WFP Satellite Offices including Dominica, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Contribute to the strategic design and development of activities and projects in Saint Lucia and across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), ensuring coherence with WFP’s mandate and programmatic areas, regional strategies, and national priorities.

• Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes and strategies that complies with WFP standards and procedures.

• Develop, monitor, and adjust workplans to achieve results, ensuring the efficient and effective use of assigned financial resources to deliver objectives within agreed scope, budget, and timelines.

• Identify and manage risks that may affect programme delivery and propose appropriate mitigation measures.

• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to strengthen collaboration, coordinated implementation, monitor progress, and address potential challenges to programme implementation.

• Strengthen WFP’s leadership and visibility in relevant forums—such as those on food security, social protection, disaster resilience and disaster risk financing—through active participation, presentations, briefings, and the development of information products and related materials.

• Conduct research and analysis on policy and operational issues to inform programme development, and systematically capture and share key lessons learned and best practices to enhance strategic planning and implementation.

• Support government counterparts and partners in identifying opportunities for WFP support, and provide technical expertise for the planning, formulation, and implementation of programmes that strengthen social protection systems and improve emergency response capacity.

• Establish and maintain operational partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve institutional capacities in social protection, Anticipatory Action, Disaster Risk Financing, and other key areas of WFP’s expertise.

• Contribute to resource mobilization by articulating programme needs and opportunities, and monitor the resource situation of projects—including commodity and cash availability—seeking guidance from senior colleagues as required.

• Contribute to the MCO’s emergency preparedness efforts, including contingency planning, cross-functional coordination, and stakeholder engagement, to ensure WFP’s readiness to respond to shocks and disasters.

• 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.

• Provide guidance and supervision to junior staff, serving as a point of reference and supporting them in addressing queries and delivering quality outputs.

• Others as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS (details to be determined by Post Managers):

WFP provides emergency response support to the 22 English and Dutch-speaking countries in the Caribbean as needed. In this role, the incumbent may be required to:

• Support the Programme Unit's emergency response activities.

• Deploy to affected countries to assist with Programme Unit operations as required.

• Work beyond regular working hours to support emergency response efforts.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Demonstrated experience in programme design, management and implementation, including leading projects of significant size and complexity.

• Proven ability to engage with technical teams and apply specialized knowledge in areas such as social protection, food security, resilience building, and emergency preparedness.

• Track record of building and managing partnerships with government institutions, civil society, UN agencies, or regional organizations.

• Experience contributing to policy dialogue and providing technical inputs that inform government strategies, programme priorities, or institutional decision-making.

• Professional experience in international development, preferably within international or regional institutions, or the United Nations system considered an asset.

• Experience in emergency response considered an asset.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC 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 two (2) additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: Three to Five years of relevant experience.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language.

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.