Programme Policy Officer NOB - Resilience and Food Systems

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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 or disability.

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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

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 Afghanistan’s Country Strategic Plan 2018-2026 focuses on a new strategic shift towards strengthening resilience of communities, recognizing the interconnected nature of relief, nutrition, safety nets, food systems, capacity strengthening and partnerships, addressing some of the above causes within the context of chronic drought and frequent climate-related shocks.

A key focus area is on building sustainable productive community and household climate resilience assets, small scale value chains to prevent and reduce the impact of man-made and natural shocks on vulnerable populations. This position will support, the development and implementation of WFP’s productive assets and livelihoods especially focusing on small scale value chain, climate adaptive interventions and community based asset creation, particularly working with most vulnerable people including women and youths, strengthening community and household resilience.

JOB PURPOSE

Lead and coordinate the design, implementation, and oversight of WFP Afghanistan’s Resilience and Food Systems (RFS) portfolio, ensuring integration of climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and nutrition-sensitive approaches.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

1. Programme Design & Strategic Leadership

• Lead the Ecosystem, Community Infrastructure and Livelihood (ECL) component of RFS.
• Coordinate and oversee implementation of small-scale value chains (SSVC), food systems initiatives, post-harvest management, nutrition-sensitive projects, and climate/disaster risk management including forecast-based financing.

2. Climate & Resilience Integration

• Formulate and integrate community-based resilience and early warning initiatives.
• Mainstream climate adaptation, DRR, and climate finance preparedness into resilience projects.
• Identify, validate, and scale DRR solutions linked to ECL activities.

3. Engineering Technical Review & Quality Assurance

• Review engineering designs, drawings, BOQs, and technical packages for compliance with WFP standards.
• Provide guidance to WFP and partners; and act as RFS focal point to collaborate with engineering technical units to improve designs in line with corporate policies.

4. Food Systems & Livelihood Development

• Contribute to projects on climate-smart agriculture, anticipatory actions, disaster risk reduction, and climate-resilient livelihoods.
• Mobilize private sector actors, agri-services, microfinance, and technology providers to develop scalable solutions for smallholders and MSMEs.
• Coordinate with ecosystem players to create sustainable, market-driven models.

5. Partnership Management

• Support RFS Calls for Proposals and partner selection: review proposals, provide feedback, and present to CPC.
• Develop implementation plans based on needs and resources; follow up on CPC recommendations.

6. Capacity Building & Field Support

• Support training on 3PA tools (Community-Based Participatory Planning, Seasonal Livelihood Programming).
• Conduct supervision missions to monitor progress, resolve challenges, and identify capacity-building needs for WFP teams and partners.

7. Monitoring, Evidence & Reporting

• Review M&E tools and partner reporting formats for resilience and livelihoods activities.
• Foster evidence generation with VAME/AIMS teams; ensure timely data collection and reporting.
• Prepare accurate donor proposals and reports; contribute to strategic decision-making.

8. Transition & Integration

• Develop strategies for transitioning from relief to recovery and resilience programmes, including integration of IDPs and returnees.
• Manage nutrition-sensitive initiatives linked to community infrastructure and market linkages.

9. Other Duties

• Perform additional tasks as required to support RFS objectives

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Engineering or related fields or First University Degree with additional years of programme experience

Experience:

• At least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience
• Exposure to humanitarian and/or development fields
• Relevant field experience in implementing technical programs related to resilience and livelihoods, how they relate to hunger and food security, and sustainable development.
• Relevant policy and strategy experience in providing input into policy discussion and decisions
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and ensure program integration in multi-stakeholder environments.

Desirable Experience, Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of major humanitarian and development challenges and issues, proficient knowledge of WFP Programme cycle.
• 10 years of Programme Management Experience
• Understanding of approaches to climate adaptive livelihoods support, disaster risk reduction, vocational skills and climate resilient asset creation, and small-scale value chains. Knowledge of emergency preparedness, preparedness planning, early warning, and emergency response.
• Strong teamwork and coordination capacities.
• Understanding of donor policies, strategies, and programmes priorities in relation to resilience building.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong experience in resource mobilization, partnership development, and proposal writing.

Languages:

Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Fluency in Dari/Pashto

This position is a National Officer role and UN Common System VA

.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

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.