Programme Policy Officer (Head of Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS), CST II, South Sudan

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.

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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).

JOB TITLE:    Programme Policy Officer – Head of Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS) 

TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Regular Consultant (CST Level-2)
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme, Food Systems and Resilience
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Juba, South Sudan
 DURATION:    11 Months (renewable subject to performance and budget availability)

BACKGROUND AND JOB PURPOSE:
WFP’s Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS) strengthens climate resilient agriculture production, food systems, inclusive market systems for smallholder farmers (SHFs) through post-harvest loss (PHL) reduction, farmer organization (FO) capacity, quality assurance, and structured market linkages. In South Sudan, protracted conflict, climate extremes and economic volatility necessitate integrated, conflict-sensitive resilience programming that layers and sequences SAMS with assets creation/DRR, nutrition, shock responsive social protection, home grown school feeding (HGSF) and emergency responses.

JOB PURPOSE
Provide strategic direction and operational leadership to the SAMS portfolio in South Sudan focusing on budget management, fundraising, capacity building of cooperating partners and Field Offices, development of SOPs and technical manuals, management of SAMS staff, and coordination to deliver conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive, environmentally and socially compliant SAMS that is layered and sequenced with other resilience and nutrition initiatives.
Objectives
•    Scale context-appropriate SAMS models that reduce PHL, strengthen inclusive aggregation, and expand market linkages.
•    Integrate SAMS with FFA/assets,HGSF, nutrition-sensitive programming, and anticipatory climate action with well thought layering/sequencing approach.
•    Institutionalize quality and compliance via SOPs/technical manuals and adherence to Environmental Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF), Protection & accountability to affected populations (AAP), Gender Policy, Inclusive programming.
•    Mobilize resources and manage budgets (including from IFIs, specialized donors) for SAMS, value chain investments and market systems strengthening.
Reporting Lines
•    Reports to Head of Food Systems & Resilience in the Country Office. 
•    Works closely with Supply Chain, Nutrition, Gender Protection Inclusion (GPI), School Feeding, Emergency, Asset Creation and Livelihoods, Social Safety Nets, Engineering, M&E/VAME,Cooperating Partner Management, Partnerships and Communication, Risk and Compliance, Security, and Field Office Programme teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

1.Strategic Direction & Programme Integration
Develop and implement a SAMS Strategy and Integration Plan with geographic and thematic layering across resilience and nutrition programmes. Operationalize 3PA tools (ICA, SLP, CBPP) for participatory planning and convergence, linking households supported under WFP initiatives such as FFA, Home-Grown School Meals, and nutrition programmes.
2.Budget & Resource Mobilization
Lead annual work planning and budgeting, monitor burn rates and forecasts, and ensure high-quality donor reporting, including ACR inputs. Prepare concept notes and proposals on climate adaptation, post-harvest management (PHM), value chains, gender, and protection.
3.Capacity Building & SOP Development
Design and deliver ToT modules on PHM, aggregation and QA, farmer organization governance, market intelligence, and cross-cutting themes (gender, protection/AAP, conflict sensitivity, ESSF). Develop SAMS SOPs for aggregation, PHM technology, market contracting, and compliance, alongside technical manuals on PHM, grading, aggregation center operations, governance, and climate risk management.
4.Gender, Protection & Compliance
Integrate WFP Gender Policy and AAP components into programme design and M&E. Apply conflict sensitivity strategies and lead ESSF screening, ESMP preparation, and food safety compliance.
5.Value Chain Development & Innovation
Conduct value chain and market analyses for key crops, define upgrading actions, and facilitate buyer linkages, supporting localization, MSMEs. Promote SHF access to finance, savings, income generation, and climate-resilient technologies, aligned with procurement policies and lessons learned.
6.Coordination, Staff Management & Learning
Chair SAMS coordination, supervise staff, set work plans, and conduct performance reviews. Establish KPIs (PHL reduction, volumes sold, income, women’s leadership, compliance), consolidate dashboards, and produce learning reports. Ensure donor and program visibility through a robust communication plan.
7.Partnerships & Sustainability
Engage government, UN agencies, Rome Based Agencies, private sector, and financial institutions; embed capacities in field offices; and align with CO Resilience Strategy and procurement policies for sustained impact.
Any other duties can be assigned as necessary. 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:    Advanced University degree or higher, or First university degree with additional experience and training/courses in one or more of the following disciplines: Agriculture, Value Chains, business, economics, social policy, rural development, international development or related disciplines.
Experience:

•    Five (5) years or more of postgraduate relevant experience. For bachelor’s degree holder, at least seven (7) years of the above experience is required
•    Experience in coordination of entrepreneurship programmes.
•    Has taken leadership in implementing programmes.
•    Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.
•    Demonstrated expertise and knowledge on main technical areas related to watershed development and landscape management, soil and water conservation, water infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, rural and urban livelihoods, synergies with nutrition-sensitive programmes, food systems related value chains development, or other social safety nets etc.
•    Experience leading and supporting multidisciplinary technical teams.
•    Experience in operations which include integrated resilience building to shocks, asset creation, livelihoods, and other types of activities as relevant.
•    Experience shaping operational strategies and technical partnerships. 
•     contributed to major resilience programme in country/region.
•    Experience in participatory planning at community level and facilitation of multi-stakeholder consultations.
•    Demonstrated experience in engaging with national and local governments on resilience and related agenda.
•    The ability to establish and maintain partnerships with internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Knowledge and Skills:

•    Proven leadership capacity to build and foster an inclusive team.
•    Proven capacity to initiate and lead innovation that strives for continuous improvements.
•    Good coordination skills
•    Strong motivation to make a difference and to contribute to WFP’s mandate.
•    Proven effective cognitive abilities, analytical and problem-solving skills.
•    Learning agility and thirst for constant growth.
•    Openness and passion for new experiences and multicultural environment.
•    The ability to communicate effectively and compellingly, orally and in writing.
•    Proficiency in utilising computers, including word processing, spreadsheet, power point, and other office software packages and systems.

Competencies:

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
http://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000157166/download/
Competencies: Cognitive Capacity, Teamwork, Action Management, Partnerships, Client Orientation.

Languages:

Working knowledge (written and oral) of English (proficiency/level C)

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

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only.

• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.