Programme Policy Officer (Cash-Based Transfers) P3 - Beirut, Lebanon

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.

CONTEXT

Lebanon currently hosts the largest per capita population of Syrian refugees in the region and worldwide, with slightly over 1 million registered Syrian refugees. In response to this large number of refugees, WFP currently provides food assistance to over 700,000 UNHCR-registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon. WFP food assistance is provided mainly through electronic vouchers (e-cards). The implementation of the programme is supported by substantial analytical effort, including continuous vulnerability assessments of Syrian refugees, market and financial assessments, cost efficiency and effectiveness analysis, targeting and validation exercises and continued monitoring and evaluation.

As the Syrian conflict persists, effort is underway to strengthen the quality of the existing electronic voucher programme through the implementation of a shop strategy and the development of a web-based safety net management system accessible by partners. Besides, joint cash programming opportunities and implementation of unrestricted cash are being explored in addition to the diversification of the programme portfolio, building on the existing electronic-card platform. Strengthening the programme partnerships with the government, local entities and national institutions has also become part of the programme strategy.

To learn more about WFP's operations in Lebanon, visit: http://www1.wfp.org/countries/lebanon

JOB PURPOSE

We are seeking to fill the position of Programme Policy Officer for Cash-Based Transfers, P3 Level to be based in Beirut, Lebanon.

The person selected will serve as action manager for cash-based transfers (CBT), design and manage programmes of moderate size or complexity that effectively meet food assistance needs, or contribute to policy formulation and/or provide technical advice or oversight on programme strategy and implementation.

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

• Contribute to formulation of country office (CO) CBT programme strategy in line with both organisational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field
• Catalyse learning and promote the active dissemination of lessons learned in CBP programming, strengthening the role of innovation in the CO operations as well as at corporate and regional levels
• Support the design and field implementation of unrestricted cash transfers in combination with CBT and the mainstreaming of lessons learnt, especially on unrestricted cash in the transfer modality toolkit to ensure quality, efficient and effective food assistance programmes
• Provide technical advice or mobilise technical expertise on programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies to support government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition through the National Poverty Targeting Programme (NPTP)
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status and advocacy work in delivering assistance through e-card systems, including through establishing and forging strategic and operational partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve electronic delivery of assistance through CBT modalities
• Promote inter agency collaboration with UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs on CBT programming and implementation, providing technical or other forms of guidance relevant to WFP projects, including facilitating information exchange to support complementary strategies; identifying potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives in the field
• Provide advice and support to COs on moderately complex issues to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, Executive Board decisions, and other relevant guidance.
• Assist counterparts in governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully employed and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of moderately complex food assistance programmes to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes at national and sub-national levels.
• Manage operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance.
• Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
• Contribute to resources mobilisations efforts for WFP projects, including clearly articulating the need for food assistance and related programme opportunities, and follow up on the resource situation of projects including commodity and cash availability, seeking advice from senior colleagues where necessary.
• Advice and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partner to design and deliver effective food assistance programmes.
• Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff to enable high performance
• Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set objectives within a moderate budget.
• Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs.
• Other duties as required

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated field-based operational experience on cash based transfers (CBT) is required.
• Advanced experience and knowledge of CBT systems including: payment systems, relationships with financial providers, risk mitigation measures is required.
• Has led a Sub Office or a small country/area office programme team or a component of a country office programme portfolio.
• Has engaged in CBT policy discussions and provided input into policy decisions.

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 additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language:

• Working knowledge (proficiency/Level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (Level B) of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) are required.
• Working knowledge of either French or Arabic in addition to English is highly desirable.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult locations.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit http://icsc.un.org .

To apply follow the link:
https://career5.successfactors.eu/career?career_ns=job_listing&company=C0000168410P&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&rcm_site_locale=en_GB&career_job_req_id=70889