Programme Policy Officer (Cash Based Transfers) - Baghdad, Iraq - Consultancy Contract

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  In Iraq, WFP assists conflict-affected families in every corner of the country. By providing food, cash and vouchers to displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees, WFP is helping to save lives and livelihoods.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Social Sciences, Management or other fields relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience.

Professional Experience: 

• At least five (5) years of relevant postgraduate experience in cash-based transfers programming across the programme life cycle, including payment systems, relationships with financial providers, risk identification and mitigation measures.
• Demonstrable experience of working in complex emergency settings and in complex institutional environments.
• Solid understanding of CBT global policy debates, and innovative developments in cash programming – including new technologies, and emerging private sector partnership building.
• Strong knowledge of CBT operations, and the internal relationships between Programme and Support units.
• Experience in data management and analysis.
• Experience in designing and implementing multi-sectoral cash transfer programmes.
• Experience in managing teams.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English. Knowledge of Arabic language is a strong advantage. 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Programme Officer (CBT) will work under the close support and guidance of a more senior Programme Officer.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Support the design and field implementation of unrestricted cash transfers in combination with CBT and the mainstreaming of lessons learnt to ensure quality, efficient and effective food assistance programmes
4. Provide technical advice or mobilise CBT 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 CO colleagues deliver assistance through CBTs.
5. Promote interagency 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff to enable high performance.
10. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for the achievement of set objectives within a moderate budget.
11. Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
•  Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
•  Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Previous experience working in Cash-Based Transfers with the World Food Programme.
• Previous experience working in Iraq or the Middle East region.
• Previous experience implementing Cash-Based Transfers through Mobile Money Transfers.
• Strong experience in data management and analysis.

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.