Expression of Interest Call - Programme Policy Officer (EPR) for Latin America and the Caribbean

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

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.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is assisting 91.4 million people in around 83 countries each year, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, WFP supports national efforts to improve food and nutrition security and reduce the impact of emerging crises, natural disasters, and climate change among vulnerable populations. The Regional Bureau Panama (RBP) coordinates technical strategic support and guidance to Country Offices in the region, promotes strategic partnerships, and support resource mobilization efforts.

To contribute to Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project management, emergency information management, and coordination with other regional emergency actors. 

To learn more about the actions taken by WFP in response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: https://www.wfp.org/publications/covid-19-situation-reports   

Depending on your experience level and expertise areas, you will be involved to a greater or lesser degree in work related, but not limited, to the following:

1. Capacity building of WFP personnel, partners, and national governments to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
2. Drafting of operational plans, concepts of operations, and project documents related to emergency operations or emergency preparedness initiatives.
3. Preparation and coordination of EPR project proposals and grants.
4. Support to Country Offices' efforts to coordinate with and provide technical support to National Disaster Management Agencies, supporting potential partnerships and trainings/simulations.
5. Involvement in the emergency preparedness and response function in emergency response and preparedness related coordination meetings (e.g. inter-agency clusters/working groups).
6. Convening and organization of emergency response and preparedness related internal, cross functional coordination mechanisms (including for e.g., managing the secretariat of the Country level Emergency Task Force).
7. Information management before and during an emergency.
8. Monitoring, analysis, and reporting on emergency-related developments and their impact on the humanitarian situation, including through the provision of support to the CO RAM unit in tracking early warning indicators / risks and emerging risks in the relevant country, specifically of slow and sudden onset risks. 
9. In the event of a disaster, information exchange and operational liaison between the Country Office, Regional Bureau Panama, and Headquarters. 
10. Preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

Education:

Advance University degree in International Affairs, Human Rights, Social Sciences or other field relevant to International development assistance or first University degree with an additional relevant work experience and/or training/course. 

Years of relevant professional experience:

• Junior Consultancy: One to three years of relevant professional experience.
• Level I Consultancy: Three to five years of relevant professional experience.
• Level II Consultancy: Six to ten years of relevant professional experience.

Languages 

• Fluency (level C) in English language.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Spanish or French are highly desirable.

Professional experience, mastery, or knowledge is desired (but not required) in one or several of the following areas:

• Relevant working experience in humanitarian and/or development related work with an international organization.
• Windows MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Behavioural competencies such as Action Management, Client Orientation, Cognitive Capacity, Innovation, Partnering and Teamwork.

The World Food Programme (Panama Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean) is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified individuals for future consultancies in the region.

All applications received will be reviewed and go through a selection process to asses relevant experience and qualifications. Applicants who meet the selection criteria may be contacted for further interviews or assessments and to confirm their continued interest and availability.

Successful candidates will be placed in a roster for short-term opportunities. Rostered applicants may be contacted in the upcoming 12 months on an as-needed basis.

WFP offers a competitive compensation package determined on the basis of the Terms of Reference and the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. 

15 September 2020.

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 race, sex, colour, ethnic group, age, sexual orientation, other affiliation or 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.