Country Capacity Strengthening Strategic and Policy Adviser Pillar Lead

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

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

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

 Context and background

WFP is actively engaged in country capacity strengthening (CCS), in humanitarian and development contexts. Recent lessons learned provide the organisation with an opportunity to strengthen its conceptual and operational approach to CCS to better contribute to national SDG efforts. In-depth corporate Evaluation  and Audit exercises have identified some systemic weaknesses that have affected WFP’s ability to deliver and demonstrate sustainable capacity strengthening results to date. Both the evaluation and audit put forth very clear and explicit functional and technical recommendations, including the preparation of an updated policy that ensures strong integration of CCS approaches into second-generation country strategic plans (CSPs).

Purpose and scope of these Terms of Reference

Technical oversight and direction of WFP’s work in CCS in support of the development and subsequent implementation of WFP’s Policy Update on CCS. The position is a technical specialist role and the nature of the work is strategic and advisory in nature. Supervision of a technical team of experts is also required.

The HQ CCS team is engaged in a number of processes including: (i) formulating the capacity strengthening policy update; (ii)  monitoring the implementation of the evaluation and audit recommendations related to CCS; (iii) planning for the operationalization of the CCS policy update; and (iv) developing strategic partnerships with key CCS stakeholders. The incumbent will lead and coordinate these workflows and be overall responsible for the strategic direction and policy setting activities that comprise the Strategic Pillar of the HQ CCS portfolio.

The purpose of the assignment is to provide oversight and direction in support of the global implementation and operationalization of WFP’s CCS policy.  Supervision of a technical team of experts is also required.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Lead the CCS work on the Strategy pillar. Act as a role model of the values, principles, and standards of WFP, actively contributing to creating an enabling, inclusive work environment through respectful and constructive communication and holding self and other team members accountable for their actions.
2. Oversee the development and implementation of workplans and deliverables within the pillar; and provide guidance and day-to-day management, ensuring quality control of outputs, as required
3. Monitor key global trends in capacity strengthening and guide WFP on its strategic positioning and messaging. 
4. Establish and guide strategic partnerships with key partners such as Academia, World Bank Group, bilateral donors, UN agencies and strategic networks and enhance WFP’s leadership status in relevant global forums.
5. Ensure that the updated CCS policy includes a clear conceptual framework, terminology and rationale for its approach; building on the CCS situation analysis' strategic inputs into the direction and content of the policy update.
6. Advise on changes to WFP guidelines/toolkits that may be required to effectively operationalize the CCS Policy update, propose and establish new guidelines within the position’s area of accountability and expertise.
7. Contribute to aligning M&E and reporting guidance on CCS across sectors/thematic areas, to drive corporate commitment to collect CCS data/results and enhance the evidence base.
8. Contribute to the Learning and Knowledge Management agenda on CCS, and contribute to the CCS University trainings and curriculum. Contribute to the set up and execution of a course on CCS (i.e. act as one of the lecturers at CCS University and use professional network to harness other partners who can participate).
9. Monitor the implementation of the evaluation and audit recommendations related to CCS scheduled in 2022.
10. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participationof women and men. 
11. Any other related tasks. 

 DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

 The updated capacity strengthening policy including a a clear conceptual framework, terminology and rationale, is presented to the EB and approved;

• A plan for the operationalisation and roll-out of the CCS policy update and accompanying training;
• An updated action plan with the implementation status of CCS-related evaluation and audit recommendations;
• CCS strategic partnerships identified and developped (i.e. Lund University, Harvard, other UN Agencies).

 QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package that will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

 Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

 Deadline for applications: 6 February 2022

Ref.: VA No. 155941

 Qualified 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