Programme Policy Officer (Cash-based Transfers) | NOA | Manila, PHL (Filipino nationals only)

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

VA DETAILS

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  We are 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. 

The World Food Programme’s engagement in the Philippines is constantly evolving. Initially commencing operations in the 1960s, WFP officially re-established its presence in 2006 to support the peace process in Mindanao, to provide life-saving food assistance in emergencies and to develop programmes that seek to improve nutrition and the overall quality of life of vulnerable people.  

Since 1 July 2018, WFP has been implementing a five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2018-2023) to support the Government of the Philippines to address food insecurity, reduce malnutrition and build the resilience of vulnerable populations.  In its strategic plan, WFP identified four outcomes and five main activities:

•    Strategic outcome 1: Crisis-affected people in the Philippines are able to meet their food and nutrition needs during and immediately after an emergency.
•    Strategic outcome 2: Women, boys and girls in provinces prioritized by the Government have adequate and healthy diets to reduce malnutrition by 2022 in line with government targets.
•    Strategic outcome 3: Vulnerable communities in Mindanao have improved food security and nutrition by 2022 in line with government targets.
•    Strategic outcome 4: National and local government agencies have enhanced capabilities to reduce vulnerability to shocks by 2022.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Programme Policy Officer (Cash-Based Transfers - CBT) position has been introduced in WFP Philippines organigramme following the 2022 Organizational Alignment. The incumbent will be in charge of managing the Cash-Based Transfer section within the Programme Unit. The CBT officer will report to the Head of Programme and work under the overall guidance of the Country Director.    

WFP Philippines continues investing in building its technical and operational capacity for planning, implementation, and oversight of Cash-Based Transfer activities with regards to WFP direct delivery and government capacity strengthening for Shock Responsive Social Protection programs.

In 2021, Philippines CO scaled-up delivery of cash-based transfers with Mobile Transfer Control Numbers (MTCN) implemented with Western Union and food voucher programmes. Under its five year Country Strategic Plan, WFP CO provides cash-based transfers through relief assistance; conditional cash transfers under early recovery and resilience programmes, as well as registered 25,000 households in the framework of the preparatory works for the Anticipatory Action (AA) pilot project in Region 5. To diversify cash transfer delivery systems, WFP is in the process of identifying alternative cash delivery options through Financial Service Providers. WFP is also co-chair of the interagency cash working group.   

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive or exhaustive)

Within the assigned unit and delegated authority, the Programme Policy Officer (CBT)  will be responsible for the following duties:   

• Management and supervision of the Delivery Team of Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) Unit, responsible for the CBT programme cycle (planning, implementation, and monitoring) with regards to CBT direct delivery and government capacity strenthening;
• Ensure the efficient, effective and timely delivery of WFP’s CBT assistance under emergency response, anticipatory actions and resilience programming and oversee reconciliation of beneficiary numbers reached against payment lists;
• Lead the process of the selection of the most appropriate transfer modality (e.g. in-kind, cash or voucher), theidentification and contracting of Financial Service Providers (s) to diversify cash transfer mechanisms and the definition of the transfer value in close cooperation with RAM;
• Design, implement and manage the implementation of innovative CBT operations, initiatives and services to ensure a timely, cost-effective and integrated approach with core activities and in close cooperation with key CBT stakeholders. Consider innovative opportunities generated by cash assistance, such as integration of market interventions, (digital) financial inclusion and links to existing and effective national delivery systems owned by local private sector or governments;
• Assist in the development and implementation of risk mitigation measures as per the approved Risk Matrix, as required;
• Ensure that CO CBT strategy, policies and programmes are in compliance with the WFP global CBT strategy, policies, criteria, procedures and Operational Guidance Manuals;
• Lead and contribute to project documents (e.g. SoPs) and project revisions through the entire approval process from inception to approval;
• Contribute CBT-specific learning in after action reviews and lead/coordinate with other units on integration of lessons learned;
• Lead on the implementation of the CBT Minimum Emergency Preparedness measures to ensure timely and quality CBT responses before, during and after a crisis;
• Coordinate with other CBT functions and lead on Programme-specific implementation of CBT assurance requirements based on the WFP CBT Assurance Directive;
• Co-chair and participate in the external CWG together with other partners and stakeholders;
• Coordinate the internal CWG and ensure that the core functional areas of WFP (Programme, Supply Chain, Finance, ICT/SCOPE, Security) are incorporated into the planning, contracting, registration, distribution and reporting of the interventions in line with wider CBT policies and guidance;
• Contribute in capacity strengthening efforts of the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development with shock responsive social protection delivery systems and emergency cash transfers;
• Capacity building of WFP’s staff and selected Cooperating Partners on CBT where required;
• Represent WFP in relevant meetings, including: interagency forums, bilateral meetings with Service Providers and Cooperating Partners;
• Assist in cost analysis, assessments, transfer value reviews etc. as required;
• Facilitate and participate in donor missions and assist in the preparation of donor briefs, proposals and reports, as requested;
• Provide inputs to periodic evaluations of cooperating partners;
• Perform other responsibilities as required.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Ability to independently achieve expected outcomes in a timely and proactive manner;
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to communicate both verbally and in writing;
• Proven ability to work supervise and provide capacity building to direct supervisees;
• Ability to cope with situations that may require a high level of stress and flexibility in accepting work assignments on short notice.

REMUNERATION PACKAGE

• Approximate monthly salary is a minimum of PHP 99,000++ and a maximum is PHP 132,000++
• Medical coverage that can be extended to eligible dependents

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is on Sunday, 29 May 2022, Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila time). Qualified candidates are required to complete an online candidate profile on UN WFP Careers Website (https://www.wfp.org/careers). Only applications received on this website are considered valid and will be processed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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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.