Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection and Cash Based Transfers Consultant

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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.

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Social protection is an increasingly popular strategy for governments to reduce extreme poverty, hunger, and inequalities and promote the access to essential needs for the most vulnerable. Virtually every country in the world has at least one social protection scheme in place, and 3.5 billion people are already covered by some type of social protection benefits.  

As a global leader in fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide, often in very difficult contexts, the World Food Programme (WFP) is increasingly called upon by governments to support national social protection systems. In 2020, WFP partnered with governments in 78 countries to strengthen their national social protection systems, making support in social protection an integral part of its activities in most of the countries where it operates. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable were put at risk across the globe, undermining decades of progress towards the SDGs. In response to this, many governments are currently adapting and/or putting in place new social protection schemes.

By providing advice and being a complementary actor in regions, WFP is supporting national efforts, as it works with governments and communities to extend the coverage, comprehensiveness, adequacy, and quality of national social protection systems, with the aim to ensure that all people have access, throughout their lives, to strong national social protection systems. These social protection systems should help individuals meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs, and to reduce and address the risks and shocks they face.

COUNTRY CONTEXT AND RESPONSE

WFP has worked in Cambodia since 1979. WFP Cambodia’s current Country Strategic Plan (2019-2023) aims to complement and contribute to the Royal Government of Cambodia’s (RGC) efforts to achieve zero hunger through supporting social protection, climate and disaster risk management and food security and nutrition.

In Cambodia there has been a growing demand for WFP to support the national social protection system. As a result, there is an increasing need for internal coordination across functional areas (e.g., nutrition, school feeding, RAM, CBT, supply chain, TECH, etc.) where WFP has a comparative advantage, to ensure the organization delivers well-planned, integrated social protection conceptual and operational support to the Government. Furthermore, external coordination and active engagement with the United Nations system, development partners, non-governmental organizations and the private sector is critical to ensure a harmonized approach and alignment.

Recent shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences and recurrent climate-related hazards, have highlighted the importance of social protection in Cambodia and the needs to further strengthen the system, programmes and tools in the face of current and future risks.

JOB PURPOSE

To deliver against the above, the Country Office is seeking a Social Protection and Cash Based Transfer Programme Policy Officer to design, manage and lead its engagement in social protection related activities. The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme and will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Policies and Program Management

• Develop and/or implement projects, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider internal programmes within the CSP, that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
• Analyse new assistance requests from government partners and design & implement the necessary support through the operationalization of projects.
• Identify strategic and technical entry points for WFP to support the formulation and implementation of suitable policy & programme solutions.
• Contribute to the formulation of the Country Strategic Plan, in line with the identification of country needs and WFP’s corporate and regional policies and strategies as well as Executive Board decisions and other relevant guidance.
• Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources within the allocated budget.
• Supervise the development and review of strategic results frameworks, results matrices, strategic results frameworks, and work planning, at the country level.
• Inform the development of in-country policies, strategies, programmes, and activities.
• Identify and provide advice to the management on how on-going WFP activities can be adjusted to ensure better alignment with national policies and priorities.
• Supervise programme related awareness raising, capacity strengthening and knowledge management initiatives.

Social Protection

• Act as the country office social protection focal point, ensuring a clear and strong connection between the field operations, Regional Bureau, and HQ.
• Have a complete overview of past and ongoing social protection initiatives in the country and keep abreast of relevant public policies, strategies, programmes and activities related developments in the country to identify strategic entry points for WFP in-country positioning on social protection.
• Translate WFP corporate and regional policies and strategies pertinent to social protection into country-level practices.
• Assist government counterparts to identify and analyse national social protection policy and operational problems and provide - or mobilize - support and technical expertise for the design and delivery of suitable social protection related solutions.
• Supervise the provision of support to governments towards the development, implementation and/or follow-up of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with the SP corporate strategy, policies, and guidance relevant to social protection.
• Develop an integrated Social Protection Country Capacity Strengthening strategy and support the roll-out of its implementation.
• Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness by systematically assessing whether and how national social protection can contribute to an emergency response.
• Design and manage social protection related programmes that effectively meet food security, nutrition needs and/or respond to major shocks (e.g., shock response social protection).
• Preparation any necessary reports relevant to the social protection portfolio (e.g., shock-responsive social protection country capacity assessment, resource utilization, programme status, performance) that will support WFP’s CO management for decision-making.

Cash Based Transfers

• Contribute to formulation and implementation of corporate CBT-SP strategies, business models and solutions to meet operational requirements.
• Foster productive partnerships both internally with counterparts in key CBT functions and externally with counterparts amongst government and other national organizations, UN agencies, NGOs and private sector to share operational knowledge and resources and build capacity resulting in coordinated and cost-effective CBT-SP operations.
• Contribute to the analysis for transfer modality and delivery mechanism selection including needs, market and sectorial assessments, definition of transfer value and MEB in close collaboration with relevant functional units and/or government relevant departments. 
• Plan and oversee the CBT beneficiary selection and registration in coordination with IT unit and/or relevant governments counterparts.
• Technically support CBT-SP operations to ensure compliance with the established CBT strategies, policies, procedures and controls, and assist in the implementation of corporate standards, with special emphasis on programme quality, impact, and assurance.
• Support the set up and oversee the implementation of Complaints Feedback Mechanisms (CFM).
• Represent WFP in external humanitarian Cash Working Group and other relevant CBT-SP fora to ensure closer coordination with other stakeholders.
• Plan and run related capacity building initiatives by providing both technical support on content and facilitation.

Partnerships, Advocacy, Resource Mobilization

• Establish and maintain strategic and operational partnerships for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve the national social protection system.
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums pertinent to social protection.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for WFP social protection activities, including by articulating business cases on WFP’s contributions to social protection and exploring new potential resource channels. 
• Liaise with other units of the Programme Division and other Divisions to ensure a coherent knowledge management and country capacity strengthening approaches in WFP.

Knowledge management and Capacity Strengthening

• Supervise the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of knowledge products or proposals for internal or external use that position and strengthen the credibility of WFP as a partner in social protection. 
• Manage operational research, analysis and evidence building on issues relevant to social protection in-country to inform the development of in-country social protection policies, strategies, programmes, and activities.
• Supervise the development and functioning of data gathering, monitoring and evaluations, their recompilation, and the relevant analysis, ensuring that quality standards are maintained for social protection related programmes and projects.
• Support the awareness raising and knowledge dissemination of the WFP’s social protection corporate/regional/country policies and strategies among all Country Office colleagues and national stakeholders (including government officials, UN sister agencies, donors, and other partners).

• Advise and support the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage in social protection-relevant policy dialogues, programme design and delivery.
• Capture and share knowledge, best practices, and experiences in relation to social protection initiatives.
• Conceive, design and implement social protection local capacity strengthening initiatives benefiting WFP staff, partners and national government.
• Support the development and implementation of the corporate learning agenda on social protection, to inform WFP thinking, policy development and programme guidance.
• Contribute to the generation, documentation, and dissemination of knowledge relevant to supporting national hunger solutions through social protection related initiatives.
• Others as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education: Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, Social Sciences, International Relations or other fields relevant to social protection.

Experience: 5 or more years of professional experience related to national development programmes, policies, strategies or plans and institutional structures, preferably in relation to social protection and/or revolving around food security and/or nutrition and/or emergency responses.

• Has experience working across the policy and programme cycle management.
• Has experience working across various programme types relevant to social protection (e.g., cash-transfer programmes, school feeding, public works / food assistance for assets, insurance programmes, emergency responses).
• Has taken leadership in implementing humanitarian or developmental projects.
• Has contributed to policy discussions and technical issues pertinent to the social protection.
• Has experience leading a team.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Understanding of Agenda SDG 2030 and respective targets – particularly SDG1, SDG2 and SDG17 - and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them.
• Knowledge of WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.
• Knowledge of the World Food Programme Strategy for Support to Social Protection – 2021.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection and public policy.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in country capacity strengthening and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts, and principles.
• Solid understanding of CBT programming related to food security and nutrition.
• Solid understanding of BPM and RACI and knowledge of other CBT functions’ role and responsibilities.

• Experience in managing CBT operations including coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in designing and setting up CBT programmes.
• Experience in conducting analytical and conceptual work in support of CBT strategy design and implementation
• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues.
• Problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Aptitude for supervising, guiding and empowering staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, conveying an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative information to understand current and future social protection needs and identify solutions.
• Learning and teaching agility, and appetite for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner.
• Ability to work as part of a team, participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others, regardless of gender, culture, background, experience, or country assignment.
• Moderate to proficient computer literacy.

HOW TO APPLY

• Create an account on the WFP Career Website: http://www1.wfp.org/careers/job-openings
• Under Filter By “Country”, type “Cambodia” and select the position you want to apply to.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The vacancy will be closed on Sunday, 12th June 2022 at 17:00 GMT+7

• WFP recognizes the positive potential of flexible working arrangements to enable staff members the opportunity to select and alter their work schedules to better fit personal needs and help balance work, personal, and family responsibilities whenever operationally possible.
• WFP is committed to gender equality and parity (50% women and 50% men) and to diversity more generally, among employees across all grades, functions and contract modalities.
• WFP offers an attractive salary and other benefits, including health insurance.
• WFP Work Environment: WFP is committed to ensuring that all its workplaces are free from abuse, offensive behaviour, harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. WFP does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS and disability status. WFP is also committed to promoting a work culture in which every employee understands, and is able to carry out, his/her personal responsibilities for maintaining the dignity of work colleagues. WFP seeks to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. We believe our mission of fighting global hunger worldwide can only be achieved if women, men, girls and boys are offered equal opportunities in terms of access to resources and services, and participation in decision making roles.

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Female applicants, individuals with disabilities, and those from developing countries, are encouraged to apply.

WFP is committed to an inclusive working environment which values diversity

and has zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment and abuse of any kind