Programme Policy Officer

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, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer for Global Food Security Cluster Office

Type of Contract: Consultancy

Division: Global Food Security Cluster

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy - with frequent travel (up to 50% field deployment)

Duration: 6 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Food Security Cluster (FSC) is committed to saving lives through the coordination of the food security response in major emergencies. Effective coordination is only possible through close cooperation with partner organizations. The FSC provides the guidance at the country level that supports a broad base and timely response. The FSC works with national cluster systems in both sudden onset disasters, whether they result from natural or human causes, and protracted crises. It is co-chaired by the WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and include 70 Global partners active in 33 countries around the world. This vacancy announcement covers a position within the global Food Security Cluster team. The global Food Security Cluster team supports country offices through the provision of support, The global Food Security Cluster team is located in Rome and provides strategic, technical and operational support to field-based Food Security Clusters and sectors.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Provide advice and support to country cluster coordinators to perform effective coordination in relation to needs assessments and analysis, response plans preparation, harmonization of programmatic approaches, information management, preparation of appeals, advocacy and resource mobilization, etc;
2. Act as a geographical focal point for a number of countries; 
3. Promote the use of technical standards at country level; provide technical advice or mobilise technical expertise on a wide range of food security cluster related issues.
4. Carry out short-term technical support missions, oversight missions and surge missions to respond to emergency needs for food security coordination as per ToR established for each mission;
5. Contribute to the implementation of the results of the gFSC strategic Plan 2020-2022; and provide support and technical expertise for the planning and formulation of the next gFSC Strategic Plan
6. Establish and strengthen operational and strategic partnerships by contributing to the various gFSC technical multi-stakeholder working groups.
7. Update the Cluster Coordinator handbook and other guidance documents as needed;
8. Advice and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of all FSC staff to effectively coordinate food security responses in emergencies.
9. Contribute to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts both at country level and at global level;
10. Promote awareness and understanding among partners of cross-cutting and people-centric issues;
11. Lead, motivate and develop any staff under your supervision
12. Represent the gFSC in relevant inter-agency and inter-sectoral fora, as requested
13. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and other important crosscutting themes in all areas of your work
14. Perform any other tasks as requested.

DELIVERABLES:

•Support the capacity building of FSC CCs through collective and one-on-one trainings, development of training and e-learning materials.

•Update the gFSC Cluster Coordinator Handbook (and/or other guidance material) as needed.

•Field missions reports and action plans to support country teams

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in food security, agriculture, economics, humanitarian affairs or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 8 years of professional experience in humanitarian field settings at a mid or senior level.  Experience in food security related topics. Experience in coordination of multiple stakeholders. Experience with inter-agency coordination or as FSC CC is desirable.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to work and plan at strategic, policy and operational levels.
• Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including humanitarian principles, coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms (e.g. Humanitarian Programme Cycle - HPC, Central Emergency Response Fund and Flash Appeals, Pooled funds).
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context.
• Ability to express and summarise ideas orally and in writing in a diplomatic and inclusive manner. 
• Ability to convene and organise workshops, meetings and to present outcomes on behalf of a group of stakeholders
• Familiarity with food security concepts and frameworks, assessment and monitoring and evaluation tools and methodologies.

Languages:

Fluency (Level C) in English. Intermediate knowledge of at least one other UN language, preferably French.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which 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: 30 August 2022

Ref.: VA No. 171495

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.