Senior Programme Policy Officer (Coordinator, Joint Implementation Project Team) P5, Botswana

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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.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. 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.

In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year. The World Food Programme office in Johannesburg is a Regional Office coordinating and supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance and providing technical support to 12 Southern Africa countries including, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Kinshasa Declaration on Rural Transformation provides clear guidance and mandate to AUDA-NEPAD and WFP to support African Union member states in their efforts to achieve sustainable rural development through the implementation of the Africa Rural Futures Programme to tackle socio-economic challenges of rural communities post-COVID19. 
This position will  be based in Botswana and hosted by the SADC.

JOB PURPOSE

The position aims to coordinate the WFP and AUDA-NEPAD Joint Implementation Project Team (JIPT) Secretariat in the implementation of the Kinshasa Declaration on Rural Transformation, the Rural Futures Programme and to advance the developmental imperatives in the SADC region. Additionally, the Coordinator of the JIPT Secretariat will serve to promote and facilitate South-South Cooperation within Southern Africa through engagement and SADC facilitation.

The position will be selected upon consultation with the AUDA-NEPAD and appointed by the host agency, WFP. Will have an employment contract with WFP and thus remunerated by WFP with joint supervision of AUDA-NEPAD and WFP. 

The Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the WFP Regional Director for Southern Africa and Director, Programme Innovation and Planning of AUDA-NEPAD 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Strategy and Analysis

• Create and foster partnerships with the SADC Secretariat, member states at all levels and development actors to strategically position WFP and AUDA-NEPAD Joint Implementation Project Team (JIPT) Secretariat.
• Demonstrate JIPT’s value proposition and engage with government authorities, based on an analysis and existing frameworks, relationships at country level, and consultations amongst relevant institutions and authorities.
• Lead in analyzing SADC regional development plan, national development plans, budgeting, and spending priorities to determine how JIPT could support the Governments with furthering its priorities and closing the funding gaps.
• Advocate and align WFP and AUDA-NEPAD’s Corporate Strategy with Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Strategic Plans by identify priorities and gaps.
• Oversee the management of the joint team implementing the Kinshasa Declaration and Rural Futures program at SADC level
• Proactively scan viable opportunities and new approaches for JIPT’s strategic engagement with the SADC Secretariat, member states, Development Partners and IFIs, particularly in the areas of rural transformation, sustainable infrastructure, and human capital development.

Climate Response

• Lead, represent and promote JIPT externally at SADC strategic climate change related events, and climate initiatives.
• Monitor new developments at regional (SADC) and member state level commitments and actions to address climate change.
• Build and maintain close relations with development partners and other relevant stakeholders, such as academia, think tanks, SADC Secretariat and ensure they are informed about WFP and AUDA-NEPAD’s climate change policy and climate action (including anticipatory action; climate security; climate change adaptation; climate services; climate finance, etc.), including collaborating with SADC and other stakeholders to organizing events around food security and climate change.

Knowledge Management and Coordinate South-South Cooperation

• Build and maintain a positive work environment with SADC Secretariat, Development Partners and other Stakeholders that facilitates South-South collaboration, lessons, and information sharing.
• Provide and facilitate thought leadership and high-level advice on South-South Cooperation in line with the WFP and AUDA-NEPAD mandate through engaging various stakeholders.
• Produce innovative ideas and evidence-based analysis and advice on South-South Cooperation in partnership with various stakeholders, including academia, ambassadors, and development partners.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and support implementation of JIPT’s strategic partnerships with SADC Secretariat, member states, and key development partners and stakeholders.
• Participate in international, regional, or national meetings and provide programmatic/substantive expertise.
• Identify and build productive relationships with partners at a national level, and at regional to raise resources for the JIPT and enable the effective positioning of the JIPT.
• Inform and support engagement with new and potential partners on the strategy, design, relevance, and impact of programs that can be supported by the JIPT to advance national development priorities.
• Liaise with government agencies in support of projects and operational activities that strengthen government capacities.
• Identify and engage relevant private sector to advance the JIPT’s agenda.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Demonstrable experience with government, public sector economic planning and budgetary processes.
• Demonstrable experience with international development issues and significant experience in developing relationships and managing strategic partnerships with governments and development partners.
• Proven record of accomplishment in new partnership building, brokering relationships with partners, and engagement at a senior level.
• Experience in project design processes and coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including governments and IFIs is desired. 
   

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced University degree in Political Science, Public Administration, International Development, Development Studies, Development Economics or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

Twelve years or more of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field of work, particularly senior level experience in engaging with governments as well as a background and interest in international humanitarian development.
Language:

Fluency (level C) in both spoken and written English language.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

This Vacancy Announcement will close on Thursday, 06 October 2022 at 11:59pm Johannesburg time. 

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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.

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.