Programme Policy Officer (Livelihoods, Agribusiness, and Market Linkage)

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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and 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

The job holder will work under the supervision of Deputy Head of Programme and Strategic Outcome Manager, receiving guidance and regular feedback from Head of Programme and senior management as and when necessary. The incumbent will work closely with the different technical units (school feeding, nutrition and evidence generation and analysis units among others) in Country Office, two Field-Offices in Dhangadhi and Surkhet, and Field Coordinators in various locations involved in livelihoods, resilience, climate change adaptation, agribusiness, rural finance, and market linkage related interventions. 

JOB PURPOSE

To provide technical and operational support to agriculture, livelihood and market and value chain focused programmes and capacity strengthening in line with WFP Nepal Country Strategic Plan (CSP) strategic outcomes and Government policies and programmes. To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

Background:
WFP Nepal’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for 2019-2023 constitutes five Strategic Outcomes (SOs) that are aligned to five Strategic Results of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for Development). WFP Nepal is in the process of formulating another five-year CSP for the period 2024-2028. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Livelihoods, Agribusiness, and Market Linkage)

Contract Type: Service Contract (SC)

Grade: SC-8 (Equivalent to NOA)

Contract Duration: 12 months (renewable)

Duty Station: Kathmandu, Nepal 

Vacancy Number: 621731

Date of Publication: 14 March 2023

Deadline of Application: 27 March 2023

This vacancy announcement is ONLY for Nepalese Nationals.

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, social security, leave plus a medical insurance (Medical Insurance Death and Disability Plan (MIDD) | WFPgo).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The Programme Policy Officer (livelihoods, agribusiness, and market linkage) will be directly supervised by Deputy Head of Programme and Strategic Outcome Manager (SO 3). S/he will ensure that WFP’s ongoing and upcoming programmes and projects under the CSP are implemented effectively and efficiently contributing to resilient livelihoods, sustainable agribusiness, and market linkages of smallholder farmers. The key responsibilities include:

1.    Contribute to the implementation of  WFP Nepal’s Country Strategy Plan (CSP), corporate policies and programmes aligned with national policies (such as the Agricultural Development Strategy, Climate Change Policy etc)  and  wider UN strategic focus areas related to agriculture and livelihoods .
2.    Analyze technical and policy documents, strategies and programmes, and relevant data and information including for example, trends and developments, approaches, impacts, lessons, and good practices related to agribusiness, food systems and value chain development and translate them into WFP’s thematic focus areas . 
3.    Provide technical support in business development or developing/designing project concepts/proposals and contribute to resource mobilization for relevant CSP activities. 
4.    Support in developing and reviewing information materials, technical papers and guidelines related to WFP’s work on agricultural value chain, market system development, rural entrepreneurship development; digital solutions/technologies; public-private platforms and partnerships etc.
5.    Coordinate and support in establishing strategic and operational partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Federation of Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), and other like-minded public and private sector organizations and provide technical assistance as required. 
6.    Contribute to the appraisal of capacity building needs of partners and beneficiaries related to the agribusiness, value chain development and market linkage; and contribute to developing training materials and to training courses and activities and provide technical guidance for field staff, cooperating partners and communities in all aspects of business planning and implementation of agribusinesses.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

7.    Contribute to the design and implementation of programmes and projects related to agribusiness, value chain development, smallholder market linkage, and agricultural and rural development; as required by Country Office ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance, CSP and SDG targets and ensuring annual performance and work plans are consistent with WFP corporate policies and strategies, and provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of small to moderate size that are relatively straight forward in nature, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
8.    Facilitate market-driven linkages between relevant government agencies, agribusiness producers, consolidators, processors, exporters, and other market actors to ensure WFP’s effective partnerships and collaborations on agri-business and investment opportunities.
9.    Support the monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management of the projects specifically as it relates to agribusiness, value chain development and marketing. Support in result-based management of relevant CSP activities including accurate and timely results reporting and knowledge management
10.    Contribute to the organization of and/or participate in meetings, conferences, workshops, consultations, and field visits as needed; contribute to building collaborations and partnerships.
11.    Provide technical assistance to other units within WFP (nutrition, school feeding and others) in making sure WFP’s agriculture and livelihood programmes are nutrition sensitive and climate resilient.   
12.    Perform other related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor .

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master/Advanced University degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, agribusiness, or related field, or First University Degree with more than seven years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language: Excellent proficiency in both oral and written English and Nepali.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
•  Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
•  Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge & Skills:    

    Must be familiar with MS office;
    Nepali Typing skill is an asset;
    Driving skills with valid license is an advantage.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Experience:    

•    At least one year of relevant professional experience after advanced university degree is required. Above five years’ experience in agriculture value chain, market linkage, marketing, agribusiness, climate change adaptation in agriculture and food systems, and/or digital technologies for value chain development and relevant programme design/planning and implementation is desirable.     
•    Sound understanding of agriculture, agribusiness, climate smart village development and market related policies, programmes, and approaches in Nepal, understanding of approaches of climate change adaptation will be an added advantage.
•    Sound knowledge, skills and experience in business development/project/programme design and management.
•    Has experience in liaising with government partners, has good negotiation skills and ability to communicate effectively, has provided input into policy discussions and decisions. 
•    Ability to write clear and concise technical documents in short deadlines, with multi-tasking skills.
•    Ability for perform well in cross-disciplinary teams
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Has gained experience in implementing technical programs (i.e. nutrition, etc.).
• Has implemented programmes and provided input into designing operations.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

Leading through Others - Level 1

Leads by example with Integrity
Drives results and Delivers on commitments
Fosters inclusive and collaborative teamwork.
Applies strategic thinking
Builds and maintains sustainable partnerships

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings).
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We want to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible. Please contact us at nepal.hr@wfp.org to advise us of any accessibility needs you may have.

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.