Programme Policy Officer (Partnerships) HND / BA / BSc Job

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Employment Type: Short Term-SC

Organizational Context

In recent years, Northeast Nigeria has been grappling with a complex and devastating humanitarian crisis. The BAY (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) region has become a hotbed of violence, displacement, and despair.

This humanitarian context is characterized by a multitude of interconnected factors that have led to widespread suffering and a desperate need for assistance.

The extremist group Boko Haram emerged in 2009 and has unleashed a wave of violence, targeting civilians, schools, and infrastructure. Their attacks have led to the displacement of millions of people, forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in camps or host communities.

Furthermore, the conflict has severely disrupted the livelihoods of the population, exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition. As farmers have been unable to tend to their fields and markets have been destroyed, the availability of food has dramatically decreased.

This, coupled with climatic variabilities, has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with about 4.3 million people currently facing acute food insecurity (IPC 3 and above as per CH of March 2023).

The affected populations face multiple challenges including lack of basic services such as health care, education, adequate shelter, etc.

Addressing this humanitarian crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond immediate emergency response. It is crucial to address the root causes of the conflict, promote peacebuilding initiatives, and ensure the protection of civilians.

Additionally, efforts must be made to towards durable solutions. The and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People:

Look for ways to strengthen people's skills : Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.

Create an inclusive culture : Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.

Be a coach & provide constructive feedback : Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.

Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit : Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)

Performance:

Encourage innovation & creative solutions : Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.

Focus on getting results : Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.

Make commitments and make good on commitments : Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.

Be Decisive : Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership:

Connect and share across WFP units : Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning

Build strong external partnerships : Networks regularly with key external food assistance tools.

Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher)

Demonstrates the ability to design, implement, monitor and provide oversight over effective and efficient programmes deploying different transfer modalities.

Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.)

Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring.

Emergency Programming

Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches

Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government

Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes..Standard Minimum Qualifications

Education: Advanced University Degree in Political Science, International Development, International Relations, Communications, Sociology, Social Research Methods or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

8 or more years of relevant professional experience related to national development programmes, policies, strategies or plans and institutional structures, preferably in relation to food security and/or nutrition and revolving around national capacity strengthening and/or programme and knowledge management;

Deepened experience in technical coordination and operational support to state governments;

Has a good understanding of government and corporate strategies and priorities and gained experience in developing multi-stakeholder partnerships;

Has gained significance experience in exploring new opportunities and providing inputs to design and develop solutions with prospective partners;

Has developed long-term partner relationships and expanded engagements across geographies and sector;

Strong analytic, communication and interpersonal skills, including training and facilitation skills and demonstrated experience in conceptual analysis, planning and organizational skills.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of Kanuri and/or Hausa languages.

Desired Experiences for Entry into the Role

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

Solid understanding of Agenda 2030 and of SDG2 and SDG17 and respective targets and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them;

Knowledge of current thinking and development in country capacity development and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles relevant to humanitarian/emergency contexts;

Solid knowledge of WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable;

Solid knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues is essential;

Demonstrated data collection and analytical writing skills, including ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information to understand national capacities across a wide range of policy and programme areas and identify gap and needs, as well as WFP’s entry points;

Good operational, analytical and problem-solving skills;

Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present English and/or in the language of the region;

Moderate to proficient computer literacy

Soft Skills:

Excellent ability to develop and maintain networks with a variety of stakeholders

Strong facilitation skills for strategic/analytical workshops and group discussions

Strong analytical, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to convey an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Application Closing Date

19th November, 2023.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should:

Click here to apply online

Note

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.

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.