Programme Policy Advisor – International Consultant (Urban Lead) (P4)

Area of expertise : Programme & policy

Country : Zimbabwe

Type of contract : Short term opportunities

Closing date : 02 December 2019, 22:59 GMT

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 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 World Food Programme’s (WFP) 2017–2021 Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for Zimbabwe is a significant step forward on WFP’s vision for zero hunger as it addresses food security and nutrition challenges. The CSP has priority actions based on: lessons learned, discussions with the Government, donors and partner consultations, the findings of the Zero Hunger Strategic Review and an assessment of funding opportunities.

The objectives of WFP’s urban interventions are to collaborate with governments and partners at all levels to maximize the food security and nutrition impact of existing safety net programmes and to offer technical, advisory services related to the design, operationalization and evaluation of the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of food security and nutrition-sensitive safety nets and other food security, nutrition and resilience-building interventions. After piloting an urban, cash-transfer intervention in one of the poorest areas of Harare, WFP is expanding the pilot to an additional seven (7), urban domains nation wide. This expansion will allow for ongoing analysis, research and active-learning towards the development of tools and methodologies for responding to food insecurity in urban settings.

JOB PURPOSE

WFP Zimbabwe seeks a qualified candidate for its Country Office in Harare to lead the development and implementation of the urban programme through expert guidance and oversight on policy formulation, strategy development and strategic partner engagement.

Under the overall coordination  of the Senior Operations Manager, the Senior Programme Advisor will lead the urban assistance team and provide analytical support across a range of processes and activities related to support the Government’s Social Protection System for chronically vulnerable, urban populations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Provide project management support to WFP’s strategic engagement with the Government of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare (MPSLSW), as well as other relevant government Ministries, in the design, formulation and/or implementation of effective food security, nutrition and resilience-building programmes in urban areas.

2. Articulate programme policies and guidance on urban programming for the Zimbabwe CO by translating WFP corporate guidance into practices and implementation modalities and operations to ensure alignment with the Government of Zimbabwe’s priorities.

3. Represent WFP in different fora in Zimbabwe and throughout the southern Africa Region on subjects related to urban food security, nutrition and resilience, engagement in transition and development contexts and other related issues, through direct participation and/or through briefings, information products and other materials.

4. Support senior stakeholders of the Government of Zimbabwe and other partners in identifying different modalities for delivering social assistance for the implementation and/or expansion of urban assistance programmes that strengthen government and community ownership and promote effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes at national and sub-national levels.

5. In close coordination with the WFP VAM and M&E teams, provide periodic guidance on the design and implementation of multi-sectoral, urban assessments that inform urban resilience.

6. Oversee operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to urban safety nets, food security and nutrition, and resilience, including community-based approaches, to inform advocacy for WFP and to strengthen policy and programme formulation

7. Lead the urban programmes team and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to design and deliver effective urban assistance programmes.

8. Take the lead in the design and planning for the expansion phase of the urban programme, including the preparation of funding proposals to key donors.

9. Liaise, coordinate and oversee engagement and communication with and between key actors, including specifically between the NGO implementing partners (IPs) and the researchers to ensure timely transfer of information between WFP, IPs and the researchers, alignment of priorities and actions.

10. Support the development of countrywide protection guidelines in close coordination with the CO’s M&E team and with the support of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator and HQ protection and AAP colleagues subsequently ensuring protection and AAP considerations are taken into account through all stages of the expansion phases of urban programmes.

11. Work with UNDP and UNICEF, as well as other partners (including on knowledge management under the urban resilience programme), to develop a “community of practice” on urban food security, nutrition and resilience, including by establishing an Urban Working Group; and supporting the active-learning and research components of the urban Pilot

12. Provide timely analytical and critical updates to CO Management on progress, challenges and opportunities related to urban programming.

13. Any other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Livelihoods, Environmental Science or other field relevant to international development assistance supplemented with experience or additional education in education, social sciences, nutrition, agriculture or other related field

Experience : At least eight years of progressively responsible experience, of which at least three years relevant to urban programming. Experience with urban saving groups, slum-upgrading funds and community-driven resilience building desirable.

Knowledge & Skills: Proficient in the use of computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, and communication platforms (i.e. Microsoft Teams, Trello). Familiarity or training in the use of standard WFP software packages (i.e. Tableau, SPSS) and systems is desired.

Languages: Fluency in both oral and written English

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level

Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of 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 incorporate technical information into programme design and implementation and appropriately communicate it internally and externally.

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 Demonstrates the ability to engage key stakeholders (e.g., WFP units, external partners) in policy dialogue to strengthen national government food and nutrition security strategies and programmes.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Strong interpersonal skills; courtesy, tact and ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background. Ability to interpret and analyse a wide variety of programme issues, and to maintain accurate and precise records. Ability to communicate in a team with people from different nationalities, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, Ability to work systematically, use initiative, good judgement, and to communicate complex matters both orally and in writing.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has worked in a Country Office or equivalent level position within technical area.

• Has managed discussions with experts in VAM/Nutritionists.

• Has led a country / are office programme team or a substantial component of a complex programme.

• Has gained direct experience of different programme approaches.

• Has worked with government agencies and gained policy experience.

• Has led team in strategic discussions.

• Has worked in HQ or a Regional Bureau.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Qualified candidates are requested to submit their application via E- Recruitment  attaching a signed application letter and a signed Personal History Form (P11) available at http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc. Applicants are also requested to submit a current Curriculum Vitae.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the recruitment processes.

WFP DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for submitting applications is 2 December 2019.

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Female applicants who are qualified 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.