WFP – World Food Programme

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

Junior Professional Officer Programme (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2024-2-60

General Information

Job Title: JPO Policy and Programme Officer- Food Systems

Unit: Food Systems Cell

Division: Strategic Coordination & AED Office (PODC)

Agency: World Food Programme

Country and Duty Station: Rome, Italy

Duration and Type of Assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

Please note that for participants of the JPO programme two years work experience are mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university degree (usually bachelor’s degree)

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

We are currently seeking a Junior Professional Officer to fill the position of Policy and Programme Officer, Value Chains and Resilient Food Systems, in the Food Systems Coordination Cell – Office of Strategic Coordination POD – based in Rome HQ.

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

WFP, the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, annually provides food assistance to over 90 million people across more than 70 countries. It stands at the forefront of addressing global hunger, leveraging its expertise and resources to offer immediate relief during crises. However, its relevance as an actor extends far beyond emergency response. By focusing on food systems, WFP aims to tackle the root causes of hunger, working towards sustainable solutions that go beyond short-term aid. Through strategic interventions and partnerships, WFP seeks to empower communities, strengthen local economies, and build resilience against future shocks. By embracing a holistic approach to food systems, WFP strives to create lasting impact and pave the way towards a world where no one is left behind.

In this context, the newly established Food Systems Coordination Cell, embedded in the Strategic Coordination & AED Office (PODC), is responsible for fostering internal strategic and programmatic coherence and coordination around WFP’s Food Systems work. Additionally, it coordinates WFP’s engagement in external processes and events related to Food Systems (e.g., Food Systems Summit, G7/G20, etc.). The Cell is tasked with developing corporate strategies on food systems, outlining WFP’s engagement in this area to provide clarity on concepts and WFP’s role in this field and to foster programmatic coherence and quality across the organisation This includes support for country-level FS strategies and CSPs, assistance in adequately reflecting FS thinking into WFP’s new Strategic Plan, and support to the field on a range of strategic and programmatic issues related to FS.

Additionally, the FS Cell support the efforts to position WFP as a key actor in the food systems ecosystem globally through a strong engagement in the Food Systems Summit and relevant forums (G7/G20, COP, N4G) and related processes, including the FS National Pathways and Regional Dialogues. This includes working closely with the Food System Hub to provide support in the different coordination mechanisms and platforms as well as with a relevant stakeholder to establish and strengthen collaborations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of the Food System Cell, the JPO will provide operational support to the team on the external and internal engagement in the food systems arena to ensure coordination and coherence as well as adequate representation in the various platform and forums. This includes, provide timely and adequate inputs to strategic papers, briefs, notes, support the field addressing request to support food systems programming and strategies as well as supporting the organisation and coordination of meetings and events. 

• Facilitate coordination efforts by actively engaging with various internal departments and teams within the organization to ensure alignment and coherence in food systems programming and policy initiatives.
• Act as a liaison for the Food Systems Programme and Policy with external platforms such as the Food Systems Summit and other coordination mechanisms.
• Provide assistance in the production of papers, briefs, and other relevant documents related to food systems engagement, meetings as well as programming. This includes preparing relevant documents and briefs, actively participating in discussions, and contributing to shaping global food systems agendas through proactive engagement.
• Collaborate and liaise with the Food Systems Hub to ensure effective coordination and representation of the organization’s interests as well as to support production of papers and documents.
• Conduct desk reviews and research to support the identification of internal case studies and knowledge products relevant to food systems programming and policy.
• Provide support in compiling and synthesizing information for the development of case studies and knowledge products.
• Assist addressing requests from different stakeholders as well as from the field ensuring adequate support is provided on issues related to food systems programming.
• Collaborate with communication teams to ensure that messaging is clear, engaging, and accessible to different stakeholders.
• Support the coordination of organize events, meetings, and forums focused on food systems programming and policy.
• Contribute to data analysis efforts and facilitate the corporate annual data collection process.
• Travel to the field as necessary.
• Any other duties as required.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Improved coordination among internal stakeholders, resulting in more streamlined and coherent approaches to food systems programming and policy initiatives.
• Ensured WFP’s adequate representation and timely input in external platforms and events related to food systems.
• Enhanced dissemination and utilization of knowledge products and case studies, leading to better-informed decision-making and implementation of food systems initiatives.
• Improved documentation and knowledge sharing within the organization, ensuring that lessons learned, best practices, and innovative approaches in food systems programming are systematically captured, documented, and disseminated.
• Provided enhanced support and assistance to WFP country offices in implementing food systems programming.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s dregee with experience and training/courses in one or more of the following disciplines: Agricultural economics, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Two to three years of post-graduate, progressively responsible, job related experience in official development assistance, implementing or overseeing programmes.
• Fluency in English.
• Proficiency in Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Behavioural competencies such as Action Management, Client Orientation, Cognitive Capacity, Innovation, Partnering and Teamwork.
• Willingness to travel to remote regions, if necessary, on short notice.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Exposure to the international arena either by direct work for an international institution/organization or by interacting with international stakeholders.
• Intermediate level of one, or more, of the following official languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese
• WFP’s international professionals are required to serve in different locations around the world during their career (including in hardship duty stations); willingness to be mobile would maximise opportunities for long-term retention into the Organization.

SUPERVISION

The JPO will receive guidance from the Food Systems Cell Chief and direct supervision from the Deputy Head. Additionally, the Chief will act as a second-level supervisor. The JPO is expected to collaborate closely with other units within WFP and maintain frequent communication with Country Offices and Regional Bureaus to provide timely support as needed. Daily guidance will be available as required.

TRAINING COMPONENTS

The JPO will fully be integrated into the Programme team and involved in the day-to-day operations of the team under the supervision of the Policy and Programme Officer. The JPO will be offered possibilities to participate in professional trainings and travels to support country offices on the programme areas relevant to the incumbent’s professional profile as agreed with the supervisor. Training will be provided mainly through on-the-job experience, including attending meetings with other teams in WFP and outside, data management, liaising with partner organizations, and drafting documents. The JPO will also be able to self-train through WFP’s corporate e-learning tools in SAMS, resilience and food systems and other programmes available for internal users.

LEARNING ELEMENTS

At the end of the two-year assignment, the JPO should have obtained:

• Good knowledge of WFP’s project cycle in general, and WFP’s framework for SAMS and Resilient Food Systems.
• Good skills in project design, coordination as well as guidance development in SAMS and Resilient Food Systems.
• Familiarity with other related WFP workstreams, Resilience, Homegrown School Feeding, Nutrition, and Action to protect against Climate Shocks.
• Good general understanding of WFP’s overall operations and activities.

Bitte senden Sie Ihre JPO-Bewerbung direkt an das Büro Führungskräfte zu Internationalen Organisationen (BFIO) unter Angabe der Chiffre Nr. 2024-2-60 auf dem Bewerbungsbogen.

Alle Informationen finden Sie unter www.bfio.de