Programme Policy Officer

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Description

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PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

Smallholder farmers in CAR lack the resources, information, technology, and skills to increase their yield and undertake value-adding activities necessary to improve their production, livelihoods, and incomes. The limited integration of farmers into the agricultural value chain and the lack of transformation into high-value-added products adapted to the conditions of a changing climate affected communities is a concern. Improved practices while ensuring access of smallholder farmers to markets and strengthening their inclusion in a resilient food system is a crucial missing link to sustainably solve the poverty and malnutrition situation in CAR.

The purpose of this assignment is to lead the Smallholder’s Agricultural Market Support (SAMS) Section, ensure effective management of the PRUCAC, the coordination of all the stakeholders involved the design, planning and implementation of the overall PRUCAC activities and other SAMS activities including capacity development of smallholder farmers, local purchases, post-harvest loss reduction initiatives, and enhancing access to markets.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the strategic guidance of the Head of Programme, Programme Policy Officer- The Programme Policy Consultant – SAMS will manage integrated SAMS portfolio of the Country Office including day-to- day implementation of SAMS activities and Management of PRUCAC project linked to value chain, home-grown school feeding, Food for asset, Nutrition and social behaviour change communications. The successful candidate will coordinate with partners, stakeholders and elicit technical inputs from sectoral experts in the areas of Agriculture, Environment, Energy, Financial inclusion, food safety and quality, technology (post-harvest losses, Digitalization, etc.), Monitoring and evaluation, etc.

• The Programme Policy Consultant – SAMS will supervise multiple technical and support personnel and work closely with various value chain actors in CAR with key line ministries, including the ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, Ministries in charges of Environment, Trade and industry, Education. Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
• Oversee, manage and coordinate the design, planning and implementation of projects to support smallholder farmers and value chains initiatives in CAR including PRUCAC project, and foster synergies between activities supporting people, communities, systems,
• Plan, coordinate and monitor PRUCAC activities to achieve established objectives.
• Produce PRUCAC reports and share them within deadlines.
• Act as a link between the WFP, the PRUCAC Coordination Unit, the World Bank Project Technical Team, cooperating partners and all the stakeholders involved in its implementation.
• Support the development of the overall SAMS activities including capacity development of smallholder farmers, local purchases, post-harvest loss reduction initiatives, and enhancing access to markets.
• Lead the development of business linkages amongst targeted smallholders, farmer organizations, low-income farmers and other potential markets beyond WFP.
• Lead strategy development, planning, and implementation of activities- to link smallholder farmers to markets (SAMS), including WFP and other potential markets; and support training to stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, on post-harvest solutions, as well as storage, handling and quality checks.
• Contribute to Programme integration that links households supported under WFP food assistance initiatives, particularly Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), Home-Grown School Meals, nutrition and to SAMS activities.
• Contribute to resources mobilization efforts for SAMS projects and funding proposals opportunities.
• Provide policy, strategic, and technical guidance on the positioning, identification, and design of integrated Smallholder farmers and value chains programming through a food systems lens approaches.
• Provide solid technical and, as required, managerial leadership on a broad range of strategic and programme issues to support government efforts and engage with partners and stakeholders to scale up Smallholder farmers and value chains programmes that consist of integrated, layered, and sequenced initiatives, and contribute to reducing hunger and malnutrition.
• Engage with government stakeholders and partners to provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation, and implementation of integrated value programmes, and to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes.
• Identify and foster multi-sectorial partnerships (governments, UN, NGO’s, academia, and research institutions).
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums on subjects related to food systems transformation, Smallholder farmers and value chains; engagement in the humanitarian- development-peace nexus contexts and seek entry points for context driven Smallholder farmers and value chains design and implementation.
• Monitor and oversee preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal and/or external use, that demonstrate how Smallholder farmers and value chains efforts are advancing to enable informed decision-making related to the programmes.
• Advocate for resources for a broad portfolio of WFP’s food systems transformation; .
• Advise and support the development and implementation of functional training that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to design and deliver effective integrated Smallholder farmers and value chains programmes in line with corporate guidance such as the new SAMS value chain framework. Ensure that the assigned financial resources are put to best use for achievement of set objectives. Ensure protection, gender, disability, and accountability to affected population (AAP), inclusive Integrated Farmer Plan (PIP) approach are implemented and incorporated in all areas of this work to ensure meaningful participation of women and men and the empowerment of women and youth and other marginalized groups. Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff to enable high performance. Coordinate with the various departments or units in the CO and Field Offices to ensure full compliance with WFP’s policy, procedures, and standards.
• Participate in internal and external meetings as well as relevant trainings or workshops Carry out technical evaluation of the project proposals developed by the Cooperative Partners (CPs), and provide feedback on the proposals; and support the approval and implementation of Field Level Agreements (FLAs) Conduct site visits, support identification of monitoring needs Programme and contribute to M&E’s purposive monitoring plan.
• Assist in documentation of lessons learnt and best practices in Smallholder farmers and value chains programmes and prepare technical as well as periodic operational reports.
• Work flexibly and take on additional tasks as may be needed to meet project and program objectives.
• Carry out any other duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Strengthened position of WFP programmes within resilience and development agenda;
• Increased collaboration with other partners (UN, NGO, donors) for delivery of recovery and resilience related programmes in CAR.
• Increased awareness of and advocacy for WFP SAMS activities in CAR.
• Enhanced partnership with Government and cooperating partners to deliver support that enhances resilience.
• Improved capacity among WFP and partner staff to support the development of local livelihoods.
• Farmers and other stakeholders, such as farmers associations and line ministries, have enhanced knowledge and usage of post-harvest solutions.
• Greater synergies between WFP programmes, where possible: FFA, HGSM school meals, nutrition, SAMS, etc.
• Developed linkages with other WFP programmes and interventions of other agencies to increase the level of service provided to vulnerable households and smallholder farmers.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Advanced University degree or University degree with experience and training/courses in one or more of the following disciplines: business, economic, social sciences, international development, or related disciplines or first University Degree with at least 5 years of work experience.

Experience:

• At least 5 years postgraduate, progressively responsible, job related experience in safety nets (including SAMS programme) cash transfer programming, programme management, or fields related to the above disciplines.

Knowledge & Skills:

• A demonstrated ability to prepare concise and well-written reports and documents in French is critical.
• Proficiency in utilising computers, including word processing, spreadsheet, power point, and other office software packages and systems.
• Competencies:  Cognitive  Capacity,  Teamwork,  Action Management, Partnerships, Client Orientation.

Languages:

• Fluency(Level C) in French with at least Intermediate knowledge (level B) in English.

Source: https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/wfp/job_openings/job/Bangui-Central-African-Republic/Programme-Policy-Officer-CST-I–Smallholder-Agricultural-Market-Support–SAMS-_JR106204

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