Programme Policy Officer- Government Engagement and Nutrition Integration-NOB

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

Lao PDR is characterized by high levels of stunting (33%), wasting (10.7%) and micronutrient deficiencies in children and women of reproductive age. Overweight and obesity have significantly increased in the past decade, echoing global and regional trends, and is a growing concern particularly among adult women. Thus, Laos can be characterized as experiencing the triple burden of malnutrition. Nutrition remains a high priority in the national development agenda.

Since January 2022, WFP has been implementing a Country Strategic Plan 2022-2026 which is formulated around the achievement of four strategic outcomes. Through Strategic Outcome 2, WFP aims to improve the nutritional status of key population groups. This includes promoting changes in people’s behavior through the introduction of complementary, nutritious foods; diversification of diets; improving infant and young child feeding practices; and enhancing communities’ ownership of initiatives such as school feeding. WFP aims to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable people throughout their life cycle, as well as increase their resilience to seasonal and long-term shocks and stresses.

Several Nutrition sensitive projects funded by various donors are being implemented jointly with the government structures, particularly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The projects promote nutrition sensitive agriculture and encourages local communities to improve their planning capacities and nutrition outcomes and diversify their agriculture practices through, among others, Farmer Nutrition Schools and the distribution of grants.

JOB PURPOSE

The Programme Policy Officer for Government engagement will support the nutrition team and coordinate closely with the Government within Strategic Outcome 2 of the WFP Country Strategic Plan (CSP, 2022-2026) and report to Head of Nutrition in Country Office. He/she will particularly be responsible of the coordination, policy dialogue and engagement with the government, and support development of policy documents, guideline, and evidence under the Nutrition Portfolio.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Maintain effective relationships with the government of Lao PDR, UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners, in order to keep them informed on important, strategic operational approach of WFP nutrition-sensitive supported programme.
• Coordinate with government for developing policies, guidelines, M&E framework, and other key policy documents related to the nutrition programme.
• Support regular risk analysis and programme adjustments required to strengthen the nutrition sensitive design and delivery in the context of the country.
• Continue to work with relevant stakeholders to identify capacity gaps and opportunities and lead capacity assessments and plans to address these gaps.
• Lead WFP’s research and evidence generation initiatives linked to capacity strengthening with a focus on SBC and nutrition-sensitive programming and approaches.
• Lead/facilitate discussions within WFP and with the Government on action needed based on the evidence, and subsequently to national capacity strengthening priorities.
• Provide information to the government, UN agencies, NGOs and other partners on the strategy, design, relevance and impact of programmes, to advocate the work of nutrition-sensitive programme.
• Contribute to building and maintaining relationships with external partners including government, UN, NGOs and other development partners in support of programme strategy, implementation, enhanced coordination and resource mobilization related to nutrition.
• Attend meetings with the UN and other multilateral bodies and NGOs , sharing information and inputs from WFP that will contribute to ensure that WFP positions are properly explained and taken into account in decision making for support the achievement of nutrition outcomes.
• Maintain awareness of current activities, political and social events of UN and other multilateral bodies/governments, conduct analysis to understand how they may impact WFP activities and programmes and provide timely information to WFP staff for decision-making.
• Coordinate collaboration with government partners and relevant stakeholders to enhance communication and exchange lessons learnt from the programme implementation and advocate for possible policy changes.
• Document the learning of programme implementation, facilitate internal and external discussions on findings and recommendations, and proactively lead the actions to inform programme adjustments.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Work as a focal point for the policy dialogue with the Government entities.
• Perform other duties as required or as directed by the reporting officer.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree or advanced degree in the areas of Sociology, Public Health/ Public Administration/Political Science, International Relations or Business Administration or relevant field is required.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and Lao

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

This section is optional to describe additional responsibilities & knowledge required for the specific job.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• At least 5 years’ experience with Master degree or 10 year experience with Bachelor degree with in humanitarian activities and/or public works and /or community mobilization or related area is required.
• Work experience, preferably with technical roles in government partnership management, systems development, public policy/administration and programme management.
• Substantial experience in advocacy and policy development / research in the development context.
• Experience in community development, and civic engagement under UN projects would be an added advantage.
• Has engaged in strategic programme/policy processes to inform programme design and implementation.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions across sectors.
• Has experience working with different types of stakeholders (government, UN, research bodies, external experts) at national and sub-national level.
• Demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively, and practically to ensure achievement of desired change objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing, and ability to tactfully negotiate.
• Having experience with leading the project implementation in one or more of WFP’s programme areas (e.g. food security, nutrition, agriculture, education or similar) ideally with a government partnership, institutional development and/or systems strengthening.
• Understanding of WFP’s operations in Lao PDR.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract Type: Fixed Terms Contract ( Lao Nationals Only)

Duration: One year with renewal

Grade: NOB

Duty station: Vientiane

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Opening date: 28 May 2024

Closing date: 10 June 2024

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Female applicants 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.