Programme Policy Officer, Kaga Bandoro_ CST I

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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 identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, disability.

Women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT

JOB TITLE:                         Programme Policy Officer- M&E 

TYPE OF CONTRACT:   International consultant Level I

UNIT/DIVISION:            RBD-CAR CO

DUTY STATION:             Bangui, Central African Republic

DURATION:                      11 months

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

The Central African Republic is a politically and economically fragile country, in which the level of insecurity in the hinterland areas remains a source of concern. And this, despite a renewed lull over the last two years with the strengthening of the actions of MINUSCA and the rise in power of the FACA supported by bilateral allied forces.

Humanitarian needs remain high as a result of the conflict that has persisted for over a decade, and the recent impact of the war in Sudan and insecurity in the northwestern border region with Chad.

Under its CSP second generation covering the period March 2023 – December 2027, WFP will be targeting over 1.5 million people on a yearly basis, looking forward to gradually shift from pure humanitarian/relief activities to resilience-oriented activities, operating through its Bangui based country office and 7 offices in the field.

WFP maintains its presence in Kaga Bandoro to cover the central and northern parts of the country. The KagaBandoro field office is the fourth WFP office in size and covers  the administrative prefectures of Nana Grebizi, Kemo, Bamingui-Bangoran. WFP implements a complex programme portfolio including General Food distribution, School Feeding Programmes, malnutrition prevention and treatment as well as food for assets resilience activities; Kaga also plays the role of logistics storage hub mainly for the sub-offices of Bossangoa and the remote Vakaga prefecture.  

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Field Office, the incumbent will have the following duties/responsibilities for which he/she will be accountable for :

1. Contribute to the development of projects, concepts, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
2. Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of small to moderate size that are relatively straight forward in nature, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
3. support the data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
4. Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes  activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
5. Liaise with internal counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects.
6. Coordinate and supervise the duties assigned to the Programme Assistants and ensure that activities are planned and carried out in collaboration with stakeholders providing relevant quantitative and qualitative information to facilitate  proper subsequent monitoring, data collection and reporting of WFP assistance to the beneficiaries.
7. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and government counterparts to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through project management support of learning initiatives.
8. Provide guidance to support staff, acting as a point of referral and assisting them with analysis and queries.
9. Identify areas of intervention for WFP in close collaboration with local authorities and cooperating partners.
10. Participate and contribute to overall humanitarian coordination mechanisms at the level of the field office; liaise with government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, with a view to harmonizing and coordinating ongoing and future food assistance activities. 
11. Regularly meet with and brief the above-mentioned stakeholders in order to discuss new findings, beneficiaries and pipeline status and corrective actions, when required.
12. Transmit clear, comprehensive and yet concise information to the Country Office such as Weekly/Monthly Activities Report as required and facilitate public information on food assistance activities.
13. Undertake field visits and spot-check visits to view projects outputs and beneficiaries, inspect storage places, extended and final delivery points where WFP commodities are received in the country.
14. Evaluate the performance and capacities of the cooperating partners, and review agreements accordingly.
15. Liaise with supply chain team in the field office and ensure timely delivery of food to the Cooperating partners and beneficiaries.
16. Perform other related functions as required

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

As an active World Food Programme team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to World Food Programme and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• Timely planning and delivery of food assistance to the intended beneficiaries;
• Well managed projects over the project cycle as well as programmes and/or operations including effective utilisation of food and CBT resources; implementation progress is properly covered;

Programme implementations challenges are analysed, and solutions are proposed to the head of Field Office in a proactive manner and effective contribution to the Country Office

• Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs;
• Programme Cross-cutting issues (Gender, Protection and Accountability to the Affected population etc.) are analysed and mainstreamed in WFP activities and age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment;
• Cooperating partners are identified, trained for implementation of WFP activities and evaluated in a timely manner;
• Effective coordination with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, beneficiaries towards the achievement of project objectives;
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Par Partners (IPs);

•  Effective support provided to the Head of Field Office.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education:

Advanced university degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field. or first University degree with additional years of related work experience and or training/course.

Experience:

• Has developed, or supported in the development of, multi discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area;
• Has gained experience in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency situation;
• Has field experience via field rotations or working in a sub-office, and through field postings;
• Has gained experience of analyzing political situations, assessing risk accurately and supporting managers and leaders in decision making that is sensitive to this;
• Has gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme;
• Has gained experience managing mid-size financial budgets, balancing multiple priorities effectively;
• Has experience leading a mid-size to large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives;
• Has participated in a vendor/government partner negotiation in support of broad function or country office requirements;
• Has participated in moderately complex emergency operation/development programme;
• Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a mid-size area.

Knowledge 

& Skills:

• Experience in a developing country (other than own) showing ability to work Previously under conditions of hardship and low infrastructure.

Languages: 

• Fluency (level C) in French language with at least intermediate knowledge (level B) English

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  16 May 2024

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.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.