Programme Policy Officer NOC, Arua

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

WFP Uganda Country Office is assisting over 1.2 million beneficiaries under various program portfolio in the West Nile and Acholi Regions which fall under the responsibility of Arua Area Office. Among that number, 90% are refugees that are hosted and assisted by the Government of Uganda with support and close collaboration by the International Community, WFP being one of main frontline service delivery responsible Agency towards zero hunger.

The operations to reach the target beneficiaries and communities require resources, coordination efforts and dedication from both WFP Arua-based team as well as a regular support from the country office. Being an area office where at least 60% of all country office transactions are taking place, and the follow up that it entails, Arua office needs more support in human resources as a boost towards timely service delivery effectiveness and efficiency.

It is with the above background that a Program Policy Officer at NOC grade level is needed to reinforce the ground team in Arua, especially the daily operations management.

1. Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
2. Coordinate the Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes, and activities.
3. 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.
4. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects, and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
5. Liaise with Field Office teams to plan and manage WFP field Programmes in the concerned districts of the Westnile and Acholi region to ensure effective and efficient delivery of food assistance and that daily operational issues are resolved in a timely manner to prevent losses or delays.
6. Ensure that allocated resources are used efficiently and are in line with agreed plans, and any deviations are reported to the Area/Country Office.
7. Ensure development and coordination of data gathering, analysis and monitoring systems for the purpose of evidence generation on impact of WFP programmes, and that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
8. Provide leadership and technical expertise for the planning, formulation, and implementation of flexible food assistance programmes for complex operational environments, including through participation in operational planning forums between CO, AO and FOs.
9. Support identification, development, and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.
10. Build strategic, effective, and collaborative relations with the local authorities and contribute to the sharing of expertise and capacity strengthening for effective preparedness and response to food assistance needs.
11. Strengthen WFP’s leadership status in forums relating to WFP programme activities and facilitate coordination with other agencies and NGOs to ensure that WFP activities complement one another and do not overlap, and that synergies for the food assistance responses are created and maintained.
12. Manage Area Office’s technical internal and external support of Community engagement,Crisis Response, Partnerships, AMS, Nutrition.
13. Ensure extensive and frequent presence at project areas, distribution sites and centres.
14. Support capacity building of WFP staff, partners, and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs.
15. Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff to enable high performance.
16. Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral while ensuring development of a cohesive, innovative, and high performing team.
17. Coordinate timely and effective resources accountability and reporting activities for all programs
18. Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.