Programme Policy Officer (Social Protection Coordinator), P4 in Moldova, Chisinau

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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.

Are you a Social Protection Officer interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

9 May 2024 (11:59 PM CET).

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, 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.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org/ and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

ABOUT PROGRAMME AND POLICY (SOCIAL PROTECTION) AT WFP

Social protection is an increasingly popular strategy for governments to reduce extreme poverty, hunger and inequality. Virtually every country in the world has at least one social protection scheme in place, and 2.5 million people are already covered by some type of social protection programme.

As a global leader in fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide, often in very difficult contexts, the World Food Programme (WFP) is increasingly called upon by governments to support national social protection systems. To continue responding effectively to challenging contexts while also contributing to longer-term efforts to end hunger, WFP is in the process of strengthening its engagement in support of national social protection systems and safety nets, supporting governments with technical expertise.

Since the onset of the Ukraine refugee crisis in February 2022, WFP has been active in Moldova, delivering essential assistance and strengthening social service provision to refugees, vulnerable Moldovans, and communities hosting refugees in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), other United Nations agencies, and partners. Building on early crisis response activities, WFP is working with the MLSP as part of the social protection national reform plan RESTART (2023 – 2024) to improve effectiveness of services and strengthen the shock responsive capacity of the system to future crisis. In addition, at a programmatic level, WFP is providing cash transfers, hot meals, and snacks to refugees as well as cash-based transfers to households hosting refugees and to crisis affected vulnerable Moldovan households.

THE ROLE

To deliver against the above commitments, the Moldova Country Office is seeking a Programme Policy Officer (Social Protection Coordinator) LFT P4 to manage its social protection programmes and coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in line with the RESTART reforms. The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Act as the Country Office social protection focal point and coordinator, ensuring a clear and strong connection between the Country Office, Regional Bureau in Cairo (RBC), Headquarters (HQ) and other Country Offices as useful (e.g. Armenia, Ukraine.)

• Translate WFP corporate and regional policies and strategies pertinent to social protection into country-level practices;
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums pertinent to social protection in Moldova;
• Serve as WFP’s representative on technical Working Groups led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), including the Digitalization Working Group, Performance Management Working Group, and other key working groups established for the roll out and implementation of the RESTART reforms;
• Participate in meetings with the MLSP to discuss the roll out and implementation of the RESTART reforms and WFP’s contributions and support within the parameters of the Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP);
• Build capacity of different teams within the Programme Unit to understand the linkages between various thematic areas (Cash-Based Transfers, Vulnerability Assessment Mapping, Monitoring and Evaluation) and social protection within the Moldova Country Office context and the parameters of the Interim Country Strategic Plan.
• Ensure optimal knowledge management on the WFP Moldova Social Protection offer across relevant offices, partners, and donors (including Armenia and Ukraine, UN-collaboration around social protection in support of host-government sectoral reforms, as well as EU-related donors and countries, incl. DG NEAR.)

2. Take a leading role within the Moldova Country Office to define and set strategic direction in social protection engagement with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) under the Government of Moldova.

• Advise the Moldova Country Office in defining and further clarifying how to take forward the office’s Social Protection programming as outlined in the Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP);
• In collaboration with other counterparts, lead on the implementation of the Country Office’s activities in social protection, specifically activities related to hot meals for vulnerable refugees, cash assistance for refugees and vulnerable.
• Moldovans, digitalization activities related to social protection, and capacity strengthening for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection on social protection systems and programmes;
• Take the lead in developing the strategic direction and positioning of the Country Office’s engagement in social protection and overall country social protection strategy, in line with the ICSP.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP) in line with WFP’s corporate and regional policies and strategies on social protection, as well as Executive Board decisions and other relevant guidance.
• Assist government counterparts identify and analyze policy problems and provide – or mobilize – support and technical expertise for the design and delivery of suitable social protection solutions.
• Inform Country Office strategic and technical programme development, fostering integration of the work of relevant technical teams (VAM, cash-based transfers, emergency preparedness and response planning, school feeding, nutrition, TEC…) and liaising with relevant CO, Regional Bureau and Headquarters focal points as required.
• Provide guidance to MLSP in adopting the cash assured payments framework developed by WFP for the Governments.

3. Provide technical support to Moldova Country Office on social protection and capacity strengthening.

• Provide technical advice to the Government on a wide range of programme and policy issues related to social protection and safety nets, including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities, the use of social protection management information systems.
• Lead the Country Office’s efforts to integrate the work of relevant technical teams (VAM, cash-based transfers, emergency preparedness and response planning, TEC, etc…) with regards to adaptive and shock-responsive social protection in support to food and nutrition security, demonstrating an understanding particularly of cash transfer programmes;
• Lead the Country Office’s efforts to develop programme proposals for resource mobilization in line with the ICSP;
• Strengthen the capacity building of Country Office staff and government counterparts to develop a community of practice.

4. Take the lead on partnership development activities with UN agencies, International Financial Institutions, and other development partners.

• Maintain and develop the Country Office’s partnerships with UN agencies around the areas of social protection and support the implementation of the interagency MOU with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and bilateral workplans with the respective agencies.
• Participate in interagency coordination meetings and contribute to UN internal interagency working groups on the various thematic areas related to the social protection support the UN is providing to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
• Liaise and build relationships with counterparts in IFIs, including the World Bank, to identify opportunities for collaboration in the region, and liaise with other Programme Units and Partnerships as required.
• Strengthen the Country Office’s partnership development with Government, the World Bank and other IFIs and development partners, including the refining and revision the social protection strategy and roadmap of engagement towards that and articulation of opportunities for collaboration in social protection and beyond.
• Represent WFP in policy dialogue on social protection with key actors.
• Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
• Other tasks as required and assigned by the supervisor or the senior management.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

You have:

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, Sociology, or other fields relevant to social protection, or a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience.

Experience:

You have:

• At least 8 or more years of professional experience relevant to social protection, preferably contributing to food security and/or nutrition objectives.

Language:

You have:

• Fluency (level C) in English language.
• Professional proficiency in Romanian (including Moldovan dialect) or Russian preferred but not required.

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Experience working in the Eastern Europe region, Caucasus and/or Moldova.
• Experience working alongside government partners in strengthening national protection systems.
• UN or donor experience, especially with WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, or UNDP is an asset.
• Strong team working skills to work cross-functionally with teams across Programme, including CBT, VAM, and M&E.
• A sound understanding of policymaking processes and the ability to distil operationally relevant recommendations and lessons for governments.
• Understanding of Agenda 2030 and respective targets – particularly SDG1, SDG2 and SDG17 – and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them.
• Understanding of WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection and public policy.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in country capacity strengthening and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles.
• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at [email protected] . Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is an International Professional position and the candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
• Limited Fixed-Term Appointment (LFT) position is a non-mobile staff appointment in the international professional category for a limited period for up to 4 years.
• The position is based in Moldova, Chisinau and the selected candidate will be expected to relocate. Incumbents of LFT positions are not eligible to apply for other mobile positions advertised internally through the Reassignment.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel, visa and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, aneducation grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. For more information, visit https://icsc.un.org/.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language.
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter.
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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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.