Programme Policy Officer (Social Protection) NOC – Baghdad, Iraq

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.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity, and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. In 2022 WFP supported 711,635 people in Iraq. Through providing food for vulnerable people, skills to build futures, and enhanced social protection, WFP is helping the Government of Iraq build people’s food security and resilience. For more information, see wfp.org/countries/iraq and ar.wfp.org/countries/iraq.

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. In 2019, WFP partnered with governments in 75 countries to support their national social protection systems, making support to social protection an integral part of WFP’s activities in most of the countries where it operates.
As the COVID-19 pandemic puts at risk not only the lives and livelihoods of many people across the globe, it also threatens to undermine decades of progress towards the SDGs. In response to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, many governments are currently adapting and/or putting in place new social protection schemes.
Through its triple role as a technical advisor, service provider and complementary actor, WFP is supporting these efforts, as it works with governments to extend the coverage, comprehensiveness, adequacy and quality of national social protection systems, with the aim to ensure that all people have access, throughout their lives, to strong national social protection systems that safeguard and foster their ability to meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs, and to reduce and address the risks and shocks they face.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

There has been a growing demand for WFP to support the national social protection system. As a result, there is an increasing need for internal coordination across functional areas (e.g. nutrition, school feeding, SAMS, EPR, VAM, country capacity strengthening, VAM, supply chain, TECH) where WFP has a comparative advantage, to ensure the organisation delivers well-planned, integrated social protection support to the Government.
WFP Iraq Country Office is implementing a number of projects on social protection, ranging from evidence-based policies for social protection, building shock responsive mechanisms for resilience and livelihood, and facilitating digital transformation of the social protection systems in the country, as part of the overall social protection reform agenda of the Government of Iraq, with the generous support of the European Union.

JOB PURPOSE

To deliver against the above, the Country Office is seeking a Social Protection Programme Policy Officer (NOC) to design and manage its social protection programmes. The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Head of Social Protection.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Act as the country office social protection focal point, ensuring a clear and strong connection between the field operations, Regional Burau, and HQ.
2. Translate corporate and regional policies and strategies pertinent to social protection into country-level practices;
3. Contribute to formulation of the Country Strategic Plan in line with WFP’s corporate and regional policies and strategies on social protection, as well as Executive Board decisions and other relevant guidance;
4. Design and manage social protection programmes of moderate size or complexity that effectively meet food security and nutrition needs;
5. 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;
6. Establish and maintain strategic and operational partnerships for complementary and collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve social protection and support related advocacy work within all relevant audiences.
7. Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums pertinent to social protection.
8. Manage operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to social protection.
9. Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of knowledge products or proposals for internal or external use that position and strengthen the credibility of WFP as a partner in social protection.
10. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for WFP social protection activities, including by articulating a business case for WFP’s contributions to social protection and exploring new potential resource channels;
11. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set social protection objectives within a moderate budget.
12. Advise and support the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage in social protection-relevant policy dialogues, programme design and delivery.
13. Lead, motivate and develop a team of high performers.
14. Other as required.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Leads by Example with Integrity

• Demonstrates and encourages others to uphold the WFP values, principles and standards.
• Values diversity using respectful and inclusive language and encourages others to do the same.
• Stays focused and calm when under pressure, encourages others to do the same, and offers guidance and support to manage difficult situations.
• Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, frequently seeking and acting on feedback, and pursuing opportunities to develop.

Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments

• Identifies and aligns objectives to the required outcomes, holding self and/or others accountable for the delivery of results for maximum impact.
• Delegates responsibly and provides appropriate support empowering others to deliver results.
• Responds readily to change in different contexts and adapts accordingly.

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative

• Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by encouraging colleagues to collaborate by sharing ideas and openly raising issues.
• Supports development for others by giving timely and constructive feedback.
• Seeks out, trusts and listens attentively to diverse views to capture, learn, build and share new perspectives.

Applies Strategic Thinking

• Communicates and fulfils WFP’s vision and operational outcomes to deliver meaningful solutions.
• Demonstrates curiosity, designs and implements new ways of doing things when relevant.
• Gathers data and different perspectives, shares knowledge and uses evidence to inform decision making.
• Implements decisions, considering the risks and implications of actions for teams, projects and other initiatives.

Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships

• Initiates and builds partnerships by identifying and promoting opportunities for mutual areas of interest and benefit.
• Collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives by sharing information and cocreating innovative solutions with beneficiaries when appropriate.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Social Policy, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, or other fields relevant to social protection.

Experience:

• 5 or more years of professional experience relevant to social protection, preferably contributing to food security and/or nutrition objectives.
• Has experience working across the policy cycle.
• Has experience working across various programme types relevant to social protection (e.g. cash-transfer programmes, school feeding, public works / food assistance for assets, insurance programmes).
• Has experience leading a team.

Language:

• Fluency (level C) in English language and Arabic language.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• 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.
• Problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Aptitude for supervising, guiding and empowering staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, conveying an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative information to understand current and future social protection needs and identify solutions.
• Learning agility, and appetite for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organized manner.
• Ability to work as part of a team, participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others, regardless of gender, culture, background, experience, or country assignment.
• Moderate to proficient computer literacy.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Grade: NOB
Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.
Duty Station: Baghdad, Iraq
Salary: Starting at USD 75,168.00 gross per year.
Medical Plan: Valid medical plan for the staff member, spouse, and dependent’s children
Annual Leave: 30 working days per year.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications close on 16 December 2023

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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.