Programme Policy Officer P3

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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 of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Short-Term Professional P3
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme Operations Department
Programme Cycle, Quality and Budgeting Service (PQB)
Programme Cycle and Quality Unit (PQBC)
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Home-based
DURATION: until 31 Dec 2026

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The World Food Programme is looking for a Programme Policy Officer to support the organization’s country strategic planning activities in line with the Strategic Plan (2026-2029), the 2030 Agenda and the application of United Nations reform processes. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Unit, the Programme Policy Officer is expected to:
i. Provide timely, quality support to Country Offices in their country strategic planning process and other corporate strategies led by the Programme Operations Department.
ii. Contribute to implementing WFP’s streamlined approach to country strategic planning and enhancing the implementation of the CSP Policy.
iii. Support WFP’s programmatic engagement with UN Sustainable Development Group initiatives, UN Development System Reform and other critical Programme Operations initiatives.
iv. Contribute to developing, reviewing and updating corporate guidelines and tools related to country strategic planning.
Specifically, the Programme Policy Officer will perform the following functions:
1. Provide timely, quality support to Country Offices in their country strategic planning process and other corporate strategies led by the Programme Operations Department.
a) Support Country Offices in engaging in the Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF development process:
• Provide guidance to Country Offices on the UNSDCF process and UN Reform in general.
• Provide support to Country Offices in their strategic engagement in the Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF process.
• Review and provide inputs to CCA reports and UNSDCF draft documents as needed.
• Provide support to Country Offices in their strategic engagement with country stakeholders before, during and after UNSDCF design.
b) Support Country Offices in carrying out their country strategic planning processes:
• Act as the focal point for the strategic planning processes in two regions and related Country Offices and help design and implement CSPs.
• Advise and support Country Offices in aligning their current strategic planning cycles with the UNSDCF through e.g. Budget Revisions.
• Organize and facilitate CSP formulation exercises, workshops and consultations, in close coordination with the Regional Offices, GHQ divisions and technical units.
• Support Country Offices in designing, framing and drafting their CSPs and guide them through the internal and external approval and review process.
• Provide and continuously improve knowledge-sharing and lessons learned on strategic formulation and CSP design.
• Support the preparation of CSP revisions, conduct a quality review and provide relevant clearance.
2. Contribute to implementing WFP’s corporate approach to country strategic planning and enhancing the implementation of the CSP Policy.
a) Support the Head of PQBC and the PO Department in implementing and continuously improve the streamlined corporate architecture of CSPs:
• Refine and adjust as needed the conceptual approach for the streamlined CSP apparatus, including through an analysis and revision of the CSP package.
• Contribute to refining the CSP template and support related cross-functional coordination and consultations, including with Executive Board members.
• Contribute to the Programme Cycle Steering Group activities as relevant to the next generation of CSPs.
• Support the Head of PQBC Unit and PQB Director in technical discussions and initiatives related to new generation CSPs. Act as the focal point for selected themes as assigned and represent PQBC in related working groups.
• Follow-up on audit recommendations related to the work of PQBC and PQB, as well as support management responses to evaluation recommendations.
3. Support WFP’s programmatic engagement with UN Sustainable Development Group initiatives, UN Development System Reform and other critical Programme Operations initiatives.
a) Support PQBC and the Programme Operations Department’s UNSDG engagement:
• Engage in UN reform discussions and analyse the implications for WFP’s country strategic planning; produce related position papers, corporate proposals and briefs for WFP management.
• Engage in UN reform inter-agency processes and related working groups facilitated by DCO, in particular on Programme Development and Results.
• Facilitate the engagement of PO Assistant Executive Director and WFP management in strategic issues related to UN Reform.
• Continuously analyse programmatic implications of UN Reform related issues and support PO engagement and strategic dialogue with the Executive Board.
b) Support the Head of PQBC and the Programme Operations Department’s engagement in other corporate initiatives:
• Contribute to WFP Strategic Plan Implementation and “new territory” areas (e.g. multi-country CSPs, engagement as “non-resident agency”, LEOs) based on the team’s institutional memory and experience.
• Support the Head of PQBC Unit and PQB Director in developing, engaging or contributing to additional corporate strategic processes as needed.
4. Contribute to developing, reviewing and updating corporate guidelines and tools related to country strategic planning.
a) Develop new guidance pieces as needed, regularly review existing guidance documents and templates including updating UNSDCF guidance package as global guidance pieces evolve;
b) Contribute to managing and regularly updating the CSP Manual, as one-stop repository of CSP-related guidance, templates and tools.
c) Contribute to guidance materials developed by other units and divisions;

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced University Degree and/or equivalent experience with emphasis in one or more of the following disciplines: political sciences, economics, agriculture, international affairs, social sciences, development studies or a field relevant to international development or humanitarian assistance.
Experience:
At least 11 years post graduate, progressively responsible international and national experience in the fields of goal oriented/strategic planning, organizational change management, programme re-orientation, policy development, etc. Specific experience in strategy formulation, programme management and project planning in a large multicultural institution in the field or headquarters is an asset.
Knowledge & Skills:
Ability to translate understanding of programme principles into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches; Good understanding of project lifecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities; Solid knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures; Ability to explain WFP projects and operations to counterparts and to communicate with Government and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; Strong writing, analytical and research skills; Good interpersonal skills, teamwork spirit and ability to work in multicultural settings.
Languages:
Proficiency/level C of English, French and Spanish is required.
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