The World Food Programme is the food assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.

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Programme Policy Officer - Strategic Coordination and Emergency, CST II

Job TypeFull Time

QualificationMBA/MSc/MA

Experience6 years

LocationNairobi

Job FieldProject and Program Management

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Analysis, Engagement and Cross-Functional Coordination

Promote data-informed, evidence-based decision making by synthesizing operational data, contextual analysis and expert inputs into clear options, recommendations and follow-up actions for WFP operations.

Support the Deputy Regional Director in strategic cross-functional coordination, drawing on inputs from Global Functional Teams to translate emerging information into clear strategic insights, options and recommendations for senior management and coordinated support to COs.

Support internal and external coordination processes related to regional priorities, including through preparation, follow-up and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Support RDO leadership team members, especially the Senior Advisor in advancing innovative partnerships in the region by ensuring partnership and innovation opportunities are connected to operational realities.

In collaboration with other RDO colleagues, contribute to the delivery of selected management accountability framework-related processes and follow-up actions linked to the Regional Director.

Emergency Preparedness & Response (EPR) Backstopping and Support

Provide dedicated RDO backstopping support on priority EPR issues (e.g. while current RDO emergency team capacity is temporarily redirected to the Ebola response), ensuring continuity of regional follow-up and seamless coordination with Global Headquarters’ EPR.

Support emergency coordination at regional and Country Office levels, including issue tracking, preparation for coordination meetings, consolidation of action points, follow-up on decisions and facilitation of communication between the RDO, ESARO global functional teams, other headquarters counterparts and Country Offices.

Help ensure that priority emergency and humanitarian issues across the region are strategically interlinked, with key operational risks, cross-border dynamics, resource constraints and management decisions clearly escalated for RDO attention.

Maintain situational awareness of sudden- and slow-onset emergencies in presence and non-presence countries, helping to identify issues requiring timely management attention and/or escalation.

Support the flow of information between field teams, and relevant global headquarters functional teams on priority emergency files, including through the development of high-quality emergency-related analytical products and talking points.

As required, support Country Offices through remote or mission-based assistance on emergency-related planning, management engagement, operational follow-up and coordination with relevant technical units.

Carry out any other tasks as assigned by the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, Strategic Advisor or delegate.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Timely strategic and emergency-related analysis, briefing notes, talking points and decision-support products prepared for the RD, DRD and Strategic Advisor.

Priority emergency files tracked, with key risks, decision points, action points and follow-up requirements clearly maintained and escalated as needed.

Improved information flow between Country Offices, relevant global headquarters functional teams on priority emergency preparedness and response issues.

Cross-functional coordination support provided to ensure Country Office needs and operational constraints are reflected in regional follow-up and management engagement.

Analytical and coordination support provided for selected strategic partnership or innovation initiatives linked to regional operational priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: International Relations, International Development, Political or Social Sciences, or other relevant fields.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience in a relevant field of work, including at least 2 years field experience in an emergency operation. Knowledge of the international humanitarian response architecture including inter-agency coordination mechanisms as well as United Nations systems are required.

Experience in strategy development, policy work, planning and managing programmes and experience in the use of various research methodologies and data visualization is required.

Knowledge & Skills:

Strong communications, analytical and partnerships skills.

Ability to synthesize complex operational, political, humanitarian and food security information into concise written products, options and recommendations for senior management.

Sound theoretical understanding of international humanitarian and development concepts and principles with a broad knowledge of best practices, techniques, and processes.

Flexibility and willingness to travel for extended periods of time.

Ability to plan and organize work programme with minimum supervision.

Familiarity with UN policies, WFP emergency operations and the East and Southern Africa region is desirable.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language is essential.

• Promote data-informed, evidence-based decision making by synthesizing operational data, contextual analysis and expert inputs into clear options, recommendations and follow-up actions for WFP operations.
• Support the Deputy Regional Director in strategic cross-functional coordination, drawing on inputs from Global Functional Teams to translate emerging information into clear strategic insights, options and recommendations for senior management and coordinated support to COs.
• Support internal and external coordination processes related to regional priorities, including through preparation, follow-up and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
• Support RDO leadership team members, especially the Senior Advisor in advancing innovative partnerships in the region by ensuring partnership and innovation opportunities are connected to operational realities.
• In collaboration with other RDO colleagues, contribute to the delivery of selected management accountability framework-related processes and follow-up actions linked to the Regional Director.
• Provide dedicated RDO backstopping support on priority EPR issues (e.g. while current RDO emergency team capacity is temporarily redirected to the Ebola response), ensuring continuity of regional follow-up and seamless coordination with Global Headquarters’ EPR.
• Support emergency coordination at regional and Country Office levels, including issue tracking, preparation for coordination meetings, consolidation of action points, follow-up on decisions and facilitation of communication between the RDO, ESARO global functional teams, other headquarters counterparts and Country Offices.
• Help ensure that priority emergency and humanitarian issues across the region are strategically interlinked, with key operational risks, cross-border dynamics, resource constraints and management decisions clearly escalated for RDO attention.
• Maintain situational awareness of sudden- and slow-onset emergencies in presence and non-presence countries, helping to identify issues requiring timely management attention and/or escalation.
• Support the flow of information between field teams, and relevant global headquarters functional teams on priority emergency files, including through the development of high-quality emergency-related analytical products and talking points.
• As required, support Country Offices through remote or mission-based assistance on emergency-related planning, management engagement, operational follow-up and coordination with relevant technical units.
• Carry out any other tasks as assigned by the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, Strategic Advisor or delegate.

• Strong communications, analytical and partnerships skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex operational, political, humanitarian and food security information into concise written products, options and recommendations for senior management.
• Sound theoretical understanding of international humanitarian and development concepts and principles with a broad knowledge of best practices, techniques, and processes.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel for extended periods of time.
• Ability to plan and organize work programme with minimum supervision.

• Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: International Relations, International Development, Political or Social Sciences, or other relevant fields.
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience in a relevant field of work, including at least 2 years field experience in an emergency operation.
• Knowledge of the international humanitarian response architecture including inter-agency coordination mechanisms as well as United Nations systems are required.
• Experience in strategy development, policy work, planning and managing programmes and experience in the use of various research methodologies and data visualization is required.
• Familiarity with UN policies, WFP emergency operations and the East and Southern Africa region is desirable.