Programme Policy Officer – Social Behavior Change (SBC) SO2

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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.

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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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Lao PDR is characterized by high levels of stunting (33%), wasting (10.7%) and micronutrient deficiencies in children and women of reproductive age. Overweight and obesity have significantly increased in the past decade, echoing global and regional trends, and is a growing concern particularly among adult women. Thus, Laos can be characterized as experiencing the triple burden of malnutrition.

Since January 2022, WFP has been implementing a Country Strategic Plan 2022-2026 which is formulated around the achievement of four strategic outcomes:

• Strategic Outcome 1 (SO1), School Feeding
• Strategic Outcome 2 (SO2) Nutrition
• Strategic Outcome 3 (SO3), Resilience and
• Strategic Outcome 4 (SO4), Emergency Response.

WFP aims to contribute to behavioural change across all these SOs, including the promotion of raising and utilizing diverse, nutritious foods; improving maternal, infant, and young child feeding practices; promoting healthy diets; and enhancing communities’ ownership of initiatives such as school feeding or resilience projects. Overall, WFP aims to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable people throughout their life cycle, as well as increase their resilience to seasonal and long-term shocks and stresses.

WFP is implementing several projects with a significant SBC component, funded by various donors, and implemented jointly with government structures, particularly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES.)

WFP has expanded its SBC portfolio of activities, to include strategies and policies that address access and affordability issues, along with more traditional communication campaigns and interventions including education, interpersonal communication, community mobilization, events, mass and social media to reach the right target groups with the right message through the right channel at the right time.

THE ROLE

This position is based in Vientiane and will work under the direct supervision of the International Consultant Social Behaviour Change Specialist .

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer – Social Behavior Change (SBC) (SO2)

Grade: NOA

Type of contract: Fixed Term Contract
Duration: 12 months (possible extension)
Duty Station: Vientiane, Laos

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The PPO will liaise closely with WFP CO Management, SO2 team and technical staff in other SOs.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Provide specialized expertise and contribute towards the development of “state of the art” SBC strategy, activities, plans and processes, that centre the lives of beneficiaries, families, and communities, to support achievement of all SO objectives.

• Support generation and utilization of behavioural research data (qualitative and quantitative) and evidence to inform program design, quality improvement, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. This includes drafting of research TORs, plans and protocols, supporting data collection, data analysis and report writing.

• Make significant contributions to the development of SBC strategy, plans and interventions grounded in theory and research and that go beyond provision of knowledge to address social, contextual, psychological, and other motivational factors influencing behaviour. Draft and review messages, materials and training curricula to ensure they align to prioritized messages and to behavioural objectives.

• Work closely with SO personnel and WFP’s procurement department, to support the tendering and contracting process for external creative, technical or implementing partners including drafting TORs and specifications and serving on review committees. Manage day-to-day relationships with contractors including providing timely feedback, quality control, coordination of activities and ensuring compliance with all WFP policies and procedures.

• Under the supervision of the International SBC Specialist, provide specialized SBC support to SO teams, field offices, and supporting units within WFP, to ensure all activities are performed in an efficient and well-coordinated manner, following WFP’s policies, guidelines, and procedures and in accordance to agreed standards and deadlines.

• Foster external relationships and partnership-building with local partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and government institutions to support high quality SBC programming. Draft presentations or materials on WFP’s SBC approach and contribute to resource mobilization efforts.

• Strengthen the capacity of WFP colleagues, cooperating partners, and national government on SBC theory and best practices, including providing SBC-related advice, guidance, and training.

• Attend meetings with the UN and other multilateral bodies and NGOs, sharing information and inputs from WFP to ensure that WFP’s SBC work is properly understood and considered in decision making to support the achievement of outcomes.

• Engage with HQ, RBB and other country office teams to ensure existing SBC activities involve state of the art programming at all stages, including design, implementation and monitoring of interventions and to share lessons from the CO’s SBC activities.

• Document the learning of SBC programme implementation, facilitate internal and external discussions on findings and recommendations, and proactively lead actions for programme improvements.

• Support other duties as required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced University degree in Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Communication or Journalism, Social Sciences, International Affairs, Economics or MBA or other field relevant to international development, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

• At least six (6) year experience working with development sector, health and nutrition programming, rural development, or private sector and marketing. Or three (3) year experience in the sectors described and a master’s degree.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED: 

• Experience implementing nutrition specific and/or nutrition sensitive programmes, with particular focus on behaviour change and use of Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategies.

• Proven track record delivering SBC programs or marketing campaigns including both community level interpersonal communication activities and mass media, focused on nutrition and agriculture.

• Strong inter and intrapersonal communication skills.

• Good analytical, facilitation, negotiation skills.

• Ability to work in a team, establish effective working relations with persons of different cultural backgrounds.

• Experience in working with Government counterparts and familiar with public administration.

• Experience in policy consultations and development and/or project management.

• Competent understanding of both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive operations in Lao PDR with a broad knowledge of best practices, guidelines, techniques, and processes.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, persuade, influence adapt communication styles to different situations and individuals.

• Gained experience in providing input into designing SBC projects and operations.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability, and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing, and ability to tactfully negotiate.

• Understanding of WFP’s operations in Lao PDR preferred.

LANGUAGE:

Fluent working knowledge (Written and Verbal) of Lao and English language (Level C) is essential.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

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 global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org 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.

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.