Programme Policy Officer - Investment Component for Vulnerable Group Development (ICVGD), SC8, Dhaka

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest 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 this level, job holders are expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to various queries with only general guidance. There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen operational problems on a daily basis

BACKGROUND

The Bangladesh Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2017-2020 approved by the WFP Executive Board in its first session of 2017 became effective on 1 April 2017.  It aims to contribute to four Strategic Outcomes that are aligned to four Strategic Results of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for Development). A total of 11 Activities are planned  to be implemented to achieve the contributions to the four Strategic Outcomes.

Under the Integrated Road Map (IRM) WFP has committed to a new way of working, linking not only all activities to the defined Strategic Outcomes, but also linking the resources used for implementing the activities to the results achieved.

The four strategic outcomes are:

• SO1: Vulnerable groups in rural and urban settings are supported by enhanced national actions to improve their nutrition indicators in line with national targets by 2020;
• SO 2: The most vulnerable population of Cox’s Bazar, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and disaster-stricken areas have enhanced food security and nutrition;
• SO 3: Innovative approaches to enhance the resilience of food insecure households exposed to climate-related shocks and stresses are validated by 2020; and
• SO 4: The humanitarian response system for large-scale natural disasters in Bangladesh can respond with reduced cost and lead time.

To provide technical assistance to Department of Women Affairs and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, MoWCA and potential other ministries in related with ICVGD Programme policy and implementation

The Programme Policy Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme & Policy Officer (VGD) and overall supervision of the Head Programme Planning & Implementation Section.

He/she will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Lead WFP efforts to strengthen overall management/ implementation of the Government’s ICVGD programme through improving systems, guidelines, tools and staff capacities as well as providing support to policy and programme design;
• Programme & Policy Officer will contribute to, along with the Project Directors, working with relevant ministries to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of ICVGD programmes;
• Provide guidance and training on programme design, targeting, management, performance assessment, selection of NGO partners, and monitoring and evaluation of programme outcomes;
• Develop a work plan with DWA to improve its capacity at HQ and field level;
• Manage and develop productive working partnerships with government partners particularly the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and DWA – and NGOs
  involved in implementing the ICVGD programme;
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness and efficiency of ICVGD activities and assess Project Support Unit outcomes in improving government capacity to effectively manage the ICVGD programme;
• Provide technical assistance to field offices and NGOs as required;

• Manage capacity building activities (i.e. workshops and training sessions) and lead the design and conduct of training and technical assistance for relevant DWA officials in the areas identified in the work plan;
• Communicate regularly with Head of Programme Implementation Section and Head of Programmes on capacity building efforts, and share information with Country Office and Sub Office on any programme, logistics and administrative constraints;
• Coordinate with Private sector to establish social enterprise support to ICVGD beneficiaries.
• Coordinate and lead in preparing of concept note, guidelines and other documents required to operationalize the ICVGD programme  with inputs from relevant WFP colleagues;
• Ensure that the ICVGD includes appropriate measures to integrate nutrition Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) as well as mechanisms to advocate for protection and gender empowerment issues.
• Provide necessary guidance to ensure review and revision of training modules;
• Organise PIC and PSC meeting as per plan.
• Support in documentation and reporting, including dissemination of the evidence generated under the ICVGD with the relevant Government agencies;
• Provide guidance to designing and implementing evaluations and issue-based studies;

• Supervise other programme staff by providing training and technical guidance;
• Support gradual expansion of the ICVGD programme and transform into Vulnerable Women  Benefit Programme  by the Government
•  Perform other related duties as required.

Understanding on national targets in improving food security and nutrition for the poor and vulnerable, particularly for women and children;

• Knowledge of Government strategies aiming at achieving food security and nutrition targets;
• Familiar with key considerations of social protection and how to make social protection more nutrition sensitive;
• Possesses analytical skills, required to coordinate assessments/review and research; and
• Ability work with partners, civil societies and academia to advocate for change in programme design.

The incumbent will contribute to the achievement of results of CSP Activity 1, i.e. Technical Assistance and advocacy to enhance the food security and nutrition impact of selected safety nets:

Education: University degree and/or equivalent with Social Science, Statistics, Economics, and Masters in Business Administration, Development Studies or any related field

Language: Excellent written and oral/communications skills in both English and Bangla

Knowledge & Skills:

Interpersonal skills, analytical skill, consistency in follow-up, ability to work with diverse teams, capability to provide advice and independent ability to facilitate coordinated planning and subsequent follow-up on implementation and reporting, ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to work in team, flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description.

EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• 5 years’ progressively responsible experience, job related experience in design and implementation development projects implemented by national/international NGOs/UN bodies/ Government
• Proficient in Government of Bangladesh policies related to Social Safety Nets, Social Welfare, Food Security, Nutrition etc.
• Substantial experience in and commitment to evidence-based policy advocacy.
• Demonstrated skills building and maintaining relationships with governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• Track record of commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative   initiatives, and sharing credit

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
•  Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
•  Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

• • Developed and managed productive working partnership with Government;
  • Negotiated Government commitment of timely resources allocation
  • Contributed to strengthen nutrition sensitive safety nets of relevant ministries;
  • Supported establishment of Vulnerable Women  Benefit Policy by the MoWCA;
  • Prepared capacity strengthening plan for GoB and cooperating partners;
  • Written reports and submitted them as per deadline; and
  • Supported undertaking necessary assessment/review/research, along with dissemination of the findings.

Type of contract: Service Contract

Duration of contract:  12 months (with possibility of extension)

Level of function: SC-8

Location: Dhaka

Nationality: Bangladeshi only

Monthly Net Salary: BDT. 188,945

30 September 2019

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.