Programme Policy Officer (Livelihoods, Agribusiness and Market linkage)

" Qualified FEMALES are preferred and encouraged to apply. "

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.

Job holder will work under the supervision of Strategic Outcome Manager (SO 3), receiving guidance and regular feedback from Head of Programme and senior management on work performed. The incumbent will work in coordination with Programme Policy Officers in Country Office, Sub-Offices staff and Field Coordinators (Programme Associates) involved in livelihoods, resilience, climate change adaptation, agribusiness, rural finance and market linkage related interventions.

To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet WFP Nepal Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2019-2023 operation needs.

Background:

WFP Nepal’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2019-2023 has been approved by the WFP Executive Board in its session of November 2019 and it has become effective from 1 January 2019. It aims to contribute to five Strategic Outcomes (SOs) that are aligned to five Strategic Results of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for Development). A total of eight Activities are planned to be implemented to achieve the contributions to the five SOs.

The five Strategic Outcomes (SO) are:

• SO 1: affected populations in Nepal have timely access to adequate food and nutrition during and in the aftermath of natural disasters and/or other shocks.
• SO 2: Food Insecure people in targeted areas have improved nutrition throughout the key stages of the life-cycle by 2025.
• SO 3: Vulnerable communities in remote, food-insecure areas of Nepal have improved food security and resilience to climate and other shocks by 2030.
• SO 4: The Government of Nepal has strengthened capabilities to provide essential food security services and respond to crises by 2023.
• SO 5: Government efforts towards achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 are supported by inclusive and coherent policy frameworks across all spheres of government by 2023.

The Programme Policy Officer (Livelihoods, Agribusiness and Market linkage) will be directly supervised by the Strategic Outcome Manager (SO 3). S/he will ensure that WFP ongoing and upcoming programme/projects activities under CSP (2019-2023) contributing to resilient livelihoods, sustainable and market linkage of smallholder farmers are implemented effective and efficiently by achieving planned outcomes/outcomes against approved annual perfromance and work plan are in consistent with corporate WFP policies and strategies. The key responsiblities include:

1. Contribute to the implementation of th WFP policies and programmes aligned with national goals and WFP and wider UNN strategic direction.

2. Analyze technical and policy issues, strategies and programme related to agribusiness, food systems and value chain develpment and provide appropriate suggestion to programme team.

3. Provide technical guidance for field staff, cooperating partners and communities on all aspects of business planning and implementation of micro and small enterprises e.g., business plan preparation, business model appraisal, business planning and implementation process (ensuring full integration, use and update of the business plans by rural micro and small entrepreneurs (MSE/groups), rural MSE linkages, business and market services and financial inclusion.

4. Support in developing and reviewing information materials, technical papers and guidelines related to agricultural economics, agribusiness, value chain and food system development, rural financing/financial inclusion, market and policy analysis, business enabling environment, inclusive business models, entrepreneurship; digital solutions/technologies for value chain development, marketing and market linkages, market information system, value chain finance, business support services; public-private platforms and partnerships etc.

5. Contribute to the appraisal of capacity building needs of partners and beneficiaries related to the agribusiness, value chain development and market linkage; and contribute to developing training materials and to training courses and activities.

6. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and government on agribusiness, market linkage, rural financial inclusion and value-chain development and facilitating equitable access to women, marginalized and smallholder farmers.

7. Contribute to the design and implementation of programmes and projects related to agribusiness, value chain development, agricultural economics, and agricultural and rural development; as required by Country Office, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance, CSP 2019-2023 and SDG targets.

8. Contribute to the collection and dissemination of relevant data and information related to agricultural and development economics, agribusiness, food value chains and systems, including for example, trends and developments, approaches, impacts, lessons and good practices;

9. Coordinate and establish operational partnership with Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), FNCCI – Agro Enterprise Centre, Chamber of Commerce, and other like-minded public and private sector organizations and pursue linkages and cooperation with other relevant value chain development donor partners, projects and programmes.

10. Facilitate market-driven linkages between relevant government agencies, agribusiness producers, consolidators, processors, exporters and other market actors to ensure WFP’s effective partnerships and collaborations on agri-business and investment opportunities.

11. Support the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework of the project specifically as it relates to agribusiness, value chain development and marketing.

12. Contribute to the organization of and/or participate in meetings, conferences, workshops, consultations and field visits as needed; contribute to building collaborations and partnerships;

13. Support in result-based management of relevant CSP activities including accurate and timely results reporting and knowledge management. 

14. Collaborate with other functional units and staff responsible for other WFP activities to deliver value for money services and maintain cost-efficiency.

15. Perform other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor/required by country office.

Education: Advanced university degree (Masters) in a relevant discipline:  agricultural economics, economics, agribusiness, business, or related field, or First University Degree with more than seven years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language: Excellent oral and written proficiency in English and Nepali.

 

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.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Must be familiar with MS office;
• Nepali Typing skill is an asset;
• Driving skills with valid license is an advantage.

• Three to five years of work experience in agriculture value chain, market linkage, marketing, agribusiness, agricultural economics, food systems, and/or digital technologies for value chain development and relevant programme design/planning and implementation;     
• Sound understanding of agricultural, agribusiness and market related policies, and systems of Nepal;
• Has experience in the design and/or implementation of development/humanitarian programmes;
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions;
• Has experience in liaising with government partners, has good negotiation skills and ability to communicate effectively;
• Ability to write clear and concise technical documents
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to perform well in cross-disciplinary teams
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures in the area of work is an advantage.

Thursday, 21 November 2019

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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.