Programme Policy Officer (Social Protection) SC10, Maputo

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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.

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply

ABOUT WFP

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Mozambique, with an estimated population of 25.8 million people, is classified as a low-income, food-deficit country, ranked 180 out of 188 countries on the Human Development Index. Mozambique is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world; while the southern and central regions regularly experience droughts, floods occur every two to three years along the major river basins and in poorly drained urban settlements. The regularity of these events perpetuate a cycle of vulnerability and emphasize the need for adequate disaster preparedness, prevention and management. Two decades ago, Mozambique was one of the most impoverished and capacity-constrained country in the world. Over the past decade, Mozambique, has ranked amongst the top ten fastest growing economies in the world, however strong and steady economic growth has not been translated into a proportionate reduction of poverty. 

JOB PURPOSE

The overall objective of WFP in Mozambique is to support the government in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2 – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture). Based on national development priorities, WFP Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2017-2021 aims to support long-term recovery and resilience and contribute to addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in Mozambique. In line with its corporate strategy, WFP Mozambique strives to meet the needs of the beneficiaries it serves with the most effective support, be it in-kind food, cash, vouchers or a combination of all three.

WFP is supporting the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action (MGCAS) in operationalizing the National Strategy for Basic Social Security (ENSSB II) 2016-2024. In a context of high vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, WFP support is focused on strengthening government capacities to improve access to social protection (SP) for the population affected by natural shocks. Thanks to its experience both in SP and humanitarian assistance, WFP is well placed to support MGCAS and the National Institute of Social Action (INAS) in making SP programmes more shock-responsive and foster harmonization between MGCAS and the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD). 

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:    Advanced University degree in Political Science, Economics, Statistics, Social Sciences or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Experience:    5 years or more of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field of work, with a background and interest in international humanitarian development, with working knowledge on Social Protection/Social Assistance.
Previous work experience in a Ministry or government agency is ideal. 
Languages:    Fluency (level C) in English & Portuguese 

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

•    Sound experience in project management in a related field. 
•    Experience in project implementation and coordination among several teams. 
•    Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyse and interpret information and draw out the key messages. 
•    Strong oral and written communication skills, able to clearly articulate insights to stakeholders in WFP. 
•    Good networking skills and capacity to build and maintain professional contacts
•    Leadership skills and excellent inter personal skill. Ability to lead and motivate. 
•    In-depth understanding of WFP program, objectives and strategic priorities. 
•    Willingness to travel extensively to the field
•    Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the guidance of the Representative and Country Director WFP Country Office, and under the direct supervision of the Activity Manager for Social Protection, the incumbent will perform the following tasks: 

• Contribute to WFP support to the GoM towards the strengthening of Social Protection systems and programmes to make them more responsive to natural shocks and adaptive to climate change risks;
• Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of WFP’s Social Protection related programmes in line with global WFP guidance as well as with GoM ENSSB II;
• Provide technical advice or mobilise technical expertise on programme and policy issues relevant to capacity strengthening of the social protection sector, including shock responsive social protection and its relevant partners; 
• Build, coordinate and maintain a strong professional relationship with all relevant government institutions, including MGCAS, INAS, INGD, SETSAN, MASA, MITADER;
• Represent WFP in relevant coordination platforms, including the Social Action Working Group, the Social Protection Development Partners Group, the Technical Council for Disaster Management, as needed; 
• Help fostering synergies between Social Protection and other WFP programmatic areas, especially with Nutrition;
• Liaise with WFP sub-offices where social protection activities are implemented, follow-up on reporting requirements, relationship with INAS Delegations, DPGCAS and SDSMAS;
• Keep abreast with Social Protection related research, studies, lesson learned and best practices, disseminate relevant information and support application of knowledge and sustainable innovation in the field;
• Facilitate the recruitment and development of individuals to the activity 2/SP team and manage their performance; 
• Engage in resource mobilization efforts for activity 2/SP (e.g. scanning for opportunities, preparing proposals, raising funds, etc.); 
• Perform other related duties as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
•  Be a force for positive change: Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
•  Focus on getting results: Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
•  Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning
•  Build strong external partnerships: Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships 
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

This section is optional to describe other duties, skills & knowledge required for the specific job.

me strategy and implementation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Social Protection) SC10

Contract Type:  Service Contract

Contract Duration:  12 Months with a possibility of renewal

Duty Station:  Maputo

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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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.