Programme Policy Officer

ORGANIZATONAL CONTEXT

This role will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka Country Office and job holders report to the Deputy Country Director/ Head of Programmes. Job holders operate with a high degree of independence, manage staff on professional level to ensure that programme and policy objectives are achieved in full. They are usually involved in a wide variety of programme and policy activities and analytical work, some of which may be of a considerable complexity. At this level job holders are expected to contribute to performance improvement.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) leads the Resilient Food Systems (RFS) team for food and nutrition security under Strategic Objective 3 of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) “communities in Sri Lanka have strengthened resilience and reduced vulnerability to natural hazards, climate change and other risks with improved sustainability of livelihoods. The PPO will also substantially contribute to Strategic Outcome 4 “national and subnational institutions and stakeholders in Sri Lanka have enhanced capacity to enable adaptive and resilient food systems to improve food security and nutrition.” S/he will provide strategic, design and implementation guidance of WFP’s food initiatives related to resilience building, including Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Anticipatory Action, Energy, Adaptive and Shock Responsive Social Protection, Emergency Preparedness and Response reaching vulnerable communities. The PPO will closely coordinate and complement the efforts of a peer Programme Policy Officers to design and implement nutrition, gender responsive and inclusive programmes. The PPO will work closely with the management team in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the CSP.

The PPO will engage closely with the Partnership Secretariat for WFP Cooperation and will work extensively with a wide range of technical departments, civil society, and private sector entities at national and subnational levels to advance CSP activities. Oversee the operations in Colombo and in the field requiring some amount of travel. In case of activation of any emergency response activity under the CSP Strategic Outcome 1, whose overall management responsibility will remain with the Deputy Country Director, the Programme Policy Officer will be responsible to support related activities coordinating the Country Office Emergency Preparedness and Response team.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

Working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director/Head of Programme, the Programme Policy Officer (NOB) will be responsible for the following duties within delegated authority (but not limited to):

• Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, including resource mobilization ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
• Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
• Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
• Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes and activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
• Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food security.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials.
• Guide and supervise junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
• Be accountable for budget management for strategic objectives and associated activities.
• Contribute to donor engagement, proposal development and advocacy efforts of the CSP.
• Strengthen partnerships with WFP’s main counterpart in the government (PSWFPC) through regular engagement, reporting, joint field visits.
• Support implementation of crisis response cash and in-kind assistance in support of the government.
• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Education: Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Desired experience for entry into the role:

• Minimum seven years of experience in similar capacity with a first university degree, or minimum three years of experience in similar capacity after completing advanced university degree is needed.
• Has technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.
• Has experience working with government entities
• Language: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language. National Professional: Fluency (level C) in Sinhala/Tamil desirable

Source: https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/wfp/job_openings/job/Colombo-Sri-Lanka-DemSocRep-Of/Programme-Policy-Officer-NOB_JR106303