Social Protection Programme Policy Officer (NOC)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision is to create a diverse, skilled, and high-performing workforce that operates in a healthy and inclusive work environment, embodying values such as Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to invest in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs.

Job Overview:
The Social Protection Programme Policy Officer will play a crucial role in managing WFP's social protection programs in Syria. This position is pivotal in advancing WFP's social protection strategy, which aims to transition from humanitarian assistance to a nationally led social protection framework. The officer will engage in policy dialogue with the interim government, design and scale-up transitional safety nets, and provide technical assistance to national systems. The role requires a deep understanding of social protection systems and the ability to integrate school feeding and nutrition into broader human capital investments. The officer will act as the focal point for social protection within the country office, ensuring effective communication and collaboration between field operations, the Regional Bureau, and headquarters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the country office social protection focal point, ensuring effective communication between field operations, Regional Bureau, and HQ.
• Translate corporate and regional policies into country-level practices.
• Contribute to the formulation of the Country Strategic Plan in alignment with WFP's corporate policies and strategies.
• Support the development and implementation of WFP's social protection strategy in Syria, aligning with government priorities.
• Assist government counterparts in identifying and analyzing policy problems, providing technical expertise for social protection solutions.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships for collaborative approaches to improve social protection.
• Oversee the implementation and scale-up of transitional safety nets.
• Provide technical oversight to cash-based transfer initiatives.
• Drive innovation in social protection, including pilots on adaptive safety nets and social registry development. 1
• Manage operational research and evidence building on social protection issues. 1
• Prepare and disseminate analytical reports and knowledge products. 1
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with donors and government counterparts. 1
• Contribute to proposal development and resource mobilization strategies. 1
• Design learning initiatives to enhance capacity in social protection policy dialogues and program delivery.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, or related fields, or a First University Degree with additional relevant work experience.
• 5 or more years of professional experience in social protection, preferably related to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition.
• Experience across the policy cycle and various program types relevant to social protection, such as cash-transfer programs and school feeding.
• Understanding of Agenda 2030 and how WFP contributes to achieving its targets.
• Knowledge of WFP's mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, and program lifecycle tools.
• Familiarity with current developments in social protection and public policy.
• Ability to supervise and empower staff, develop relationships with stakeholders, and analyze information to identify social protection needs.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University degree in relevant fields such as Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, or similar disciplines. Alternatively, a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training may be accepted.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience relevant to social protection, with a preference for candidates who have contributed to food security and nutrition objectives. Experience should include working across the policy cycle and various program types relevant to social protection, such as cash-transfer programs, school feeding, and public works initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in the local language (Arabic) is also required if different from English. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in both languages, particularly in written formats.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified at the NOC level and is a full-time role. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be provided in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, or disability. The recruitment process will include rigorous reference and background checks.