Programme Policy Officer (Sustainable Food Systems)

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 security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's vision emphasizes the importance of a diverse, skilled, and high-performing workforce that operates in a healthy and inclusive environment, embodying the organization's core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably receiving 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. The organization encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background, promoting equal employment opportunities and diversity within its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (Sustainable Food Systems) will play a crucial role in overseeing and implementing sustainable food systems activities across five regions in Northern Ghana, including Upper East, Upper West, Savanna, Northeast, and Northern regions. This position requires a high degree of independence and the ability to manage junior staff effectively to achieve program and policy objectives. The officer will be responsible for coordinating the Smallholder Agriculture and Market Support (SAMS) program, engaging with stakeholders, and developing partnerships to enhance food systems program implementation. The role also involves facilitating capacity building for smallholder farmers and rural actors, promoting market linkages, and ensuring the active participation of women and youth in organized value chains. The officer will work closely with various government agencies and private sector partners to support the development of sustainable agricultural practices and innovative marketing solutions, ultimately contributing to the resilience and empowerment of local communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the implementation of WFP's Smallholder Agriculture and Market Support (SAMS) program across the five regions of Northern Ghana.
• Support the Food Systems Coordinator in managing and reporting on the Strengthening Food Systems to Empower Smallholder Farmers and Young People project.
• Engage with stakeholders to develop and maintain partnerships that enhance program implementation and monitoring.
• Liaise with regional departments of agriculture for effective project monitoring and reporting.
• Facilitate capacity strengthening for Smallholder Farmers (SHF), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and other rural actors to enhance their participation in structured markets.
• Collaborate with government agencies and private sector partners to facilitate national certifications for food-based organizations (FBOs) and promote digital marketing models.
• Ensure the inclusion of women and youth in organized value chains to foster job creation.
• Promote youth innovations that improve marketing efficiency for smallholder farmers.
• Support the implementation of Post-Harvest Management interventions among farmer-based organizations. 1
• Assist in building resilience among smallholder farmers through training and climate-smart agricultural initiatives. 1
• Provide technical support to strengthen food safety and quality management systems along the agricultural value chain. 1
• Collaborate with the Research Advocacy and Monitoring (RAM) team to develop monitoring and evaluation plans. 1
• Contribute to the development of routine reports and corporate requirements. 1
• Participate in resource mobilization activities to secure funding for food systems initiatives. 1
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in applied Agricultural sciences, Agricultural economics, Agribusiness, Development studies, or related fields. In-depth technical knowledge of sustainable food systems, e-commerce platforms, and agriculture and nutrition value chains is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong program coordination and project implementation skills, along with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in relevant fields such as applied Agricultural sciences, Agricultural economics, Agribusiness, or Development studies is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of sustainable food systems and agricultural practices.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of one year of postgraduate professional experience in managing programs related to sustainable food systems, agriculture, and nutrition value chains. This experience should demonstrate progressive responsibility and a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural sector.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Northern Ghana is considered an advantage, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The position is a one-year renewable contract at the National Officer Grade A level. The duty station is Tamale, Ghana. WFP encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals living with disabilities. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding fraud, sexual exploitation, and abuse, and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks. WFP does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates are advised to report any solicitation for payment.