Programme Policy Officer (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 a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact 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 is recognized for its efforts in providing food assistance and is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, reflecting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts globally. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce, ensuring that all employees are treated equally and fairly, regardless of their background or identity. WFP also invests in the professional development of its employees, offering various training and mentorship programs to enhance their skills and career growth.

Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems) position at WFP Somalia is crucial for implementing the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2022-2025, which focuses on resilience building and sustainable food systems. The role involves providing technical and operational support for planning, implementing, and coordinating food systems and resilience activities, particularly in the Galmudug region. The incumbent will work closely with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, UN agencies, and NGOs, to ensure that interventions are effectively integrated and address the needs of vulnerable communities. The position requires a strong understanding of the local context and the ability to apply program guidelines to deliver impactful results. The officer will also contribute to the development of technical papers and guidelines, ensuring that WFP's initiatives align with national strategies and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems) include:

• Contributing to the implementation of WFP Somalia’s CSP 2022-2025 and ensuring alignment with national strategies on economic development and social protection.
• Analyzing technical and policy documents related to food systems and translating findings into actionable strategies for WFP.
• Providing technical and supervisory support for the effective implementation of food systems and resilience activities, particularly those involving smallholder farmers and cooperatives.
• Collaborating with technical units and partners to translate food systems initiatives into field activities.
• Supporting program development and project design, contributing to resource mobilization efforts for CSP activities.
• Developing and reviewing technical papers, guidelines, and information materials related to food systems and climate change.
• Coordinating with government ministries, UN agencies, and private sector partners to strengthen collaboration.
• Supervising cooperating partners and monitoring progress to ensure timely delivery of outputs.
• Assessing capacity building needs and developing training materials for partners and beneficiaries. 1
• Supporting monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management of food systems projects, ensuring accurate reporting and documentation. 1
• Participating in meetings and field visits to strengthen partnerships and program delivery. 1
• Providing technical assistance to ensure that food systems programs are nutrition-sensitive and climate-resilient. 1
• Reviewing and verifying reports for accuracy and consistency of data presented to stakeholders. 1
• Performing other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• Advanced University Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Environment and Climate Change, Rural Development, or a related field. Alternatively, a First University Degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Knowledge of UN policies, rules, and procedures is considered an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in Windows and MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Environment and Climate Change, or Rural Development. Alternatively, a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training may be acceptable. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the implementation of food systems and resilience activities.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience for candidates with an Advanced University Degree. For those with a First University Degree, a minimum of three years of experience in program implementation is required. Experience should preferably be in areas related to agriculture value chains, food systems, or resilience programming, including monitoring technical activities related to irrigation, production, post-harvest management, and market access with smallholder farmers or other relevant fields.

Languages:
Fluent knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and Somali is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to qualified Somali national candidates only, and female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. WFP Somalia promotes female-friendly spaces in the workplace. The role is full-time and involves working in a multicultural environment. The organization offers an attractive compensation package, which can be found in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.