Programme Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing a diverse workforce dedicated to its mission. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts globally. The organization emphasizes a healthy and inclusive work environment, living by its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, offering opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The primary purpose of the Programme Officer position is to provide strategic, technical, and operational support to policy and program initiatives that contribute to the Government of Burundi’s efforts towards resilient and sustainable food systems transformation. The incumbent will report directly to the Head of Emergency and Livelihoods Unit and will work under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director/Head of Programme, with overall guidance from the Country Director. This role involves leading WFP Burundi’s livelihoods and resilience programs, particularly focusing on Asset Creation and Livelihoods (ACL), Smallholder Market Support (SMS), and nutrition-sensitive value chains, including food fortification activities. The Programme Officer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and scaling up integrated resilience programs that align with national priorities and WFP strategic frameworks. The position also requires supporting government-led coordination and policy dialogue on food systems transformation, contributing to resource mobilization efforts, and providing technical leadership on food systems-related programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership for WFP Burundi’s livelihoods and resilience programs, ensuring alignment with national priorities and WFP strategic frameworks.
• Leading the design, implementation, and scaling up of integrated resilience programs.
• Supporting government-led coordination and policy dialogue on food systems transformation.
• Contributing to resource mobilization by developing high-quality project proposals.
• Providing technical leadership and advisory support to Country Office teams on food systems-related programming.
• Strengthening resilience programming through the application of WFP’s Three-Pronged Approach (3PA).
• Leading inter-programme coordination to design and implement integrated multisectoral approaches with partners.
• Ensuring strong knowledge management, monitoring, and learning throughout the project cycle.
• Developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, and other relevant actors. 1
• Providing managerial oversight and capacity development for staff within the portfolio. 1
• Ensuring efficient use of financial resources and compliance with WFP policies and procedures. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree in International Affairs, Economics, Agriculture, Nutrition/Health, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or another field relevant to international development. Additional years of relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates should possess strong analytical, coordination, and strategic thinking skills, along with proven experience in supervising and managing multidisciplinary teams. Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, are essential, as well as sound judgment, initiative, and strong negotiation and partnership-building skills. Proficiency in Windows and MS Office applications is required, and experience with GIS and publication software is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as International Affairs, Economics, Agriculture, Nutrition/Health, Environmental Science, or Social Sciences. In cases where candidates have extensive relevant professional experience, this may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree requirement.

Experience:
The position requires at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the design and implementation of livelihoods, resilience, and food systems programs. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering quality outputs in a timely manner. Experience in working under challenging field conditions and flexibility to undertake duties beyond standard office settings is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration in a multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is a contract for 11 months at CST Level II. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process. WFP emphasizes an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment.