Programme Policy Officer (Cooperating Partners Management)

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 as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for individuals recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization operates globally, with a workforce that is diverse, skilled, and high-performing, dedicated to the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, providing opportunities for career advancement across its numerous country, regional, and global offices.

Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (Cooperating Partners Management) position is based in Dakar, Senegal, and is integral to WFP’s mission of ensuring program quality and accountability through technical advisory services and operational support related to partnership management. The role involves providing field support to country offices across various regions, including West and Central Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, ensuring compliance with WFP corporate policies and operational feasibility in diverse contexts, including emergencies and protracted crises. The officer will work closely with regional hubs and headquarters technical units, providing guidance and support to enhance the effectiveness of partnerships and program implementation. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing challenges in partnership management and ensuring that programs are responsive to the realities on the ground.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Policy Officer include:

• Policy Translation and Technical Advisory Support: Interpreting and adapting WFP corporate policies related to NGO partnerships and program risk management, providing technical advice to country offices on complex partnership issues, and offering ongoing regional field support.
• Partnership Management and Assurance: Supporting country offices in planning and managing operational partnerships, ensuring compliance with assurance standards, and providing technical input on partnership-related documentation.
• Capacity Strengthening and Localization Support: Designing and implementing partner capacity strengthening initiatives, contributing to the development of tools and guidance materials, and promoting evidence-based approaches to capacity strengthening.
• Programme Quality, Evidence, and Risk-Informed Decision-Making: Supporting country offices in adopting risk-informed approaches and contributing to analytical products related to program quality and partnerships.
• Coordination and Representation: Acting as a technical focal point for partnership issues, participating in regional workshops, and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Team Support and Knowledge Management: Providing technical supervision and coaching to junior staff, documenting good practices, and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a Master’s degree in international affairs, business administration, social sciences, development studies, or a related field. Alternatively, an advanced university degree with an additional two years of relevant professional experience is acceptable. Candidates should have at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in development or humanitarian contexts, including two years in international field settings. Experience in integrating operational partnership considerations into design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation, engaging with cross-functional teams, and facilitating workshops is essential. A strong understanding of the social, cultural, and political contexts in the WACARO and LACRO regions is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as international affairs, business administration, social sciences, or development studies. An advanced university degree with additional professional experience may also be considered. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian and development work, particularly in the context of partnership management and program implementation.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of three years of post-graduate, progressively responsible professional experience in development or humanitarian contexts. This includes at least two years of experience in international field settings, demonstrating the ability to engage strategically with cross-functional teams and translate policy into operational practice. Experience in emergency settings is desirable, as is a proven track record in facilitating training and capacity strengthening initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French (level C) is required for this position, with strong verbal and written communication skills. A working knowledge of Spanish (level B or above) is advantageous, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the regions served by WFP.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal. It is a full-time role based in Dakar, Senegal, and may require frequent travel on short notice to various field locations. The WFP offers an attractive compensation package, which includes benefits and opportunities for professional development. The organization is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and supports individuals with disabilities by offering reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.