Programme Policy Officer (Field Coordination)

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 work tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people globally. WFP is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, recognizing its efforts in combating hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security.

Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (Field Coordination) position at WFP Malawi is crucial for the effective implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2024-202

• This role involves coordinating and overseeing the field implementation of various CSP activities aimed at ensuring nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security for vulnerable populations while building resilience through the transformation of food systems. The officer will work closely with district councils, cooperating partners, and country office activity managers to ensure that interventions are delivered in a timely, high-quality, and compliant manner. The position requires a proactive approach to managing field operations, ensuring that all activities are integrated and aligned with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The officer will also be responsible for translating country office plans into actionable district implementation plans, tracking progress, and providing feedback to inform program adjustments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Policy Officer (Field Coordination) will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Coordinating the day-to-day implementation of all CSP activities (Activities 1-5), ensuring that interventions are layered and sequenced effectively.
• Translating country office annual plans into district implementation plans with clear targets and timelines.
• Applying integrated context analysis and community-based participatory planning to guide design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design.
• Supervising and coaching field program staff, acting as a point of referral for operational queries.
• Overseeing crisis response and anticipatory action, including emergency responses to floods and cyclones.
• Supporting food assistance delivery to refugees and host communities, coordinating with relevant ministries and UN agencies.
• Managing the field delivery of nutrition programs and school meal initiatives.
• Engaging with district councils and stakeholders to strengthen local capacities for program implementation.
• Ensuring compliance with WFP standards and conducting performance reviews of cooperating partners. 1
• Monitoring and reporting on program activities, consolidating reports, and documenting lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a broad knowledge of food assistance programming, particularly in crisis response, nutrition, school feeding, and resilience. Strong planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple activities under pressure. The ideal candidate should have experience in leading and motivating field teams, as well as good analytical and report-writing skills. Familiarity with UN/WFP processes and systems is also beneficial. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to gender and disability inclusion, protection, and accountability in all field activities.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in International Development, Agriculture, Rural Development, Economics, Nutrition, Social Sciences, or a related field. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training may be considered. Candidates should have a solid academic foundation that supports their understanding of international development assistance and humanitarian programming.

Experience:
A minimum of three years of post-graduate, progressively responsible professional experience in field-based humanitarian or development program implementation is required. This experience should include coordination with district authorities and implementing partners, as well as leadership in multi-sectoral field programs. Candidates should have a proven track record in emergency response situations and experience supervising field teams.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the populations served by WFP.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 12 months, with the possibility of renewal. The role is based in Blantyre, Malawi, and requires extensive travel (approximately 50% of the time) to various field locations. Candidates should be prepared for deployment during emergencies and must demonstrate flexibility in their work arrangements. WFP offers an attractive compensation package and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment.