Social Protection Programme Assistant

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 nutrition. WFP's vision is to create a future workforce that is diverse, skilled, and high-performing, working in an inclusive environment that reflects its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded 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, as well as opportunities for internal mobility across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The Social Protection Programme Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of WFP's social protection and shock-responsive programs. This position involves providing day-to-day operational assistance to ensure that activities are delivered according to established plans and timelines. The assistant will work closely with government institutions and implementing partners to align WFP's Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) activities with national contingency plans and early warning systems, ensuring timely assistance during crises. The role requires participation in needs assessments and beneficiary targeting processes to design context-appropriate interventions, as well as operational support in the rollout of delivery mechanisms such as registration and cash-based transfers. The assistant will also contribute to the testing and refinement of standard operating procedures for delivering assistance through national systems during various shocks, and will be responsible for monitoring program quality and identifying operational bottlenecks through regular field visits. This position is integral to promoting joint programming approaches and ensuring coherence across WFP's various program streams.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Social Protection Programme Assistant include:

• Supporting the implementation of WFP’s social protection and shock-responsive programs by providing operational assistance.
• Aligning WFP’s SRSP activities with national contingency plans and early warning systems.
• Liaising with government institutions and implementing partners on planning and implementation of social protection activities.
• Participating in needs assessments and beneficiary targeting processes.
• Providing operational support in the rollout of delivery mechanisms, including registration and cash-based transfers.
• Assisting in the expansion of social protection programs in response to shocks.
• Contributing to the development of standard operating procedures for assistance delivery.
• Conducting field visits to monitor program quality and gather feedback.
• Collaborating with various units within WFP to ensure program coherence. 1
• Maintaining relationships with relevant ministries and development partners. 1
• Participating in national and sub-national coordination platforms related to social protection. 1
• Supporting government partners in understanding SRSP principles. 1
• Assisting in developing capacity development plans aligned with government priorities. 1
• Collaborating with the PMLE team for monitoring and evaluation of social protection activities. 1
• Ensuring timely and accurate collection and validation of program data. 1
• Contributing to the drafting of reports and maintaining records of program activities.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Social Protection Programme Assistant position include:

• Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Social Sciences, Disaster Risk Management, or other relevant fields; OR a First University degree with additional years of relevant experience.
• At least one year of relevant experience with an advanced University Degree; OR a First University Degree with a minimum of three years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development programming.
• Demonstrated experience working in partnership with government stakeholders in relevant technical fields.
• Excellent understanding of shock-responsive social protection and disaster risk management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build partnerships.
• Proven ability to work independently on technical matters with minimal supervision.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University degree in fields such as International Affairs, Economics, Social Sciences, Disaster Risk Management, or other relevant disciplines. Alternatively, a First University degree is acceptable if accompanied by additional years of relevant experience in the field.

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 relevant experience in humanitarian or development programming is necessary. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in working closely with government stakeholders and a solid understanding of shock-responsive social protection and disaster risk management.

Languages:
Fluent knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and Somali is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to qualified Somali national candidates only, with a strong encouragement for female candidates to apply. WFP provides female-friendly spaces in the workplace. The role is full-time and will involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government entities and other UN agencies. The organization emphasizes an inclusive work environment and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. WFP does not charge any fees during the application process, and candidates are advised to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate before submission.