Programme Policy Officer

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

17 September :59-GMT+04:30 Afghanistan Time (Kabul)

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

The function of the FSAC Co-coordinator is to ensure a timely, coherent and effective food security response by mobilizing stakeholders to respond in a strategic manner to the humanitarian crisis. The Co-coordinator will operate in an Inter-Agency environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential. The Cluster Co-coordinator will represent the FSAC in coordination mechanisms and will advocate for mainstreaming the integration of crosscutting issues into the sector's work. He/she will work impartially with all members of the sector and its sub-components and will serve and represent the group as a whole, and not as an agency officer. He/She will work closely with the existing Co-coordinator to ensure all six cluster functions are successfully achieved.

JOB TITLE: Food Security and Agriculture Cluster Co-Coordinator

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Consultant

UNIT/DIVISION: Programme Policy

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Kabul, Afghanistan

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC) in Afghanistan was established in 2008 and is co-led by WFP and FAO with an NGO in a co-chair role. The FSAC has had a dedicated Cluster Coordinator since October 2010.

In February 2022, FAO and WFP reached a common understanding on the need to strengthen the coordination of food security and livelihood interventions in Afghanistan, across all regions, and agreed to establish an FSAC Co-coordination position based in Kabul. Both Co-coordinators maintain the primary responsibility for the overall coordination of the FSAC, whereas this newly created position will be supporting the development and implementation of the FSAC strategy as well as the planning and coordination of partners to find synergies and avoid duplication at field level.

The function of the FSAC Co-coordinator is to ensure a timely, coherent and effective food    security response by mobilizing stakeholders to respond in a strategic manner to the humanitarian crisis. The Co-coordinator will operate in an Inter-Agency environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential. The Cluster Co-coordinator will represent the FSAC in coordination mechanisms and will advocate for mainstreaming the integration of crosscutting issues into the sector's work. He/she will work impartially with all members of the sector and its sub-components and will serve and represent the group as a whole, and not as an agency officer. He/She will work closely with the existing Co-coordinator to ensure all six cluster functions are successfully achieved.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, Programmes & Operations, the Cluster Co-coordinator will perform the following roles and responsibilities.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Co-coordinator (WFP) will work alongside the Co-coordinator (FAO) on the facilitation and coordination of the work of the FSAC, actively supporting the achievement of the cluster tasks.

In line with the agreed FSAC functions based on the six IASC core functions, the Co-coordinator (WFP) will work together with the Co-coordinator (FAO) to ensure the coherence and consistency in the humanitarian food security response in Afghanistan. As such the Co-coordinator (WFP) will carry out the following functions:

i. To Support service delivery by

• Providing a platform that ensures service delivery is driven by the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan.
• Facilitating a timely, coherent effective and coordinated food security response by mobilizing

stakeholders in a strategic manner

• Enhancing coordination through the reinforcement of linkages and synergies between relevant food security actors as well as between humanitarian and development partners Ensuring that the FSAC covers all identified food security needs of the affected population.

ii. To inform the HC/HCT's strategic decision-making by

• Supporting the FSAC or inter-sector level food security needs assessments.
• Identifying and finding solutions for (emerging) gaps, obstacles, duplication and cross-cutting issues.

iii. To plan and implement the strategy by

• Coordinating, planning, and implementing the FSAC strategies, including contingency planning and preparedness
• Applying and adhering to common standards and guidelines.
• Providing transparent direction to the development of common funding criteria, resource mobilization and prioritization within the sector for inclusion in appeals and pooled funds processes.
• Providing oversight to 5W collection, collation, and dissemination of IM products to partners.
• Ensuring that food security is appropriately represented in the overall humanitarian response.

iv. To monitor and evaluate performance by

• Periodically assessing the performance of the FSAC through the utilization of the Cluster Performance Monitoring Tool and ensure that the information generated is then shared with partners for further learning and knowledge management.
• Ensuring that sector coordination mechanisms are adapted over time to reflect the capacities of local actors and the engagement of development partners.
• Ensure adequate reporting and effective information sharing, with due regard for age and sex disaggregation.

v. Build national capacity in preparedness and contingency planning.

• Drawing lessons learned from past activities and revising FSAC strategy accordingly and if appropriate.
• Serve as a forum devolving operational coordination and problem solving within the various Food Security coordination groups in the different regions.
• Ensuring adequate contingency planning and preparedness for new emergencies and seasonal adaptation of responses at partner level at sub-national level.

vi.Advocacy

• Identifying concerns that contribute to HC and HCT messaging and action.
• Undertaking advocacy on behalf of the sector, sector members, and affected people.
• Represent the FSAC in meetings with sectoral and external interlocutors.
• Co-chair sector meetings with the other FSAC Co-coordinator and NGO Co-chair.
• Secure from sector participants, minimum commitments on participation in activities.
• Initiate measures to ensure that Principles of Partnership are fully respected in managing coordination mechanisms.
• Perform any other duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

All six core functions of the cluster successfully delivered in line with the IASC guidelines as per the accountabilities above.

• Food Security needs analysis and response plan
• Regular Response and Monthly Dashboards, static and dynamic
• Food Security Sector workplan with key deliverables
• Contingency plans and SOPs
• Harmonised packages (e.g. MEB, food basket, livelihood response, etc.)
• Multi-sector joint planning with other clusters
• Food security sitrep, newsletters/bulletins (stand-alone and inter-sector)
• Knowledge Capitalization documents
• Advocacy notes and round table meetings minutes (with key actors such as donors, government)
• Handover report with shared folder with documents at the end of the assignment
• The food  security sector  is identified  as a  reference food security  security  strategy design, programming and food security information sharing.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Agriculture Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science or other field relevant to food security or international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses. Formal training in Cluster Coordination is desirable.

Experience:

Minimum of 8 years of relevant (international) professional experience in humanitarian response at mid-senior level including in the FSAC or relevant area.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to work and plan at strategic, policy and operational levels.
• Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including humanitarian principles, coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms (e.g. Humanitarian Programme Cycle - HPC, Central Emergency Response Fund and Flash Appeals, Pooled funds).
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context.
• Ability to express and summarise ideas orally and in writing in a diplomatic and inclusive manner.
• Ability to convene and organise workshops, meetings and to present outcomes in behalf of a group of stakeholders.
• Familiarity with food security concepts and frameworks, assessment and monitoring and evaluation tools and methodologies.

Personal qualities

• Results oriented.
• Enjoys working as part of a team.
• Has good communication skills.
• Builds/maintains effective relationships.
• Has a knowledge sharing mindset.
• Is cultural and gender aware and sensitive.

Languages:

Fluency in both oral and written communication in English.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: 

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

 

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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