WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourage qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity, and disability.

JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer (Head of Kabul Area Office)
Grade: NOC
Type of contract: Fixed Term
Duration: 12 Months (Extendable)
Duty Station: Kabul
Vacancy Number: 831103
Date of Publication: 11 Jan 2024
Deadline of Application: 25 Jan 2024

This vacancy announcement is for Afghan nationals only and WFP encourages especially Afghan females and Afghans with disabilities to apply.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The hunger crisis in Afghanistan is unfolding at a rapid pace, with 15 million of population now facing acute food insecurity. Work opportunities are shrinking, with most households now reporting just one day of work per week. This comes on top of the worst drought in years, which is especially concerning for the 85 percent of the population who rely on agriculture for livelihoods.

Preventing and mitigating a drastic increase in hunger and malnutrition is the aim of WFP in Afghanistan which can only be achieved through the scaled up and sustained complementary food security and nutrition interventions, combined with a scale-up of resilience interventions to safeguard gains. WFP has embarked on a significant month-on-month scale-up of its crisis response and resilience programmes across the country, ensuring that the programme is delivered at the right scale and time, targeted to the right areas. WFP is also actively following up on evolving trends to pre-empt hotspots, while guaranteeing quality and maximum impact of the programme through the monitoring of these hotspots to be able to support continued donor advocacy.

JOB PURPOSE

To lead and manage a WFP Area Office to ensure the effective and efficient management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities. A large emphasis is placed upon building and maintaining relationships with local governments, UN agencies and other partners in the area to reinforce WFP’s visibility.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Manage and lead WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance programmes.
2. Hold accountability for the deployment of CO initiatives, policies and strategies.
3. Effectively manage the Area Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
4. Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives.
5. Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets in the Area Office to ensure that WFP security and safety standards are locally set and followed. Actively participate and contribute to the Area Security Management Team (ASMT).
6. Collaborate with governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully deployed at the local level and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of food assistance programmes, including advice on the context-specific transfer modalities (food, cash or vouchers).
7. Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems and conduct timely monitoring and evaluation activities.
8. Hold accountability and/or prepare accurate and comprehensive analysis and reports on WFP operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Area/Country Office review to identify programme support requirements and inform operational planning and decisions.
9. Forge and nurture external partnerships to improve assistance packages and support complementary strategies; identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives.
10. Develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, civil society, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security.
11. Engage with beneficiaries, inspect storage places and points where WFP commodities are received, in order to ensure compliance with WFP policies and that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives.
12. Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University degree with additional specialized training and additional two years of most related professional work experience.

Minimum Work Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of postgraduate professional experience in programme management and coordination.

Desirable Work Experience: 

• Has led a large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Has developed, or supported in the development of, multi-discipline work plans to support the achievement of strategic aims within a defined area.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.)
• Has managed  large financial budgets, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
• Led government/ partner negotiation in support of broad function or Country Office requirements.
• Substantial risk management experience as it relates to project implementation and the security situation in Afghanistan in co-ordination with security experts and local authorities

Language:

• Fluency (Level C) in English, Dari and Pashto.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. We want to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible. Please contact us at afg.hrrecruitment@wfp.org to advise us of any accessibility needs you may have.

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.