Programme Policy Officer NOC (Head of Programme)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access nutritious food they need.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has worked alongside the Cuban government, since 1963, to reinforce long-standing social protection programs that provide free, universal access to basic services. These efforts have led to 1.3 million direct beneficiaries by 2024. The country's operational landscape is marked by significant food security and nutrition challenges, and in this context, WFP works to address prioritized humanitarian needs amid growing needs and resource constraints by providing nutrition-sensitive food assistance before, during, and after shocks.

WFP enhances the capacity of the social protection system and facilitates the delivery of nutritious food and nutrient supplements. WFP also strengthens local food systems and links them with social protection program institutions. WFP has a strong field presence with monitors operating in six provinces: Las Tunas, Granma, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, and Villa Clara (which recently opened).

JOB PURPOSE

To design and manage programmes of moderate size or complexity that effectively meet food assistance needs, or contribute to policy formulation and/or provide technical advice or oversight on programme strategy and implementation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

1. Contribute to formulation of WFP-wide programme policies in line with both organisational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field; or translate programme policy into Regional/Country level practices. Developing programme guidance and implementation modalities and operations, to ensure a clear and strong connection between HQ and field operations.
2. Provide advice and support to COs on moderately complex issues to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, Executive Board decisions, and other relevant guidance.
3. Provide technical advice or mobilise technical expertise on programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, transfer modalities and appropriate food products, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies to support government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
4. Assist counterparts in governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully employed and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of moderately complex food assistance programmes to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes at national and sub-national levels.
5. Establish and maintain operational partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work.
6. Enhance WFP’s leadership status in forums relating to area of specialism, for example food security, nutrition, livelihoods, resilience or engagement in humanitarian, transition and development contexts through direct participation, briefings, information products and other materials.
7. Manage operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance.
8. Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
9. Contribute to resources mobilisations efforts for WFP projects, including clearly articulating the need for food assistance and related programme opportunities, and follow up on the resource situation of projects including commodity and cash availability, seeking advice from senior colleagues where necessary.
10. Advice and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partner to design and deliver effective food assistance programmes.
11. Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff to enable high performance.
12. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set objectives within a moderate budget.
13. Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs.
14. Other as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Responsible for overall programme management, which includes implementation and monitoring of programmes and activities in the country.
2. Assist Regional and Country Directors and Programme Advisers in all matters related to the delivery of WFP emergency assistance and bring to the attention of appropriate regional/country staff any administrative constraints arising from rapidly evolving emergency situations in the field.
3. Supervise other programme staff; provide training and technical guidance in their work.
4. Assume OIC role in absence of the Country Director.

STANDARD MINIMUN QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: Five or more years of postgraduate professional experience in a related field.

Language: Fluency in Spanish and English.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

. Has experience working across the Program cycle.

. Has led large multisectoral teams or a component of a country office programme portfolio.

. Has engaged in policy discussions and provided input into policy decisions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position: Programme Policy Officer NOC (Head of Pogramme)

Unit: Programme

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Grade: NOC

Duty Station: Havana, Cuba

Duration of the Contract: 12 months with the possibility of extension, based on organizational requirements.

Please apply in the following link: Job Openings at WFP