Programme Policy Officer NOB

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 the 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 provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

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

1. Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
2. Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
3. Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
4. Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes and activities.

Contribute to the to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

1. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
2. Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.
3. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials.
4. Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
5. Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM 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: At least three years of postgraduate professional experience in a related field.

Language: Fluency in Spanish and English.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

. Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.

. Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.

. Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position: Programme Policy Officer NOB

Unit: Programme

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Grade: NOB

Duty Station: Havana, Cuba

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