Latest Jobs at World Food Programme (WFP)

JOB PURPOSE:

To support with design, management and coordination of programmes and interventions in the areas of sustainable food systems, food & nutrition security and smallholder farmers agricultural market support and the development of resilient agri-food supply chain management systems that are aligned with and contribute to the Government’s development efforts and priorities in achieving the Zero Hunger Agenda.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director and overall supervision of the Country Director, the Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems) will be responsible for the following duties.

• Lead resource mobilization efforts through the design of sound technical proposals and concepts, including identifying possible funding opportunities in Sustainable Food Systems, Agriculture Market Access for smallholder farmers, nutrition-focused agricultural value chains, writing project proposals. and developing efficient food supply chains management systems in line with WFP’s goals and objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and or mobilize technical expertise on programme and policy issues related to Sustainable Food Systems and Smallholder Farmers Agriculture Market support, including assessments and analysis, the design and implementation of programme activities, the testing of innovative approaches and the development of interventions in the core competencies areas of WFP to support Government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
• Lead efforts to enhance strategic and operational Partnerships with Government Agencies, Private Sector entities, UN, Civil Society and Academia relevant to the implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) activities under the Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Outcome and ensure that WFP’s comparative advantage and complementarity are clearly communicated, understood, and valued in the support to the GoG.
• Enhance WFP’s leadership status in forums relating Sustainable Food Systems, Food Security and Nutrition, Smallholder farmers agriculture market support, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
• Coordinate the drafting of communication materials and quality reporting for internal as well as external audiences, including Donor reports, for all activities under the Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Outcome in the CSP.
• Represent WFP in relevant UN forums as appropriate and strengthen partnership with relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the development of detailed Annual Activity Plans in alignment with available Budget and oversee their implementation; manage, monitor, and report on activity budgets and expenditures.
• Contribute to the design and oversight of the implementation of WFP Ghana’s Post-Harvest Management Interventions (PHMI) to best support vulnerable households, smallholder farmers, aggregators, and Government warehousing schemes. Under this component, manage the implementation of WFP-sponsored projects that promote Best Post-Harvest Management practices, including promotion of sound warehousing, storage, and other appropriate technologies to curb post-harvest losses; coordinate efforts to assess Ghana’s Post-harvest infrastructure and services and build a case for the competitiveness of Ghana’s grain (including whole grain) industry, among other agricultural value chains.
• Lead the design and oversight of the implementation of WFP Ghana’s Agricultural Market Development Initiatives (AMDI) to best support smallholder and medium scale farmers to access markets through direct group selling or participation in structured training platforms such Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) and its associated Warehouse Receipt System (WRS).
• Lead the design and oversight of the implementation of WFP Ghana’s Agri-Food Supply Chains Initiatives (FSCI) to best support and strengthen the capacity of the Government warehousing and Storage schemes, including the food logistics management by National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
• Lead the design and oversight of the implementation of WFP Ghana’s Nutrition & Safety-Sensitive Agro-Food Value Chains (NSAFVC) to best support local industrial, medium-scale, and community level food processors as well as strengthening the capacity of public standards and regulatory agencies such as Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
• Research and connect WFP-supported public and private partners, including smallholder farmers, aggregators, warehouse operators, processors, and relevant Government agencies, with South-South cooperation engagement opportunities
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualification Required & Experience

Advanced University degree in applied Agriculture & Social Economics, Economics, Policy, or Economic Policy; preferably with specialization in Agribusiness, Food Logistic Systems, and Value Chains, or other relevant fields.

Desired Experiences for entry into the role:

• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience providing leadership on all matters related to administrative, organizational, managerial aspects of food systems programmes.
• Fluency in food systems knowledge-based tools to assess and monitor food sustainability as well as the capacity to support actions to address challenges in (production, processing, distribution, marketing, and sale of food).
• Comprehensive understanding of public-private partnership engagement, including relationship building across sectors and industries.
• Analytical, problem solver, have leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills are required.
• Team player and demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse background.

Language: Fluency in English language is essential.
 

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ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to the formulation and/or implementation of the CSP in line with WFP’s corporate and regional policies and strategies on Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) programnmes.
• Working with all key units, develop a strategy and workplan aligned with the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for implementation of CBT programmes.
• Support/lead CO’s efforts throughout the CBT program cycle, in line with the new corporate Business Process Model, by working with key units to provide technical guidance on design, delivery, and assurance of CBT operations.
• Lead discussions/actions on CBT in relevant internal and external platforms (incl. cash and/or SP working groups).
• In collaboration with other units, develop, update, and ensure related Standard Operational procedures (SOPs) are aligned with corporate manuals and guidelines.
• Advise CO in identifying relevant, innovative, and context-specific delivery mechanisms for CBT assistance.
• Act as CO focal point for CBT, ensuring a clear and strong connection between the field operations, Regional Bureau, and Head Quarters.
• Act as CO focal point for CBT for relevant national ministries in government discussions/relations.
• Assist government counterparts to identify and analyze policy problems and operational gaps, and provide technical expertise to inform government policy, strategy and the design and delivery of suitable solutions for cash-based programmes.
• Lead/support the development, implementation and follow-up of capacity strengthening initiatives, including for government staff in cash-based transfers and social protection where required.
• Document CBT best practices and lessons learned for the CO and manage operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to CBT programmes.
• Establish and maintain strategic and operational partnerships for complementary and collaborative approaches to improve CBT programmes, and support related advocacy work for extending the coverage, comprehensiveness, adequacy and quality of CBT programmes within all relevant audiences.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for CBT activities where required.
• Support the ongoing development of corporate guidance for CBT incorporating field experience and lessons learned.
• Other duties as required

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• WFP Ghana CBT engagement strategy including capacity strengthening to National Systems.
• Regular Cash Working Group Meetings and documented minutes and recommendations for management decision-making.
• Implementation of the CBT Business Process Model.
• Training of CBT staff in unit and other multi-functional staff to ensure effective delivery and assurance of CBT operations.
• Regular participation in working group meeting on government to persons CBT operation and providing feedback to management.
• Qualification Required & Experience
• Advanced university degree recognized by?https://www.whed.net/home.php in International Affairs, Development Studies, Economics, or relevant Social Science fields or first university degree with additional years’ experience and/or relevant training.
• Experience:
• You have:
• At least five (5) years of experience in international humanitarian and development programmes, including cash-based programming, social protection, food and nutrition security and/or livelihoods.
• Experience in planning, design and implementation of humanitarian and recovery operations with relevant work experience at country level.
• Experience in leading and supporting the design, set-up and implementation of CBT responses.
• Strong background in analytical work, research, training, workshop facilitation and coaching.
• Experience in working with governments on cash-based transfer modality of assistance will be an advantage.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong understanding of the theory and application of food security, social protection and/or livelihood programmes.
• Good understanding of WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.
• Knowledge of major humanitarian, recovery and development challenges and issues, specifically strategies for poverty and hunger reduction.
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in country capacity strengthening and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts, and principles.
• Knowledge and understanding of UN’s role in development cooperation.
• Good understanding of UN or WFP policies and programming requirements with a working knowledge of project finance, costing, budgeting, and procurement.

Languages: Fluency (level C in reading, writing and speaking) in English.

Language: Fluency in English language is essential.