The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking for a highly motivated, qualified young professional to fill the position of Junior Consultant - Programme Policy Officer based in our Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Policy and Programme Division
WFP policies determine how food and nutrition assistance is provided. The Policy and Programme Division plays a leading role in policy formulation and design, through close consultation across the organization and with partners around the globe. The policies permeate all stages of the programme cycle – from analysis/assessment to design, implementation and review/redesign. WFP’s vast field experiences feed back into policy formulation.
The Policy and Programme Division provides substantive strategic and technical guidance, backstops WFP Regional Bureaux support to Country Offices, assists Country Offices to roll out and mainstream pilots and innovations, disseminates know-how, and helps ensure quality in programme design. The Division, in coordination with other parts of the organization at headquarters, regional-, and country-level is charged with shaping WFP’s strategic direction global, regional and national level on key issues relating to food security and nutrition in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
WFP is a leader in innovation and known for its ability to evolve and adapt in order to best meet the needs of the evolving contexts within which it works. Today this tradition continues. WFP is the first of the United Nations Agencies to concretely reorient its strategic plans in relation to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Given its size, global footprint, and broad mandate, other key players in the international humanitarian and development fields are looking to WFP for leadership in this area.
Key responsibilities
Under the general supervision and guidance of the Director of Policy and Programme Division (OSZ), the Junior Consultant will perform the following:
- In collaboration with relevant colleagues in OSZ, provide substantive written inputs to policy documents, policy framework, the Strategic Plan, the Country Strategic Plan, and other relevant policy documents;
- Provide reports on global policy initiatives of immediate relevance to WFP;
- Develop inventory of policy positions and sources of technical information related to policy and programme matters that are relevant to WFP;
- Assist in the preparation of briefing materials for Executive Management on WFP’s policy and programme positions to support WFP’s representation and positioning at key high-level international conferences, events and meetings;
- Attend meetings with colleagues from other Divisions and provide OSZ perspectives and positions, as applicable;
- Support coordination with stakeholders outside of WFP, particularly with policy and programme focal points of the Rome based Agencies and other UN offices;
- Support management of the Policy and Programme Division, as required.
- Conduct policy technical analysis and provide substantive written comments on various external policy documents.
- Support the development of content for Information/Knowledge Management system in relevant thematic areas;
- Provide back-stopping support to the Programme Policy Officer during his/her absence;
- Support holding accountability for standards, guidance and processes within the Policy and Programme Division to enable the implementation of best practice and high performance and ensure optimal use of resources;
- Perform other related tasks as requested by the direct and indirect supervisors.
Qualifications & Experience Required
- University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: political science, international affairs, economics, social sciences, or a field relevant to international development or humanitarian assistance;
- At least 1-3 years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in inter-agency coordination, policy development, strategy formulation. Specific experience with United Nations is required, preferably with Rome-based Agencies (i.e. WFP, FAO, IFAD);
- Strong writing, analytical and research skills (qualitative and quantitative);
- Good interpersonal skills, teamwork spirit and ability to work in multicultural settings;
- Understanding of major humanitarian and development challenges and issues, including strategies for hunger reduction;
- Knowledge and understanding of United Nations and its role in humanitarian and development cooperation.
Language:
- Excellent oral and writing skills in English are required;
- Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is desirable.
HOW TO APPLY:
Application Procedures:
Step 1: Register and create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.
NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
Deadline for applications: 2 June 2016
