Programme Policy Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been present in Pakistan since 1968 with the focus of work evolving from providing humanitarian assistance to positioning itself as a partner of choice for supporting the Government’s development priorities. Under the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 WFP continues to support national development priorities by complementing government efforts to improve food and nutrition security while also playing an integral role in emergency preparedness and humanitarian response. In recent years, WFP has strengthened its partnership with the Government of Pakistan to address the high levels of chronic malnutrition through a life cycle approach through activities being implemented across the country. In each provincial office WFP has national staff who are responsible for implementation of WFP nutrition activities in that province. With this in mind, WFP is planning to hire a Programme Policy Officer – Nutrition in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Office (AJK) in Muzzafarabad.

The Job holder will report to the Head of Office to lead in planning and implementation of nutrition programmes in the AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) regions. They will be involved in a wide variety of nutrition programme activities and analytical work, some of which may be of a considerable complexity. At this level job holders are expected to contribute to performance of their unit and partners and to liaise with the WFP teams across provinces and with additional guidance from the WFP Country Office in Islamabad.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

• To lead policy and programme activities in the areas of nutrition that effectively support WFP AJK’s efforts to upscale nutrition in the region.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the Head of Provincial Office in managing the implementation of quality nutrition programmes across AJK and GB, both for stunting prevention, maternal and adolescent nutrition, and for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition.  Working with the WFP Country Office team, contribute to the implementation of local wheat flour fortification through support to targeted chakkis;
• Provide technical support to nutrition projects and activities in the AJK and GB regions, supporting a coordinated approach with wider programmes/projects that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
• Attend regional or district level strategic consultations, contribute to discussions, exchange experiences, advocate and position WFP and identify areas of potential collaboration and partnerships wherever possible.
• Working with the Head of Office, support cooperating partners to monitor ongoing nutrition projects, ensuring effective collaboration, timeliness, and efficiency, and highlight potential risks to the project delivery.
• Support WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure effective and efficient delivery of food assistance, and that daily operational issues are quickly resolved to prevent losses by contributing to the preparation of a risk management plan.
• Work with the Head of Office and the nutrition team to support the preparation of allocation plans to ensure timely preparation of agreements/ MOUs/ FLAs with all partners for quality delivery of services through transparent and competitive selection process.
• Support the preparation of status and progress reports by providing information and background material for use in discussions and briefing sessions; Support the accurate and timely collection of inputs/ reports from the cooperating partners for M&E analysis and status reports.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners, and provincial government to prepare for and respond to nutrition problems.
• Support the Head of Office to ensure that gender considerations are included in all plans and programmes and ensure that all partners are trained/briefed on issues around protection, accountability to affected populations and PSEA.
• Any other tasks that are required.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

Education

• Advanced University degree in Nutrition or public health OR first level university degree (in the above discipline) with additional 2 years of experience in the relevant field.

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum three years of professional and managerial experience in Nutrition, preferably some experience in the AJK and GB regions, and in implementation of national /international development programmes. Preferably in an international organization and/or UN system.
• Experience working in public health/food security/ nutrition related activities; and in a team.
• Experience and knowledge of provincial government structure, functions and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Willingness to travel and work under difficult conditions.
• Good analytical, negotiation, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Willingness to travel and work under difficult conditions

Language:

• Fluency in English and Urdu language and any additional local language

Source: https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/wfp/job_openings/job/Azad-Kashmir-Pakistan-The-Islamic-Rep/Programme-Policy-Officer–Nutrition–NOA—Muzaffarabad–_JR106139