Job International

Programme Policy Officer (Planning) Job at UN-WFP in Kabulimg

UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP)

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. More than half the population of Afghanistan – a record 22.8 million people – will face acute food insecurity in 2022. The combined effects of drought, conflict, COVID-19, and the economic crisis, have severely affected lives, World Food Programme livelihoods, and people’s access to food. The team of 600 staff, 550 of which are Afghan nationals are working tireless to bring emergency food and nutrition assistance to the millions of people suffering across the country. The assistance provided by WFP includes emergency food assistance, school meals, nutrition programmes and important self-reliance and resilience programmes. The packet of support can include food, cash, or vouchers. In conflict situations, we bring relief to exhausted populations and use food assistance to build pathways to peace and stability – work for which WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. in addition.

Job Summary

The programme planning unit supports WFP Afghanistan’s programme operations by being the custodian of the implementation plan, operational plan and pivotal analysis that sparks action to address operational problems. The unit initiates the yearly programme planning; keeps the planning updated, and facilitates changes to the plan by actively liaising with key stakeholders, including supply chain, budget and programming, RAM, area offices and strategic objective staff, Deputy/Head of Programme to ensure a situationally shared up-to-date continuous planning reflecting food insecurity, malnutrition and school feeding related needs and WFP’s response. Moreover, the unit produces analyses and scenarios, monitors performance and reporting, and provides area offices with tailored support, including backstopping at the country office level to address cross-unit issues.

This position requires someone with an understanding of strategic planning, coordination, and execution of programme operations to address the complex food insecurity and nutrition challenges in Afghanistan. In addition, experiences with spreadsheets, including Excel, Tableau, and DOTS (one of WFP’s corporate data management tools); analytics, as often the incumbent will be required to produce analytical tables, visualizations, narratives; data savviness, including preparing, analyzing and articulating in narrative form data insights. The incumbent will be required to work significantly with other units, at the country level and field and constantly act as a coms focal point inside the programme department by remaining aware and supporting relevant programme processes.

The Programme Policy Officer (Planning) Job at UN-WFP in Kabul will have responsibilities that include:

Under the supervision of the Programme Planning Head, the Programme Planning Officer will take responsibility for the completion of a range of planning and analysis processes and activities requiring cross-unit follow-ups.

Contribute to the preparation of the Implementation Plan (IP) / Operational Plan (OP) latest format / Needs Based Plan (NBP), in line with the IP/OP SOP;
Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including supply chain, Budget and programming and partnerships to maintain a dynamic and responsive planning process;
Contribute to scenario planning based on resources available, management requests, operational requirements, etc to optimize resource allocation and program impact;
Regularly liaise with Area Offices and ensure FRNs are raised timely, as per IP/OP targets;
Liaise with Area Offices, Strategic Outcome staff, and other country-level units (supply chain, budget and programming, donor relations, etc.) to keep the IP/OP/NBP up to date;
Contribute to the digitization and analytical processes within corporate tools like DOTS, COMET, etc.;
Contribute towards developing plans – in Microsoft Excel, Tableau, DOTS – and processes, ensuring planning data availability and alignment with broader programme policies and guidelines;
Develop food security, nutrition, markets, and resilience analysis using quantitative and qualitative tools and prepare timely planning reports on food assessment needs in line with broader programme policies, processes, and guidance to enable effective decision-making on the development of country strategy, policies, and programmes;
Facilitate capacity building initiatives for WFP staff, partners, and national government, as needed, to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g., through analysis, planning, and troubleshooting;
Represent the programme planning unit in strategic meetings and forums, ensuring alignment and integration of programme objectives across various units;
Perform other duties as required to support the programme’s goals.

Job Requirment

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 specialized training and additional two years of most related professional work experience

Minimum Experience:

At least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience in strategic planning, budget preparation, and programme portfolio management/ administration

Desirable work experience:

Experience in leading or coordinating programme implementation
Experience in providing input into policy discussions and decisions.
Experience with and/ or Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM), and/ or M&E
Prior experience in analysis and planning with similar portfolio
Experience in building partnership and coordinating with multiple stakeholders and co-creating innovative solutions.
Substantial role in the creation and training of teams and in explain complicated concepts to a diverse audience.

Knowledge & Skills: