Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems) NOB

The Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems) supports the management and implementation of climate change adaptation and resilience initiatives in Tajikistan, focusing on nutritious food systems programming. The role involves programme design, coordination, capacity building, partnership development, and ensuring alignment with WFP and government policies to enhance food security and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Contribute toward the development of a strategy/implementation plan and standard operating procedures, monitoring and reporting formats, and other guidance documents for WFP innovative nutritious food systems programming.
• Coordinate effective and efficient nutritious food systems activities through integration of new technologies, using sustainable and ecological approaches and maximizing locally available materials.
• Contribute to the diversification of nutritious food systems programming through identifying funding opportunities and supporting the development of concept notes and proposals.
• Oversee and coordinate the design and implementation of large and complex integrated resilience programmes in country office and foster synergies between activities supporting people, communities, systems, to become more resilient to shocks.
• Provide technical support, as relevant, to programmes focusing on individual, household, and community livelihood assets creation through watershed/landscape-based approaches by adopting and promoting nature-based solutions, soil and water conservation, water infrastructure; individual skills development related to on-farm and off-farm livelihoods both in rural and urban contexts; climate adaptation, food systems interventions, and foster programme synergies in line with both organizational strategy and the practical realities of operating in the field.
• Support the design and implementation of skills for livelihood opportunities (SLO) and conduct necessary beneficiary capacity assessment and labour market assessment as needed to inform the design of SLO.
• Conduct value chain analysis for selected items in Tajikistan which will serve as a basis for identifying future targeted technical assistance.
• Provide support to the field offices and cooperating partners to assist in initiating projects and ensure compliance with agreements and contracts, traveling to the field as necessary.
• Support the capacity building of WFP country office and field staff, partners, and government counterparts on food systems by assisting in the development and implementation of government policies that enhance resilience and food security, ensuring alignment with WFP programme objectives.
• Ensure financial and narrative reports from cooperating partners follow WFP guidelines and transfers to beneficiaries are conducted in a timely manner.
• Jointly with RAM/VAM, initiate, design and develop socioeconomic assessments and desk reviews relating to nutritious food systems, training relevant stakeholders on methodologies as required, and presenting outcomes and recommendations for adjusted or future programming.
• Contribute to the development of high-quality proposals and support donor engagement and resource mobilization efforts in post-crisis reconstruction, resilient livelihoods, and DRR/DRM/EPR linkages ensuring alignment with WFP’s programme objectives and funding priorities.
• Serve as direct manager on implementation of GCF, livelihood building and food systems-related activities, including the management of technical support via institutions and/or individual consultants and producing general and technical reports.
• Provide direct supervisory support to junior staff and serve as direct liaison for external technical staff or outsourced service providers supporting the nutritious systems portfolio.
• Manage documentation of negotiations and agreements with cooperating partners and other stakeholders (inclusive of a potential partner roster, field level agreement development, and cooperating partner reporting and performance evaluations).
• Ensure staff are cognizant of WFP policies and procedures, providing guidance and advice as required.
• Support the capacity building of WFP country office and field staff, partners, and government counterparts to prepare for and respond to all projects within the portfolio.
• Provide support to relevant partners to enable sharing of experience, lessons learned and best practices.
• Provide training and guidance to junior staff as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
• Provide support in developing and implementing all resilience and food systems initiatives, plans and processes in alignment with WFP and Government of Tajikistan policies and guidance.
• Contribute to the diversification of programming for the overall resilience and food systems portfolio (including post-crises responses) by developing well-reasoned concept notes and proposals to mobilize resources for continuation/expansion of existing projects and new projects that include innovative approaches and improved traditional practices, considering indigenous values.
• Support liaisons with government agencies, UN agencies, international financial institutions, and non-governmental organizations to ensure synergies with resilience and food systems priorities and engage in project implementation and joint programming where possible.
• Ensure all team members, including self, conduct regular field visits for capacity development, oversight, and general knowledge gathering/sharing, and provide concise back-to-the-office reports following such visits.
• Ensure preparation of accurate and timely reports, especially using primary data from monitoring on activities that enable informed decision-making and consistency of information.
• Ensure preparation of human-centered success stories for each project, supplemented with fact sheets and short reports suitable for external circulation.
• Support the implementation of the WFP Tajikistan Country Strategic Plan by ensuring cross-cutting efforts such as nutrition-sensitivity, gender and diversity inclusion (including disability), protection and accountability, and linkages with other activities, including school meals and capacity development, are integrated into resilience projects.
• Perform all duties and functions of an activity manager as relevant to internal WFP processes and procedures in accordance with all deadlines (e.g., potential partner proposals, field level agreements, and service provision processes and contracts; invoice/transfers clearances; corporate systems such as WINGS/COMET/SCOPE; monthly deliverables such as mission plans, country brief inputs and bank forecast inputs; responding to official letters requesting support or information; serving as hiring manager, etc.).
• Support in the development of and ensure proper use of a structured information management and archival system for the team, which links to the greater programme unit and country office systems.
• Any other tasks as needed.

Requirements

• Advanced University degree in International Development, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other field related to DRR, climate change adaptation and/or international assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience.
• At least 3 years of professional experience and active engagement in Humanitarian development projects aiming to improve livelihoods and food security with a focus on community-based participatory approaches.
• Experience in emergency preparedness and response is desirable.
• Experience with WFP & UN agencies, government entities, or civil society in the fields of DRR, climate change, agriculture, and/or environmental sustainability is preferable.
• Has coordinated with and engaged in active discussions with government counterparts, resulting in achievement of organizational goals.
• Has demonstrated leadership and management of technical staff of various levels, ensuring deliverables are met within appropriate time and quality.
• Has been involved in high-level decisions regarding programme implementation and provided input into strategic discussions on policy.
• Has established relationships and engaged closely with external counterparts.
• Demonstrated experience in programme design, policy dialogue and institutional capacity strengthening.
• Experience in Central Asia or similar contexts is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English as well as Tajik and/or Russian.

Skills

• Programme Design
• Policy Dialogue
• Institutional Strengthening
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Food Security Programming
• Community-Based Participatory Approaches
• Emergency Preparedness
• Humanitarian Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Partnership Development
• Technical Team Management
• Programme Implementation
• Strategic Policy Input
• Livelihoods Enhancement
• Government Coordination
• UN Agency Collaboration
• Environmental Sustainability
• Resilience Programming

Languages

English, Tajik, Russian