Programme Policy Officer – Head of Programme

The Programme Policy Officer – Head of Programme will lead and manage the Programme portfolio and team in Bukavu to ensure effective implementation of programme strategies and delivery of WFP food assistance activities. The role involves building relationships with UN agencies, cooperating partners, and government counterparts to facilitate WFP's mandate in South Kivu.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Programme team in Bukavu FO, acting as a point of contact for all-Programme related activities with CO.
• Translate WFP-wide program policies into practical field-level approaches, program guidance, and operational strategies.
• Provide guidance and leadership in managing a diverse portfolio of programs, ensuring alignment with WFP policies, and pertinent guidelines.
• Provide expert advice or facilitate access to technical resources on various program and policy matters, spanning assessment and analysis, selection of objectives, activity planning, transfer modalities, food systems, innovation testing, and strategies to bolster local government initiatives aimed at alleviating hunger and malnutrition.
• Contribute to and offer technical support for Field Office operations planning, distribution activities, and monitoring and evaluation efforts, both for ongoing programs and emergency response initiatives.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of various projects and activities including General Food Distributions (for IDPs, Refugees, Victims of natural disasters, etc.), Cash Based Transfer, Nutrition, School Feeding, and resilience programs.
• Collaborate with governments and other stakeholders to identify areas where food assistance is needed at the local level, offering support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation, and execution of food assistance programs. This includes advice on context-specific transfer modalities (food, cash, or vouchers) and capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Conduct regular meetings with the Supply Chain team to assess pipeline status, forecast demands, and coordinate timely food deliveries to Cooperating Partners (CPs).
• Prepare and negotiate Field Level Agreements (FLAs) with partners, including budgeting and staff costs based on WFP standards, and present relevant to the Local Project Review Committee (LPRC).
• Maintain accountability by preparing accurate and comprehensive reports on WFP operations and performance, ensuring timely submission. Review reports to identify program support needs and inform operational decisions.
• Support capacity building initiatives for WFP staff, partners, and national governments to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, including project management support for learning initiatives.
• Seek strategic partnerships with other UN agencies to complement WFP's efforts.
• Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness by participating in early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning to respond to humanitarian crises.
• Ensure that Cash Based Transfer (CBT) processes are implemented in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); the management of CBT funds and oversee grant utilization.
• Participate in the development and implementation of monitoring, review, and evaluation plans aligned with WFP DRC and corporate standards to generate quality evidence for policy, strategy, and program design.
• Perform any other duties as required.

Requirements

• Typically, five (5) years or more of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience (both in the field and Headquarters) in humanitarian or development areas in nutrition, social protection safety nets, development and projects management, emergency assistance, and/ or operational aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food security and nutrition assistance.
• Has developed, or supported in the development of, single discipline work plans to support the achievement of strategic aims within a defined area.
• Has gained some exposure in field operations and working experience across the programme cycle (assessment, food security and vulnerability analysis, programme design, M&E) data analysis and information management systems.
• Has field experience in monitoring and evaluation with a background and interest in the analysis of socioeconomic issues and related policy matters.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e., policy, programme etc.)
• Has led a mid-size to large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Has gained experience in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency settings and participated in vendor/government/partner negotiations to support broad function requirements.
• Fluent in French Language oral and written (Level C)
• Fluent in English Language oral and written (Level B)

Skills

• Nutrition Programme Management
• Social Safety Nets
• Development Project Management
• Emergency Assistance Operations
• Food Security Analysis
• Programme Cycle Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Data Analysis
• Management Information Systems
• Socio-Economic Policy Analysis
• Team Leadership
• Field Operations Experience
• Vendor Negotiation
• Government Relations
• Partner Coordination
• Strategic Planning
• Programme Design
• French Language
• English Language

Languages

French, English