Programme Policy Officer (Activity Manager)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

22 October 2024-23:59-GMT+02:00 Central Africa Time (Khartoum)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The complex combination of active conflict, access challenges, macroeconomic instability, and large-scale displacement has led Sudan to face one of the largest food security and nutrition crises globally. As of September 2024, Sudan hosts 10.8 million internally displaced people, of which 8 million have fled their homes since the beginning of the armed conflict, making Sudan the largest internal displacement crisis worldwide. Sudan’s gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have contracted 12 percent in 2023, with a further 18.3 percent decline forecasted for in 2024 according to the World Bank. This is attributed to inflation (137 percent during the first quarter of 2024 according to the Central Bank of Sudan), currency depreciation (devalued by over 300 percent from July 2023 to July 2024), and low levels of foreign currency reserves compounded by a decline in national cereal production, with 2023-24 production 46 percent lower than the previous year according to the Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) conducted by FAO.
The candidate will play significant role in leading complex operations and programmatic coordination at a senior level, engaging in high-level policy discussions, and managing cross-functional teams. .

ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

This position is based in Port Sudan and reports to Head of Programme unit at Country Office

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Lead the implementation of the General Food Assistance (GFA) program across multiple hubs and regions.
• Oversee and provide strategic direction for the coordination of emergency programs, ensuring alignment with WFP’s broader objectives.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to influence decision-making processes, including donors, government counterparts, and partners.
• Manage large-scale, multi-disciplinary teams and ensure effective operational coordination with logistics, security, and field staff.
• Lead inter-agency coordination, including with UN agencies, NGOs, and government representatives, to enhance WFP’s operational effectiveness.
• Ensure that the food distribution processes meet operational standards for timeliness, quality, and resource optimization.
• Collaborate with the External Relations Unit (ERU) to secure and manage donor funding, ensuring compliance with donor agreements and earmarking.
• Act as a key point of contact for high-level donor meetings, including reporting on operational progress and challenges.
• Ensure that funding is utilized effectively and that programs adhere to agreed budgets.
• Oversee the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track program performance.
• Lead the preparation of regular program reports, ensuring they provide clear, accurate updates on key activities and results.
• Use data from evaluations to inform decision-making and program adjustments.
• Develop the capacity of national staff, ensuring they are equipped to manage and deliver WFP’s emergency programs.
• Oversee risk management and mitigation strategies, ensuring that all potential operational, security, and financial risks are addressed in program design and implementation.
• Cross-functional Engagement and High-level Representation:
• Act as a senior representative for WFP in external meetings with donors, partners, and government officials, influencing policies and decisions to benefit WFP’s humanitarian efforts.
• Lead internal and external cross-functional task forces to address critical operational challenges and ensure high levels of collaboration.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

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 years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Education:

  Advanced university degree in International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.

  Experience:

  Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in emergency programming, humanitarian response, or related fields, with a demonstrated track record of program leadership.   

  Knowledge & Skills:

  Leadership and Strategic Thinking: Ability to lead large teams and make strategic decisions in complex, high-pressure environments.

  Advanced Program Management: Expertise in managing large-scale, multi-region programs with the ability to respond to shifting priorities and needs.

  Stakeholder Engagement: Strong capacity to build relationships with senior stakeholders and effectively influence decisions.

  Analytical Skills: Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights for decision-making.

  Communication Skills: Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present information clearly to senior-level audiences.

  Risk Management: Strong understanding of operational, financial, and security risks, and ability to implement effective mitigation strategies.

  Languages:

• Fluency (level C) in English language and Arabic language

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

 

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.