Programme Policy Officer (Protection and PSEA Specialist)- Consultant II

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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.

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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 north of Mozambique has been affected by attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and associated internal displacement since 2017, with Mozambique country office (CO) providing food assistance since late 2018. Over 1 million people have been displaced over the years, while 2023 saw marked shift with around half the displaced population returning to their districts of origin, if not locations of origin. However humanitarian needs remain high as the displaced population returned to find little to no infrastructure in place, access to land and livelihoods activities constrained and their homes and assets destroyed. In locations of displacement, the population equally remains dependent on aid, with little or no access to arable land, as well as having a tense relationship with the host population due to competition over resources and the right to assistance. Since April 2024, food assistance has been significantly reduced, with locations reduced from over 7 to 3 districts only, at half ration or less per hh, due to severe funding constraints. This context, in light of high gender inequality and normalization of gender-based violence (GBV), signals significant risks to women and girls of early marriage, physical and sexual violence and sexual exploitation and abuse, while reduced assistance also means that the affected population is at the mercy of the broader community, which is likely to further strain relations between the host and displaced population. Beyond the conflict in the north, Mozambique is facing a severe drought resulting from El Nino, which is already affecting rural farmers who are at risk of turning to risky coping mechanisms, which are likely to affect the worst affected families for years to come. Given that 2024 is an election year, any humanitarian assistance is furthermore at risk of politicization while negative gender norms also present high risks of SEA and GBV, risks which need to be managed with close engagement with WFP programme teams, cooperating partners and local and national level government actors. Furthermore, in 2019, WFP led the establishment of an inter-agency tollfree hotline for the humanitarian assistance in Mozambique in the context of the Idai response which rapidly expanded to cover the entire countly. The hotline serves as a centralised accountability and PSEA reporting mechanism facilitating two-way communications between the affected population, humanitarian organisations and Government counterparts.
In 2024 WFPs Executive Director, Cindy McCain, has taken on the role as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) principals Champion on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH). The ED has identified three key priorities to focus on during this one-year Championship: 1. Operationalize a victim- and survivor-centered approach; 2. Promote organizational culture change through leadership and partnerships; 3. Continue support for capacity strengthening across the humanitarian sector.

WFP Mozambique is seeking a specialist in protection and protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) to support the CO in upholding do no harm principles in line with WFPs 2020 protection and accountability policy. Over the long-term, this Protection Policy aims to: foster an agency that 
consciously and positively contributes to the promotion of the rights of people it seeks to assist; develop a body of humanitarians who are better informed about protection concerns; and provide assistance which contributes to safer, more dignified, and more accountable solutions to food insecurity and hunger.

In the context of PSEA specifically, the Mozambique CO seeks a seasoned specialist who has demonstrable experience and understanding of WFPs commitments and policies as they relate to PSEA as well as broader inter-agency guidelines and best practice for PSEA to both uphold the EDs priorities of the 
PSEAH championship in WFP and in Mozambique generally, co-leading joint efforts for PSEA at the inter-agency level as co-chair of the PSEA network.

The implementation of the Protection Policy focuses on i) staff capacity development; ii) context and protection risk analysis; iii) integration of protection into programme design and implementation; iv) incorporation into programme tools; v) protection information management; and vi) strengthening of WFP’s bilateral and inter-agency collaboration.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Take the lead on the operationalization of the three Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) championship priorities for 2024 both within WFP and as co-chair of the national PSEA network, reporting as relevant to WFPs senior leadership (country director and deputy country director), the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT/ HCT. 
2. Ensure training and refreshers on PSEA to all staff and CPs across the WFP operation, while also working closely with procurement and supply chain teams to expand PSEA efforts to service providers. 
3. Ensure functional reporting mechanisms for PSEA are in place across the operation, complimented by effective community outreach on WFPs zero tolerance to inaction on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and rights of assisted populations and programme participants, while working closely with OIGI for investigation and GBV service providers for timely action on any SEA reports. 
4. Establishment of a PSEA focal point structure beyond the CO, working closely with heads of field offices and programme assistants for protection and AAP. 
5. Provide technical guidance to integration of protection across all interventions, feeding into: programme design and funding proposals, donor reports, evaluations of cooperating partners and associated programme proposals, definition of food assistance modalities and targeting of beneficiaries among others. 
6. Liaise with RBJ and HQ where further technical assistance is required for effective handling of issues and strengthened community engagement and consultation. 
7. Work with the programme and identity management (IDM) teams to ensure safe programming and beneficiary/ programme participant registration processes. 
8. Provide technical oversight on actions to integrate and mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment to address the root causes of SEA across the COs ongoing and future programmes, supervising the national gender officers. 
9. Provide technical oversight of the implementation of community feedback mechanisms, including the tollfree inter-agency hotline supervising the hotline manager, information manager and contractual obligations with the call centre (including 16 call centre operators)
10. Represent WFP on the inter-agency hotline steering committee 
11. Quality assurance of call centre services including oversight of 18 call centre operators; coordination and provision of training; oversight of data analysis and reporting on issues raised; mapping of trends and strategic communication to communities; stakeholder engagement. 
12. Close collaboration with the food security cluster coordinator to support effective mainstreaming of protection and PSEA across the food security and livelihoods sector. 
13. Represent WFP at relevant UN coordination bodies including the Protection Cluster, Community Engagement and AAP working group among others. 
14. Any other tasks as indicated by the Deputy Head of Programmes.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 

Education:

• Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, development economics or another related field such as international relations, human rights or political science.

Experience:

• At least 6 years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in a humanitarian or international development organisation, with at least 2 years international field experience dealing with protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, protection, human rights or gender-based violence issues. This should include experience working in conflict or post-conflict contexts. In-depth field experience in emergency contexts is highly desirable. 

Knowledge & Skills: 

• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian protection, PSEA, sexual- and other forms of gender-based violence, civil-military relations and other humanitarian policy issues, and its linkage with humanitarian assistance as well as accountability to affected populations. Understanding of food security programming is a strong asset. 

• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills. 

• Proven ability to produce outputs independently and under tight deadlines. 

• Strong skills and experience in training and facilitation on protection, human rights and PSEA. 

• Knowledge of UN system policies and functions of protection-mandated agencies. 

• Flexibility to travel on short notice and in challenging and difficult environments. 

• Team spirit and excellent interpersonal skills

Languages:

• Working knowledge (proficiency/Level C) of English and Portuguese is required

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Type of contract: Consultant Level II
• Duty Station: Maputo
• Duration: 06 months

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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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.