Programme Policy Officer (NOB) - Damascus, Syria

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.

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:

Syria remains one of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises. Over a decade of conflict, economic collapse, and climate-induced shocks, including drought, fire, and earthquakes—have significantly weakened national systems and exacerbated vulnerabilities. Humanitarian needs are immense, with over 14 million people estimated to require assistance, including 3 million facing severe food insecurity.

Although early signs of stabilization are beginning to emerge, the operating environment remains highly volatile and susceptible to sudden-onset emergencies, political shifts, and recurring natural disasters. The recent increase in rates of returnees, both IDP and refugee returnees, is placing additional strain on already overstretched services and communities—further escalating needs at a time when humanitarian funding is in decline.

These dynamics underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive array of responses that address the varying needs, spanning from robust emergency preparedness and response systems, to nutrition, resilience and social safety net programmes.

As the agency with the largest footprint across Syria, the World Food Programme (WFP) implements its various programmes through 34 cooperating partners, across the country. To ensure WFP remains equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to the country’s needs, the Country Office is seeking a Partnership Officer (NOB) to support this strategic portfolio.

JOB PURPOSE:

The incumbent will be responsible of processing all the field level agreements, coordinate with the field offices in reviewing the cooperating partners budget and proposal submissions, support in understanding performance evaluation of the cooperating partners, maintain partner’s audit missions in coordination with other units to ensure the partners implementation is within the agreed plan.

This position is based in Syria, Country Office, Damascus and reports to NGO Partnerships Team Leader.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision and guidance of the NGO Partnerships Team Leader, the incumbent will support the effective management of WFP’s partnerships with cooperating partners (CPs), contributing to a compliant, efficient, and impactful partnership portfolio. The incumbent will also provide technical leadership to junior staff and coordinate closely with internal and external stakeholders. Key responsibilities include:

• Actively engage with the NGO Partnerships Team Leader in managing the full lifecycle of Field-Level Agreements (FLAs), including partner selection, capacity assessments, budget negotiations, agreement drafting, performance monitoring, and closure, in line with WFP’s partnership framework.
• Proactively contribute to integrate Third Party Monitoring (TPM) findings into CP performance management systems, contributing to data-informed decisions on partner support, de-risking, corrective actions, and agreement renewal.
• Liaise and follow-up with relevant internal units (Programme, Finance, Logistics, Protection, Gender, Risk & Compliance, M&E, etc.) to ensure clarity of partner roles and responsibilities, and that compliance requirements are applied and monitored consistently.
• Provide guidance to cooperating partners on WFP partnership policies and operational standards (e.g., PSEA, AFAC, data protection), and help ensure clear and consistent communication of expectations.
• Guide the planning and documentation of partner performance evaluations, oversight missions, and joint field monitoring activities. Track follow-up actions and contribute to the development of targeted improvement plans where required.
• Co-lead in designing and delivering capacity strengthening initiatives for cooperating partners, including onboarding, technical training, and peer exchange sessions, especially for partners operating in high-risk or low-capacity contexts.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of partnership-related programme plans, tools, and processes, ensuring alignment with WFP’s broader strategic and operational guidance.
• Prepare and contribute to the production of accurate and timely reports, briefs, dashboards, and presentations, including analysis of risks, achievements, and performance trends to support the NGO Partnerships Team Leader’s oversight and decision-making.
• Support the resolution of partnership-related operational or compliance issues by coordinating with technical units and ensuring timely and appropriate action is taken.
• Maintain and update partner documentation—including due diligence records, evaluations, and FLAs—within WFP systems (e.g., COMET, FLA Tracker), to ensure transparency, accountability, and institutional knowledge.
• Supervise and support junior staff within the partnerships team, including oversight of their tasks, provision of technical guidance and coaching, and facilitation of learning and development opportunities. Act as a role model towards WFP values and leadership framework, strengthening harmonious workplace and psychological safety.
• Perform other duties as required to contribute to the effective functioning of the NGO Partnerships Unit and the successful implementation of WFP’s programme objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

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.

Experience:

At least (3) years of post-graduate professional experience in programme management with a Master’s degree, or (5) years with a Bachelor's degree.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.
• Has been involved in compliance management.
• Ability to successfully supervise employees and manage teams.
• Proven negotiation and communication skills.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in both English and Arabic.

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 committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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.