Programme Policy Officer (Anticipatory Action Operational Support) Consultant, Johannesburg, South Africa
Organization: WFP – World Food Programme
Country: South Africa
City: Johannesburg
Office: WFP Johannesburg
Closing date: Monday, 8 April 2024
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 United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year. The World Food Programme office in Johannesburg is a Regional Office coordinating and supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 12 Southern Africa countries including, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville and Tanzania.
For more on WFP and what we do, please go to UN World Food Programme (WFP)
BACKGROUND
The climate crisis poses a significant risk to food systems, disproportionately affecting the most food-insecure people around the world. The impacts of climate variability and extremes are most prominent in the southern Africa Region, interacting with other main drivers of hunger and malnutrition, including conflict and economic shocks, resulting in increasing humanitarian needs .
Anticipatory action (AA) approaches have gained significant momentum in recent years, given their potential for a more efficient, effective, and sustainable way of managing climate shocks that upholds the dignity of affected populations.
WFP is supporting government and communities to manage growing climate risks through AAs in 7 countries in southern Africa (Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). WFP’s work on AA consists of both: 1) enabling national government, humanitarian and development partners and communities to develop AA systems, as well as; 2) directly delivering AAs to populations at risk of imminent climate hazards.
The WFP Regional Bureau for southern Africa – Johannesburg (RBJ) is providing technical support, guidance, and strategic direction to the countries in the region to develop and implement functional and robust AAs systems. Towards this, RBJ is seeking to recruit an associate who will provide roving support to WFP Country Offices (COs) in the region to develop and implement robust and sustainable AA systems.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Rotational operations support to four country offices for ongoing anticipatory action (AA) operations in anticipation of southern Africa El Nino impact.
Develop and/or improve AA plans for selected climate hazards, through in-country missions and remote support as required.
Develop feasibility and/or risk assessments, including capacity and policy assessments, to inform the development of AA programmes and plans.
Define criteria for targeting AAs and validate these criteria based on vulnerability and feasibility assessments.
Support COs in timely implementation of AA plans in an efficient manner, when the plans are activated.
Support COs in simulating AA plans in case the plans are not activated, to test the plans and generate learning for further improvement.
Support COs in AA impact evaluation exercises in the event of AA plan activations.
Generate learning from system development processes and implementation of AA plans though knowledge management products, such as country case studies.
Provide operational support to the regional Joint Programme on Strengthened Early Warning and Anticipatory Action in Southern Africa implemented with IFRC and FAO regional bureaus.
Provide operational support to Multi-Country Programme on AA for Food Security (MCP-AA4FS), with specific on field support required by new AA-implementing COs.
Support the integration of AA plans in WFP operational systems and country disaster risk management systems.
Support COs in meeting annual corporate results framework (CRF) and annual donor reporting requirements in a timely manner.
Any other duties as relevant.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
QUALIFICATIONS: An undergraduate or postgraduate Degree Disaster Risk Reduction/Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Science, environmental science, or related field.
EXPERIENCE:
At least three to five years post graduate professional work experience in developing systems for humanitarian preparedness, disaster risk management, anticipatory action, operationalisation of early warning systems, institutional and capacity development is required. Direct experience working on AA programmes is an added advantage. Previous experience working with international organisations and Disaster Management Agencies/humanitarian actors.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Knowledge of humanitarian preparedness and response systems, from work with WFP or another related organisation
Knowledge of climate action and anticipatory action is a strong asset
Professional experience in the southern Africa region is a strong asset
Ability to work independently in a timely and organized manner
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with cross-functional teams
LANGUAGES: Fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Intermediate knowledge of French or Portuguese is an added advantage
WHY WORK WITH US
This is an opportunity for an exciting and challenging position in a multi-cultural and interdisciplinary team, based in a unique location, on a topic with high relevance. In addition, we offer: ➡️Meaningful and impactful careers: Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve
➡️Continuous learning and training: We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers
➡️Multicultural and stimulating work environment: We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger
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 wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
The Vacancy Announcement will close on Sunday, 07th April 2024
QUALIFIED FEMALE APPLICANTS AND APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
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