Programme Policy Officer

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees. We encourage 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.

Are you an experienced Programme Policy officer (Anticipatory Action & Climate Risk Management) interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, 31 January 2024 (11:59 PM CET).

The United Nations 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. 

Tanzania Country Office is implementing its second-generation Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2022-2027. Based on a comprehensive consultation process and an analysis of key drivers of food security and nutrition in the country, the important themes of Anticipatory Action, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), resilience, shock responsive social protection and climate change adaptation have emerged as priorities for the WFP programme portfolio. 

Tanzania’s climate is highly variable and complex. Over the last four decades, Tanzania experienced several moderate to severe droughts and flood events attributed to climate change. The National Climate Change Response Strategy (2021-2026) noted that efforts towards maintaining lower middle-income or even reaching higher status may be, to a large extent, impeded by anticipated climate related shocks like natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, due to high reliance of the country’s economy on natural resources and its consequent low adaptive capacities. At the same time, Tanzania’s Productive Social Safety Nets Programme, implemented by the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) does not contain provisions for vertical or horizontal expansion in response to a climatic shock, which places limits on the use of temporary cash transfers as an anticipatory action.

To this end, WFP is strengthening the integration of innovative disaster risk financing mechanisms in its programming portfolio to support Government in scaling up model initiatives at national level. This also includes working in coordination with Tanzania Social Action Fund, to support the establishment of a shock responsive capability linked to climate forecasts in selected districts to pilot the use of temporary emergency cash transfers as a potential anticipatory action.

Anticipatory Action is an innovative mechanism which uses forecast-based risk thresholds and triggers to activate pre-agreed and pre-financed preventative or mitigatory humanitarian interventions prior to the peak impact of predictable climate shocks. Anticipatory action mechanisms enable access to pre-arranged finance prior to the occurrence of shocks, mainly weather extreme events. These mechanisms allow governments, WFP country offices and partners to reach vulnerable population groups prior to the peak impact of a shock.

THE ROLE

WFP is looking to engage an expert on Anticipatory Action and Climate Risk Management to support the implementation of project activities. Additionally, the position will work to support the Country Office in the development of Climate Finance proposals and provide technical support to WFP activities in Disaster Risk Management.

The role requires strong project management, coordination and facilitation skills to work with different parts of Government counterparts at the technical and policy levels. The position also requires technical expertise in climate risk management tools, such as climate services and forecast-based financing. The role also requires the capacity to work on systems development and diplomatic skills to facilitate building complementarity and integration between disaster management and social protection institutions to undertake ‘early warning, early action’ in response to climate triggers.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, and close collaboration with relevant technical units, the Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for the following:

Programme Strategic Engagement and Programme Cycle:

• Support strategic dialogue with the Government of Tanzania and other development agencies on the development of a Disaster Risk Financing Strategy for the country. This includes engagement of WFP with the Disaster Management Department (DMD) of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Ministry of Finance, Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) and other line ministries contributing to disaster risk management.
• Programme cycle management (planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation) of full portfolio of disaster risk financing tools and related system components.
• Support policy formulation, capacity strengthening, operational planning, and advocacy efforts for Anticipatory Action in coordination with government counterparts.
• Facilitate the integration of Anticipatory Action and Forecast-based Financing (FbF) across Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) portfolios within WFP as well as within the Government’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management structures under the umbrella of the Tanzania Anticipatory Action roadmap, leading advocacy efforts on the integration of Anticipatory Action system components in relevant Disaster Risk Management frameworks and plans at national and sub-national level.
• Co-design forecast-based triggers for droughts and floods with Tanzania Meteorological Agency and facilitate the co-design and selection of Anticipatory Actions in consultation with Local Government Authorities.
• Support Prime Minister’s Office - Disaster Management Department in consolidating Anticipatory Action system components in standard operating procedures and plans in alignment with government planning mechanisms at national and sub-national level.
• Support Tanzania Meteorological Agency and relevant government partners in collaborative co-design of climate services and early warning tools.
• Support Prime Minister’s Office - Disaster Management Department in their coordinating and convening role in the multi-sectoral Anticipatory Action system design process, building on existing Disaster Risk Management coordination platforms at national to sub-national levels.
ajira
• Coordinate and align efforts to foster integration of the Anticipatory Action and Shock Responsive Social Protection initiatives.

Partnerships:

• Maintain relationships with donor representatives, Government and other stakeholders within the Disaster Risk Management sector, UN Agencies and International Finance Institutions in relations to Anticipatory Action and Forecast-based financing. 

Staff Management and training:

• Facilitate the recruitment and management of technical staff to support Anticipatory Action and forecast based financing activities.
• Provide capacity strengthening and support to Country Office and Field office staff for the direct implementation of Anticipatory Actions interventions.

Project Management, Budget and Fundraising:

• Manage the project budget, including monitoring expenditures against outputs as the programme progresses.
• Act as Project Coordinator and prepare timely reports for Donors and WFP Corporate reporting requirements (including Annual Country Reports and others)
• Engage in resource mobilization efforts for proposal development in the area of climate finance.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced University degree in Climate Change Adaptation, Economics, Political Science, International Development,  Environmental Science or other related fields, or a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: 

• At least 5 years of progressive postgraduate professional experience in programme/project development.
• Experience with anticipatory actions, forecast-based financing, vulnerability and risk mapping, and climate forecasting.
• Proven experience of working with governments, donors, and UN agencies.

Language: 

• Fluency (level C) in English language.
• Fluency in Swahili an advantage though not compulsory.

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Experience in the establishment of partnerships with public and private sector actors.
• Experience with emergency response, early warning and preparedness, or disaster contingency planning
• Experience in developing tailored communication and dissemination strategies to strengthen access to risk financing solutions
• Sound knowledge of project implementation, programme and resource management, humanitarian principles and tools, and transfer modalities.
• Ability to communicate technical and scientific issues with Government and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to translate understanding of programme principles and policies into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches.
• Good networking skills and capacity to build and maintain professionalcontacts.
• Ability to manage political sensitivities and foster cooperation with government stakeholders.
• In-depth understanding of WFP program, objectives and strategic priorities.
• Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others

Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change

Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth

Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things

Builds and nurtures  external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is an International Professional position.
• Candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
• Limited Fixed-Term Appointment (LFT) position is a non-mobile staff appointment in the international professional category for a limited period for up to 4 years. The position is based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and the selected candidate will be expected to relocate. Incumbents of LFT positions are not eligible to apply for other mobile positions advertised internally through the Reassignment.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org)_including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days' annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

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
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.