Programme Policy Officer (head of Gender, Protection and Inclusion),

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and building pathways to peace and prosperity. WFP operates in complex environments, including South Sudan, a country facing protracted crises, food insecurity, and fragility. The organization aims to address inequity and isolation by integrating programs to restore livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and rebuild social cohesion.

Job Purpose

The Programme Policy Officer (Head of Gender, Protection and Inclusion) will provide strategic guidance and technical support to WFP's operations in South Sudan, ensuring gender, protection, and inclusion considerations are integrated into all programming. This role is crucial for facilitating safe and inclusive humanitarian assistance, upholding human rights, and advancing gender equality and disability inclusion. The incumbent will lead efforts to develop and implement gender-transformative programming, conduct evidence-based research, and foster strong partnerships with various stakeholders. Additionally, the position involves managing a team, supporting WFP's internal policies on inclusion, and advocating for protection and gender priorities. The ultimate goal is to enhance WFP's capacity to achieve sustainable impact and support the people of South Sudan in building resilience and independence from assistance.

Responsibilities

The Head of Gender, Protection and Inclusion is responsible for providing strategic guidance and technical support to WFP's country operations, ensuring alignment with humanitarian, human rights, and gender equality frameworks. This role involves advising senior management on WFP policies and developing localized approaches to meet normative standards. A key focus is integrating protection and gender transformation into program design and implementation, addressing issues like property rights, do no harm principles, and gender-based violence. The position also supports the development of programs that empower communities for sustainable impact and independence from aid. Leading evidence-based, gender-transformative programming requires collaboration with internal teams, communities, UN agencies, government bodies, and donors. This includes facilitating research and data analysis on protection and gender, and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders to promote WFP's priorities. The role entails managing the Gender and Protection Unit's annual plan, supervising staff, and providing advice on the safe delivery of assistance, considering conflict sensitivity. Furthermore, the Head of GPI will advocate for protection and gender issues, raise awareness among diverse audiences, and support efforts to prevent, protect against, and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse. Occasional travel to field offices may be necessary.

Work Experience

A Master's degree holder requires at least eight years of progressive experience in protection and gender programming, leadership, and accountability mechanisms in complex emergencies. A Bachelor's degree holder needs ten years of similar experience. Demonstrated field experience in protection, human rights, or gender programming, with in-depth knowledge of humanitarian protection, gender-based violence, and civil-military relations, is essential. Experience across various contexts like emergencies, conflict, and transition is also required.

Skills

Gender analysis, Protection programming, Inclusion strategies, Humanitarian assistance, Policy development, Community engagement, Team leadership, Data analysis, Advocacy, Conflict sensitivity

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