Economic Empowerment Pathways Policy and Programming (ssta) - International CST II- WAE

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives and building pathways to peace and prosperity. In Iraq, WFP supports the government's efforts to enhance food security and resilience by providing food assistance, skills development, and social protection. WFP is committed to strengthening national social protection systems, including economic empowerment initiatives.

Job Purpose

The Senior Strategic Technical Advisor (SSTA) will provide expert guidance to the Government of Iraq and WFP on co-designing, modelling, and piloting Economic Empowerment Pathways (EEPs). This role focuses on fostering sustainable self-employment and wage employment for social safety net beneficiaries and integrating economic inclusion models into the existing social assistance system. The SSTA will lead research, policy development, programme design, and capacity strengthening initiatives, ensuring the institutionalization of inclusive practices and the development of knowledge products. A key responsibility is the capacity building of the national Economic Empowerment Officer to ensure the long-term sustainability of these crucial programs, equipping national staff to lead economic empowerment initiatives within WFP Iraq.

Responsibilities

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 focuses on providing food assistance, skills development, and enhanced social protection to vulnerable populations, particularly those recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate change impacts. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, fostering an inclusive and multicultural work environment. WFP invests in employee development through training, coaching, and mentorship, offering opportunities for career growth across its global offices. As a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, WFP's work is crucial in achieving Zero Hunger (SDG2). In Iraq, WFP supports the government's efforts to reform and enhance its social protection system, including the Public Distribution System (PDS). This involves providing technical advisory services in areas like food security, nutrition, social inclusion, and digitalization. A key initiative is the co-design, piloting, and operationalization of Economic Empowerment Pathways (EEPs) to help beneficiaries transition from poverty to sustainable self-employment and wage employment. This includes developing strategies for employer engagement, wage subsidies, and women-friendly work environments. Additionally, WFP focuses on building the capacity of national staff to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs, through on-the-job training, mentorship, and knowledge transfer based on global best practices.

Work Experience

Candidates need at least 10 years of relevant experience in social protection, poverty reduction, or inclusive development. Proven experience in policy advisory roles, research, and programme design is also required.

Skills

Social Protection, Economic Empowerment, Programme Design, Capacity Building, Policy Development, Research, Technical Advisory, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation

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