Programme Policy Officer (deputy Head of Programme)

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) in Armenia has evolved from emergency operations to resilience building, focusing on food security, nutrition, and rural livelihoods. The upcoming Country Strategic Plan (2026-2030) emphasizes transitioning key capacities and models to the government, supporting national ownership in areas like emergency preparedness, school programs, social protection, and food systems transformation.

Job Purpose

The Programme Policy Officer (Deputy Head of Programme) will provide strategic leadership and oversight for WFP Armenia’s programme portfolio, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and national strategies. This role is crucial for the effective design, implementation, and oversight of programmes, with a strong focus on results and accountability. The incumbent will strengthen coordination across teams and partners, promote evidence-based and innovative programming, and play a key role in defining and supporting transition pathways towards government ownership and sustainability. Responsibilities include supporting programme planning, monitoring, risk management, capacity strengthening of partners, and contributing to resource mobilization and reporting efforts.

Responsibilities

The Programme Policy Officer (Deputy Head of Programme) plays a crucial role in supporting the Head of Programme in the design, planning, and implementation of WFP's initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and country-specific priorities. This involves providing technical expertise, project management support, and overseeing programme delivery to achieve desired outcomes. A key responsibility is monitoring progress, identifying challenges, and proactively proposing solutions to optimize implementation and ensure accountability. The role also involves coordinating field office operations and supporting the development of transition pathways towards government ownership and long-term sustainability. Risk identification and mitigation are essential to ensure operational safety and effectiveness. Compliance with WFP policies, donor requirements, and budgetary constraints is paramount. Furthermore, the officer supports capacity strengthening initiatives for partners and stakeholders, fostering knowledge transfer and embedding best practices within national systems. This includes conducting policy analysis, strengthening accountability frameworks, and enhancing reporting processes. Effective partnership building with government, UN agencies, donors, and NGOs is vital for collaboration and coordination. The role also contributes to resource mobilization through technical input for concept notes and proposals, and enhances programme visibility through communication and advocacy efforts. Mentoring support staff, fostering collaboration, promoting continuous learning, and ensuring team accountability are also key aspects of this position.

Work Experience

Requires at least 7 years of postgraduate experience in designing, implementing, and coordinating programs focused on government capacity strengthening, institutional development, and systems reform. Must have leadership experience in program implementation, the ability to foster partnerships, and work effectively with diverse teams. Familiarity with the UN humanitarian system is essential, with experience in emergency preparedness and response being desirable. Strong analytical, planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills are also necessary.

Skills

Programme Design, Programme Planning, Programme Implementation, Capacity Strengthening, Reporting, Accountability, Partnership, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, Team Support, Coordination, Risk Management, Resource Mobilization, Analysis, Mentorship, Knowledge Sharing, Problem-Solving, Innovation, Quality Assurance, Transition Planning, Sustainability Measures, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Risk Reduction, Food Security, Nutrition, Rural Livelihoods, Social Protection, Systems Reform, Institutional Development, Project Management, Budgeting, Procurement, Donor Compliance, Cross-functional Coordination, Analytical Skills, Planning Skills, Communication Skills, Stakeholder Engagement Skills, UN/WFP Systems Knowledge, Adaptability, Independence, Leadership, Interpersonal Skills, Teamwork, Problem Identification, Solution Development, Performance Monitoring, Accountability Frameworks, Evidence-based Decision-making, Advocacy, Visibility, Technical Expertise, Guidance, Mentoring, Learning, Continuous Improvement, Strategic Oversight, Operational Needs Alignment, National Strategy Alignment, Corporate Priority Alignment, Intervention Strategy Design, Workplan Development, Budget Development, Progress Monitoring, Challenge Identification, Solution Proposal, Outcome Achievement, Delivery Oversight, Field Office Coordination, Transition Pathway Definition, Sustainability Assurance, Risk Identification, Vulnerability Assessment, Risk Mitigation, Safety and Security Assurance, Effectiveness Assurance, Policy Compliance, Procedure Compliance, Donor Requirement Compliance, Budgetary Constraint Adherence, Procurement Rule Adherence, Reporting Deadline Adherence, Implementing Partner Support, Stakeholder Support, Knowledge Transfer, Best Practice Embedding, Tool Embedding, Methodology Embedding, Government System Integration, Government Framework Integration, Policy Analysis, Operational Issue Analysis, Programme Strategy Shaping, Transition Framework Shaping, Evidence-based Decision-making Support, Accountability Framework Strengthening, Reporting Process Enhancement, Transparency Assurance, Organizational Standard Compliance, Partnership Fostering, Partnership Maintenance, Government Counterpart Engagement, UN Agency Engagement, Donor Engagement, NGO Engagement, Collaboration Enhancement, Coordination Enhancement, Resource Mobilization Support, Technical Input Provision, Evidence Provision, Strategic Guidance Provision, Concept Note Development, Report Development, Programme Priority Reflection, Communication Workflow Leadership, OIM Workflow Leadership, Programme Unit Workflow Leadership, Guidance Provision, Mentorship Provision, Support Staff Support, Trusted Referral Point, Programme Query Handling, Programme Analysis, Collaboration Promotion, Knowledge Sharing Promotion, Joint Problem-Solving, Programme Design Alignment, Programme Delivery Alignment, Continuous Learning Promotion, Staff Development Support, Technical Capacity Building, Innovative Approach Encouragement, Programme Implementation Innovation, Consistency Assurance, Accountability Assurance, Team Output Review, Constructive Feedback Provision, Programme Standard Adherence Reinforcement, Advanced University Degree, Economics, Social Sciences, Disaster Risk Management, Public Policy, Postgraduate Experience, Government Capacity Strengthening, Programme Implementation Leadership, Partnership Fostering Ability, Diverse Teamwork, UN Humanitarian System Familiarity, Emergency Response Experience, Government Structure Knowledge, Humanitarian Coordination Mechanism Knowledge, Information Assimilation, Basic Analysis, Efficient Solution Development, Communication Style Adaptation, Business Principles Knowledge, Business Processes Knowledge, UN/WFP Process Assimilation, UN/WFP System Assimilation, High-Quality Work Delivery, Pressure Handling, Tight Deadline Management, Organization Capacity, Cross-functional Coordination Capacity, Independence Degree, English Fluency, Armenian Fluency, Additional Language Proficiency

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