Programme Policy Officer (Head of Programme)
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity. WFP uses food assistance to support people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. We are committed to a diverse, skilled, and high-performing workforce operating in an inclusive environment, living our values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion.
Job Purpose
The Programme Policy Officer (Head of Programme) is crucial for the effective implementation of programme activities in the Rakhine Area Office. This role involves ensuring strong coordination, monitoring, reporting, and engagement with cooperating partners. The incumbent will provide operational oversight, ensuring compliance with procedures and maintaining quality assurance across all programme interventions. Key responsibilities include managing and coordinating programme activities, overseeing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions, and managing cooperating partners to ensure timely, efficient, and high-quality delivery of outputs. The role also involves identifying and mitigating operational risks, managing Field Level Agreements (FLAs), leading caseload planning and resource allocation, and strengthening the capacity of staff and partners. The Programme Policy Officer will represent WFP in coordination forums and contribute to emergency preparedness and response efforts.
Responsibilities
The Programme Policy Officer (Head of Programme) is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing the effective implementation of programme activities within the Rakhine Area Office. This involves ensuring robust coordination, diligent monitoring, comprehensive reporting, and active engagement with cooperating partners. The position demands operational oversight, strict adherence to established procedures, and the maintenance of quality assurance across all programme interventions. Key responsibilities include managing and coordinating all programme activities, encompassing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions and cooperating partner management, to guarantee the timely, efficient, and high-quality delivery of outputs aligned with organizational objectives. This includes providing technical guidance, managing daily planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and budget management of interventions. The role also involves identifying and mitigating operational risks, managing Field Level Agreements (FLAs), leading caseload planning and resource allocation, and monitoring partner performance. Furthermore, the officer ensures commodity stock levels are managed, beneficiary verification and targeting are conducted accurately, and M&E targets are met. Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, and government counterparts, is crucial for joint programming and reporting. The position also entails strengthening the capacity of staff and partners through coaching and training, supporting emergency preparedness, and representing WFP in coordination forums. The officer will also supervise junior staff and act on behalf of the Head of Area Office when necessary.
Work Experience
The role requires at least three years of progressively responsible experience in planning activities or related fields. Desired experience includes deepened technical knowledge, leadership in program implementation, input into policy discussions, emergency field experience, and management/oversight of external partners. An advanced university degree in a relevant field is preferred, or a first university degree with additional relevant experience and training.
Skills
Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Budget Management, Risk Management, Partner Coordination, Capacity Building, Emergency Preparedness, Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership