Programme Officer
Organizational Context
WFP's operations in Yemen are conducted in a highly complex, volatile, and high-risk environment, characterized by protracted conflict, economic deterioration, and climate shocks, leading to widespread humanitarian needs. The Mukalla Field Office requires a dedicated National Programme Officer (NOB) to deliver high-quality, accountable, and risk-informed assistance.
Job Purpose
The Programme Officer NOB will provide operational middle-management leadership for WFP's lifesaving emergency safety nets and integrated nutrition tracks in Mukalla, Yemen. This role is crucial for driving programme compliance, actively managing partner field performance, and ensuring the efficient execution of assistance programs. The incumbent will lead field-level activities, offer direct technical support to partners, and collaborate closely with internal units and external stakeholders to ensure operations align with WFP’s strategic and policy objectives. Key responsibilities include managing multi-modality operations, reviewing partner proposals and agreements, monitoring market viability for cash-based transfers, leading reporting efforts, auditing distribution invoices, and strengthening the capacity of cooperating partners and government counterparts. The role also involves supervising junior staff, representing the Field Office in meetings, and contributing to program strategy development, all within a challenging humanitarian context.
Responsibilities
The National Programme Officer (NOB) is responsible for the comprehensive management and execution of emergency food assistance, nutrition, livelihoods, school feeding, and shock-responsive safety net programs within the Mukalla Field Office. This includes overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring alignment with the Field Office Operational Plan, and leading the technical review and validation of local proposals and agreements against WFP standards. The role involves monitoring market viability for both in-kind and cash-based transfers, and promptly resolving distribution issues. A key responsibility is the compilation, verification, and drafting of all field reports, including donor updates and situation reports, as well as auditing cooperating partner reports for data integrity. The NOB will also support the Head of Field Office in preparing for donor and internal missions. Furthermore, the position entails leading and mentoring junior national staff, fostering a collaborative team environment, and maintaining professional relationships with local ministries, humanitarian partners, and community leaders to prevent duplication of efforts. The officer will contribute to program strategies, concept notes, and partnership development, and coordinate with various internal functions. Additionally, the role involves overseeing field verification missions, auditing food quality, collecting beneficiary feedback, tracking and resolving field bottlenecks and complaints, and directing field-level digitalization efforts, including retargeting exercises and biometric registration. The NOB will also be responsible for strengthening the capacity of cooperating partners and government counterparts, and for communicating the Mukalla Field Office's achievements and opportunities.
Work Experience
Requires demonstrated experience in managing complex humanitarian operations (In-Kind and CBT), field operations, or emergency food assistance. Proven ability in partner management, including reviewing agreements and auditing reports. Experience supervising national staff or field monitoring networks in volatile settings is essential. Strong knowledge of UN/WFP policies, monitoring frameworks, and risk management is needed. Familiarity with digital identity systems, AAP protocols, and gender/protection mainstreaming is beneficial. Excellent report-writing, analytical, and IT skills are required.
Skills
Programme Management, Partner Management, Field Operations, Reporting, Data Analysis, Team Leadership, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability to Affected Populations, Digitalization