Programme Policy Officer (School Feeding Center Coordinator)
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity through food assistance. WFP Tajikistan is shifting its strategy towards strengthening national capacities and supporting government-led solutions, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The organization emphasizes innovation, evidence-based approaches, and partnerships to address food security and nutrition challenges.
Job Purpose
The Programme Policy Officer (School Feeding Center Coordinator) will play a crucial role in supporting the nationalization and sustainable management of Tajikistan's School Feeding Programme. This position focuses on strengthening the operational capacity of the School Feeding Center, enhancing institutional systems, and fostering government ownership at national and subnational levels. The incumbent will provide programme management, coordination, and partnership support, ensuring alignment with WFP's strategic objectives and national priorities. Key responsibilities include contributing to project development, managing activities, monitoring data, analyzing policy issues, preparing reports, liaising with stakeholders, and supporting capacity strengthening initiatives for national counterparts. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a smooth transition towards a nationally owned and managed school feeding system that improves food security and nutrition for children.
Responsibilities
The Programme Policy Officer (School Feeding Center Coordinator) plays a crucial role in supporting the nationalization of Tajikistan's School Feeding Programme. This involves strengthening the operational capacity of the School Feeding Center, enhancing institutional systems, and improving coordination mechanisms to foster government ownership at both national and subnational levels. The role requires contributing to the development of project strategies and work plans, ensuring alignment with national priorities and WFP standards, and facilitating the transition towards a sustainable, nationally managed program. Key responsibilities include providing project management and operational support, coordinating daily activities of the School Feeding Center, and supporting its expansion. The officer will also be involved in data collection, monitoring program performance, analyzing policy and operational issues, and preparing reports. Effective liaison with government counterparts, development partners, and other stakeholders is essential for collaboration and program visibility. Furthermore, the role involves identifying and managing partnerships, developing institutional systems and procedures, and implementing capacity-strengthening initiatives through training and knowledge-sharing for various stakeholders. Guidance and supervision of support staff are also part of the accountabilities.
Work Experience
Requires at least one year of postgraduate professional experience in programme management, project implementation, capacity strengthening, partnership management, monitoring, and reporting. Alternatively, three years of relevant professional experience with a first university degree is acceptable. Strong skills in analysis, drafting, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and project management are essential. Prior experience in school feeding programmes and government transition interventions is considered an asset.
Skills
Project Management, Programme Development, Capacity Strengthening, Partnership Management, Monitoring and Reporting, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Coordination, Policy Research, Institutional Strengthening