Programme Policy Officer (Cash-Based Transfers) NOC, Lebanon Country Office, Beirut

Assisting more than 90 million people in 83 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

In Lebanon, WFP works to support approximately 700,000 people with regular assistance using e-cards. WFP also supports Lebanese schools with school meals, and has run over 300 development activities which include supporting rural infrastructure, as well as education and training opportunities for vulnerable individuals in families. WFP also supports Lebanon’s National Poverty Targeting Programme.

The purpose of the job is to manage programs using cash-based transfers (CBT) to effectively meet food and none-food needs of beneficiaries, provide technical advice and operational oversight to programme implementation, and contribute to the formulation of policies and strategies related to CBT in Lebanon Country Office.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
The post is based in Beirut CO and the incumbent is to report to the Head of CBT e-Card Management and Social Safety Nets Unit.

JOB PURPOSE:     
To manage programs using cash-based transfers (CBT) to effectively meet food and none-food needs of beneficiaries, provide technical advice and operational oversight to programme implementation, and contribute to the formulation of policies and strategies related to CBT in Lebanon Country Office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Head of Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Contribute to the formulation of WFP-wide program policies in line with the organizational strategies and the practical realities of operating in the field.
2. Design, manage and track the implementation of CBT projects addressing food insecurity, in line with WFP’s corporate CBT business model. This also involves developing corresponding program operational guidelines with proper control mechanisms to ensure consistency between corporate and country-level policies and field operations.
3. Liaise with relevant units within the office in managing CBT operations and in sharing operational information, data and analyses, and documentation of business processes.
4. Provide advice and support to other units, to ensure the implementation of policies and programs as per WFP guidelines, and that proper controls are in place and adhered to.
5. Provide technical advice on program and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of activities and transfer modalities, the deployment and testing of innovative approaches and the development of strategies to support populations and groups that WFP Lebanon serves.
6. Enhance WFP’s leadership status on CBT in collaboration with agencies and donors.
7. Contribute to resources mobilizations efforts for WFP CBT projects.
8. Contribute to operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to food assistance and the electronic card platform.
9. Guide and support CBT trainings to WFP staff and partners.
10. Coordinate and maintain good relations with relevant Government ministries, other UN agencies, donors, and other local actors in the implementation of WFP’s e-card system.
11. Contribute to Country Office Emergency Preparedness for CBT.
12. Lead, motivate, and develop a team of staff to enable high performance.
13. Perform other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Advanced University degree in Economics, Agriculture, International Affairs, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies or other related fields or First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: Seven years of relevant work experience.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic. Knowledge of French language is added advantage.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES & COMPETENCIES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Demonstrated operational field-based experience on cash-based transfers (CBT) is required.
• Advanced experience and knowledge of CBT systems including payment delivery systems, relationship with financial service providers, and risk mitigation measures.
• Strong understanding of the theory and application of food security, cash-based assistance programs, or other safety net programs.
• Knowledge of major humanitarian, recovery and development challenges and issues, specifically strategies for poverty and hunger reduction.
• Demonstrated planning and project management skills, and ability to mobilize teams.
• Demonstrated experience in networking with key external partners using opportunities to understand value propositions, and to build and strengthen relationships.
• Knowledge of databases, information, and monitoring systems is a plus.