Beirut – Programme Policy Officer (Social Protection) SC 8

Job Purpose

We are seeking to fill the position of Programme Policy Officer for Social Protection Technical Assistance to be based in Beirut, Lebanon.

The person selected will support WFP’s overall implementation of its significant technical assistance program to the Government of Lebanon on its national social assistance program, the National Poverty Targeting Program (NPTP) Food assistance component (Food e-card).

The incumbent will report to the Head of the Social Protection Unit (SPU) in the WFP Lebanon Country Office.   

Accountabilities:

     Under the supervision of the Fleet Manager, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

• Support in SPU’s overall management of the 5-year technical assistance (TA) to the Government of Lebanon’s national on social assistance program, the National Poverty Targeting Program (NPTP), specifically its Food assistance component (Food e-card). This requires ensuring that knowledge on global social protection systems is always kept up-to-date and shared within the SPU and relevant units within the Country Office, as well as ensuring corresponding expertise are engaged to effectively deliver the TA’s objectives.
• Responsible in leading specific technical assistance components that strengthen implementation mechanisms of the NPTP, most notably in establishing a functional grievance redress system for the NPTP Food e-card with appropriate resolution protocols and communication mechanisms in place. This involves working closely with Government counterparts, partners, and ensuring that relevant units in WFP are engaged in its development and implementation.
• Support the overall supervision of establishing functional operational systems that strengthen the implementation of the NPTP Food e-card that are within the scope of WFP’s technical assistance program. This also involves ensuring that project outcomes are met and quality standards of implementation are maintained.
• Support, and lead where needed, the capacity building of national government partners in the implementation of related social protection programs, their use of newly established systems and protocols, and other technical assistance activities. This also involves support in developing capacity building guidelines and trainings to staff and partners on core aspects of program delivery.
• Contribute to the production of knowledge products that build the evidence base around topics directly related to the scope of work in WFP’s technical assistance program.
• Contribute to the timely and accurate delivery of corporate and donor report requirements on NPTP programmes and activities to enable informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Liaise with relevant units within WFP to ensure effective collaboration and implementation of ongoing technical activities around NPTP.    
• Provide project management support in the overall implementation of the Food assistance component of the NPTP (Food e-card) by ensuring compliance with WFP standards and procedures. This involves support, as needed, in developing program operational guidelines with proper control mechanisms to ensure consistency between corporate and country-level policies and practical realities in the field. 
• Provide guidance to support staff, acting as a point of referral and assisting them with analysis
• and queries.

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: At least five (5) years of relevant work experience in the fields of programme implementation, monitoring, performance assessment, and/or research.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic. 

Desired skills and knowledge: 

• Experience in supporting implementation or design of a social assistance program(s) is required.
• Demonstrated experience in directly working or collaborating with Government ministries and/or donors is required.
• Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research is required.
• Knowledge of policies around social protection, targeting, monitoring systems and their applications.
• Understanding of the theory and application of food security, social assistance programs and their operational systems.
• Good writing skills.