Beirut - Programme Policy Officer (Crisis Response) SC 8

 About WFP:

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. WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to provide food assistance in areas of conflict, and to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict .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 one million people with regular assistance, mainly through cash-based transfer modalities. 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.

Lebanon is currently facing a wave of multiple crises unprecedented in magnitude, with devastating effects on the economic vulnerability of households. Even before the introduction of COVID-related measures mid-March 2020, the World Bank estimated that extreme poverty could affect 22 percent of the Lebanese population (887,700 people or 163,800 households) in 2020 as a result of the ongoing economic crisis. This is more than double the prevalence of extreme poverty measured in 2011/2012 (10 percent) and will likely increase further with the impact of the COVID-19 situation. In order to respond to increasing needs, WFP aims to reach 50,000 vulnerable Lebanese households affected by the crisis with unconditional food assistance.

Accountabilities:

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Crisis Response Programme Policy Officer (Crisis Response), the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

1. Provide efficient coordination of WFP food assistance to vulnerable Lebanese to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets following WFP’s policies and procedures.
2. Prepare a variety of elaborated reports and substantial data analysis on WFP assistance, including related to beneficiary data as well as programme status, ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control; ensure accurate, timely recording of data and consistency of information and narrative inputs presented to stakeholders.
3. Ensure having a proper and detailed documentation of the current business processes; develop SOPs and timelines related to the operation; evaluate and provide recommendations to assure and improve process business flow/system.
4. Work closely with all relevant units and various stakeholders on the management of accurate and consistent beneficiary information for the distribution of assistance through different modalities. Follow, contribute and where applicable manage data gathering and management systems.
5. Coordinate and liaise with internal counterparts in particular the CBT unit, Partnerships, Supply Chain, IT, VAM, M&E and Finance Units, to enable effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities. Support the Sub-Offices in the management and enhancement of their beneficiary.
6. Support WFP Emergency Preparedness ad Response processes; follow corporate emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP Lebanon is able to quickly respond and deploy needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.
7. If required, foster relationships and support partnership-building with local partners, agencies, NGOs and government institutions to ensure efficient delivery of food assistance.
8. If required, act as an escalation point for complex query resolution on all matters within the area of responsibility.
9. Perform other related duties as required.

        Desired experiences for entry into this role:

• Proficient computer skills, including Access, SQL and Excel;
• Has implemented and coordinated humanitarian/development programmes with increased level of responsibility;
• Experience of maintaining corporate system;
• Experienced in managing bank prepaid debit cards (issuance and maintenance) is an advantage;
• Experience in implementing projects addressing food security of vulnerable population is an advantage;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent time management skills;
• Self-directed and able to work with limited supervision;
• Highly organized multi-tasker who works well in a fast-paced environment;

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Advanced University degree in in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Statistics, 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 six (6) years of professional experience in implementing humanitarian projects.

Language:

Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic. Knowledge of French language is a plus.