Beirut - Programme Policy Officer (Refugee Response) NOB

Job Purpose

The position is based at the Country Office, providing support to policy and programme design, monitoring, and implementation of activities under the Strategic Outcome 1 of the Lebanon Country Strategic Plan 2018-2022, that seeks to effectively meet the food and basic assistance needs of refugees and other crisis affected people. This is done in close collaboration with other Country Office Units, Field Offices, Government Entities and other partners and Cooperating Partners.

Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

The position is accountable and responsible for the delivery of quality outputs in relation to the WFP response to refugees in Lebanon, the monitoring of the activity, the annual budget planning, and reporting. Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the international Program Policy Officer Refugees Response, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Project management support and delivery   to affected population (Syrian refugees and refugees of other nationalities) ensuring a coordinated approach with wider WFP Lebanon programmes that aligns with WFP standards and procedures.
• Project implementation support of emergency crisis response to refugees, specifically in areas related to targeting and selection of beneficiaries, provision of cash assistance and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM).
• Prepare the activity annual and monthly distribution plans and note for records’ and submit the CBT officer.
• Prepare project implementation plans and detailed budgets jointly with WFP sub- office staff, government and other agencies.
• Ensure that WFP is represented in relevant partnership, coordination and collaborations forums with government, United Nations agencies, donors and private sector forums among others related to LOUISE and refugees response. And liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration and coordination, monitor ongoing CBT projects. This includes a) Participation in the different coordination platforms (Cash Working Group/cash task force, BAWG, FSWG, b) Support the implementation of a coordinated/harmonized approach to CBTs with UN LOUISE agencies and other partners, including the adoption of joint analysis tools and transfer values and modalities (Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB), Essential Needs Approach (ENA), etc.
• ⁻Liaise with LOUISE agencies for an   effective   implementation and monitoring of crisis response to refugees and foster up partnerships with other key actors of CBTs including WFP partners to continue moving towards more integrated multi-purpose cash models
• Consolidate, in collaboration with the Research and monitoring team (RAM) unit, the quantitative and qualitative process monitoring data and monitoring reports, on a weekly/monthly basis, as required and put in place corrective measures where and as needed.
• Prepare, in collaboration with the Research and monitoring team (RAM) Team, a range of data analysis, reports and presentations on the refugee response that focuses on e.g. food and basic needs assistance, resource utilization, programme status, performance, food security and market analysis situation) and highlight trends/issues.
• Manage the quarterly beneficiary validation processes by ensuring proper coordination with the relevant stakeholders and the CBT (Caseload of validation, prioritization, coordination with UNHCR and M&E finding and reporting, invitation, now show follow up, relationship with service provider and site management)
• Support processes for contracting and managing implementing partnerships and receive and review narrative and financial reports from cooperating partners to ensure compliance and coherence with project implementation.
• COMET administration for the FLA’s covering the Syrian response (Unconditional resources transfers URT)
• Perform regular quality control checks on all uploaded data within implementation module including reporting and validation rates, beneficiary number reconciliation with legacy data sources, and provide technical support to the Cash-Based-Transfers (CBT) reconciliation team.
• Support OIM to develop and maintain dashboards for reporting distribution plans and achievements, COMET data entry status, and reconciliation status.
• Coordinate the review of distribution reports
• Support in developing and sustaining liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, civil society, beneficiaries, and other partners to be engaged in the field of food security and identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives.
• Support with compilation of inputs required for the monthly cash (food and non-food) requirements and share compiled information on monthly basis with relevant units for pipeline planning.
• Provide support and work closely with Head of Emergency Response in the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on program and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Act as focal point for AAP/Gender and protection related to the Syrian crisis response Efficient management of Cash Based Transfers (CBT), planning and effectively utilizing resources in a timely manner and according to WFP standards and procedures
• Liaise with Monitoring and Evaluation unit and Communication focal points to analyse feedback from beneficiaries and provide appropriate responses

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• At least five (5) years of postgraduate professional experience in the private or public sector demonstrating high performance.
• Proven experience in humanitarian or development programme management, including cash programming and/or supply chain principles.
• Experience in implementing projects addressing food security of vulnerable population is an advantage; with experience in implementing technical programs, preferably CBT (cash-based transfers) (i.e., food, nutrition, basic needs… etc.)
• Proven experience leading medium teams.
• Proven capacity to manage sensitive strategic partnerships for the design and set- up of a joint project.
• Deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams in the area of humanitarian needs assessments (food or basic needs assistance).
• Proficient computer skills, including Access, SQL and Excel.
• Has developed effective relationships with partners and explored new areas to scale-up existing activities and researched new opportunities.
• Has prepared briefs to raise resources for operations and collaborated for timely registration, maintenance and update of contributions and forecasts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Standard Minimum Qualifications: 

Education: Advanced University (Masters) degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses

Experience:  At least five (5) years of post-graduate professional experience in implementing humanitarian projects, including at least three (3) years of experience managing in-kind and cash-based transfers (CBT) projects and medium size teams.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in Arabic and English. Fluency in French is an advantage.