UNWFP - Beirut - Programme Policy Officer (Livelihoods) NOB

Job Purpose

To provide support to policy and programme activities that advance risk-informed and integrated programmes to contribute to improving and adapting the livelihoods of vulnerable people in rural and urban areas.

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

Within delegated authority of the Head of Programme and under the direct supervision of the Head of Livelihoods sub unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance, including community and household asset creation, smallholder agriculture market support, climate risk management interventions, climate change adaptation programmes.
• Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes, such as school based meals and social protection, that complies with WFP standards and procedures and achieve results through the livelihoods and resilience theory of change.
• Collaborate to develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained, documented and reported on.
• Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, multi-sectoral integrated programmes that build resilience capabilities, and activities that address inequality, empowering women, preventing malnutrition, creating jobs for young people and improve conflict-sensitivity.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor and report ongoing projects and highlight potential risks and opportunities for effective project delivery.
• Support the identification, development and management of existing and potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages. Lead the technical review committee for livelihood project reviews, negotiations and approval processes.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials.
• Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
• Other as required.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions

Standard Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Advanced University degree (i.e. Master's degree or higher) in Development Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Engineering, International Affairs or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree (i.e. Bachelor’s degree) with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:  At least three (3) or more years of postgraduate professional experience (after completion of Advanced University degree) in agro-economics, natural resource management, international development, agricultural development, food systems, community-based participatory approaches, employment training or equivalent, or, five (5) years or more after completion of First University degree.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in Arabic and English. Fluency in another UN language is a plus.