UN World Food Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection Jobs in Nigeria

UN World Food Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection Jobs in Nigeria

About WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.

Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

Standard Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Experience

Advanced University degree in Agriculture, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, or other fields relevant to social protection, or a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

5 or more years of professional experience relevant to social protection, preferably contributing to food security and/or nutrition.

Language:

Fluency in English language (written and communication).

Background and Purpose of the Assignment

Social protection is an increasingly popular strategy for governments to reduce extreme poverty, hunger and inequality. Virtually every country in the world has at least one social protection scheme in place, and 2.5 million people are already covered by some type of social protection programme.

As a global leader in fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide, often in very difficult contexts, the World Food Programme (WFP) is increasingly called upon by governments to support national social protection systems. In 2019, WFP partnered with governments in 75 countries to support their national social protection systems, making support to social protection an integral part of WFP’s activities in most of the countries where it operates.

As the COVID-19 pandemic puts at risk not only the lives and livelihoods of many people across the globe, it also threatens to undermine decades of progress towards the SDGs. In response to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, many governments are currently adapting and/or putting in place new social protection schemes.

Through its triple role as a technical advisor, service provider and complementary actor, WFP is supporting these efforts, as it works with governments to extend the coverage, comprehensiveness, adequacy and quality of national social protection systems, with the aim to ensure that all people have access, throughout their lives, to strong national social protection systems that safeguard and foster their ability to meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs, and to reduce and address the risks and shocks they face.

Job Purpose

To deliver against the above, the Country Office is seeking a Social Protection Programme Policy Officer (NOC) to support in designing and managing its social protection programmes. The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Team Lead – CSPC at the Program Unit. The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities:

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive)

Act as the country office social protection focal point, ensuring a clear and strong connection between the field operations, Regional Burau, and HQ.

Translate corporate and regional policies and strategies pertinent to social protection into country-level practices;

Contribute to formulation of the Country Strategic Plan in line with WFP’s corporate and regional policies and strategies on social protection, as well as Executive Board decisions and other relevant guidance;

Design and manage social protection programmes of moderate size or complexity that effectively meet food security and nutrition needs;

Assist government counterparts identify and analyze policy problems, and provide - or mobilize - support and technical expertise for the design and delivery of suitable social protection solutions;

Establish and maintain strategic and operational partnerships for complementary and collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve social protection and support related advocacy work within all relevant audiences.

Enhance WFP’s leadership status

in different forums pertinent to social protection.

Manage operational research and evidence building on issues relevant to social protection.

Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of knowledge products or proposals for internal or external use that position and strengthen the credibility of WFP as a partner in social protection.

Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for WFP social protection activities, including by articulating a business case for WFP’s contributions to social protection and exploring new potential resource channels;

Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for achievement of set social protection objectives within a moderate budget.

Advise and support the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage in social protection-relevant policy dialogues, programme design and delivery.

Lead, motivate and develop a team of high performers.

Other as required.

Desired Experiences for Entry Into the Role

5 or more years of professional experience relevant to social protection, preferably contributing to food security and/or nutrition objectives:

• Has experience working across the policy cycle;

• Has experience working across various programme types relevant to social protection (e.g. cash-transfer programmes, school feeding, public works / food assistance for assets, insurance programmes);

• Has experience leading a team.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Understanding of Agenda 2030 and respective targets – particularly SDG1, SDG2 and SDG17 - and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them;

• Understanding of WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.

• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection and public policy;

• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in country capacity strengthening and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles;

• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues;

• Problem solving and decision-making skills;

• Aptitude for supervising, guiding and empowering staff.

• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, conveying an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders;

• Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative information to understand current and future social protection needs and identify solutions.

• Learning agility, and appetite for exploring and experimenting with new ideas and approaches.

• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.

• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner;

• Ability to work as part of a team, participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others, regardless of gender, culture, background, experience, or country assignment.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UN World Food Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection Jobs in Nigeria

Find Latest Jobs in Nigeria Today - Recruitment in Nigeria Job - Nigerian Jobs - in Nigeria - Job Vacancies in Nigeria

Search our career portal & find the latest Nigerian job positions, career opportunities & jobs in Nigeria.

Jobs in Nigeria - banking jobs in Nigeria, IT jobs in Nigeria, accounting jobs in Nigeria, NGO jobs in Nigeria, business administration in Nigeria, ICT jobs in Nigeria, UN jobs in Nigeria, procurement jobs in Nigeria, education jobs in Nigeria, hospital jobs in Nigeria, human resources jobs in Nigeria, engineering jobs in Nigeria, teaching jobs in Nigeria, and other careers in Nigeria.

Oil and Gas job vacancies in Nigeria, MTN jobs in Nigeria, job vacancies in Nigeria for fresh graduates.

Federal government jobs in Nigeria, job vacancies in Nigeria Federal Civil Service.

Find your dream job from 1000s of vacancies in Nigeria posted and updated daily - click here!