Programme Policy Officer (Livelihoods Programme) – CST Level II at World Food Programme

Terms and Conditions

Type of Contract: International Consultancy (CST Level II)

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Livelihoods Programme)

Unit: Programme

Duty Station: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (for Bhasan Char response)

Duration: 11 months

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.

Background and Organizational Context

In October 2021, UNHCR (on behalf of the UN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) to set the policy framework based on humanitarian and protection principles and the Government’s priorities and policies. The MoU will guide the UN’s humanitarian response on the island – Bhasan Char. UN engagement on Bhasan Char is to support and complement the work of the Government. WFP began technical assessments in November 2021 and has begun launching operations in early 2022. WFP’s operations will involve General Food Assistance, Nutrition, Livelihoods, School Feeding, and Common Logistics and ICT Services.

The incumbent will be responsible for implementing WFP’s Livelihoods programmes on the Bhasan Char island, as well as functioning as the Livelihoods & Environment Sector Coordinator for the humanitarian community. This will require transparent and responsible management between dual roles of WFP programme manager and objective coordination of all organizations active in the Livelihoods & Environment Sector.

During 2022, while administrative procedures for designating duty stations, establishing appropriate accommodation on the island, etc. are ongoing, all staff dedicated for the Bhasan Char response will be based in Cox’s Bazar. However, there is a clear expectation that most of the staff member’s time will be spent on Bhasan Char Island, as required. Presence in Bhasan Char will be considered mission time and eligible for Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) as approved by WFP. Travel to and from the island (approximately 3 hours via Navy vessel), on the island, and accommodation on the island will be provided by WFP. There are no options for private accommodation rentals in Bhasan Char.

Job Purpose

The incumbent will be administratively supervised by the Head of Bhasan Char, while technically supervised by the Deputy Head of Programme in charge of the programme side of the Bhasan Char operation. The incumbent will closely coordinate with the Cox’s Bazar Head of Self-Reliance, ensuring that programmes are aligned and coherent across the two locations, where contextually appropriate. However, programme implementation in Bhasan Char will be independent and managed directly by the incumbent.

Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive)

Programme Policy Officer (Bhashan Char Livelihoods)

Co-design WFP’s Livelihoods programmes in Bhasan Char in close coordination with Cox’s Bazar (CXB) Head of Self-Reliance, including Skills Development for hard-to-reach populations and agriculture and aquaculture programmes
Design short-term, mid-term, and long-term resilience strategies (i.e., exit strategies), unique to Bhasan Char challenges and opportunities
Ensure that WFP programmes in Bhasan Char are adapted to fit the unique specificities of the island (programmes should not necessarily be copied and pasted from Cox’s Bazar)
Lead all processes related to onboarding Cooperating Partners specifically for Bhasan Char
Lead implementation of WFP Livelihoods programmes in Bhasan Char
Directly manage Bhasan Char Livelihoods staff
Support resource mobilization of WFP’s Livelihoods programmes on the island
Track and manage programme expenditures, resources, grant TDDs, etc.
Ensure that WFP Livelihoods programming remains within WFP’s mandate and division of responsibilities, as agreed with other Sector agencies
Work closely with WFP Gender and Protection units to ensure mainstreaming across WFP’s programmes
Participate in Cox’s Bazar-level Sector coordination forums (e.g., CXB Food Security & Livelihoods; CXB EETWG), recognizing that the population in Bhasan Char is the same as Cox’s Bazar
Perform any other duties, as required

Livelihoods & Environment Sector Coordinator

Lead and coordinate Sector partners on Bhasan Char for effective service delivery
Launch and run regular sectorial meetings on the island
Maintain neutrality and represent interests of the sectoral group in discussion with other interlocutors on prioritization, resource mobilization, and advocacy
Represent the Sector with Additional Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and CIC
Map all current actors, activities, programme designs, standards, etc. to identify gaps and propose solutions for coherence, standardization, and high-quality and consistent service delivery
Lead sectoral needs assessments, in collaboration with relevant Sectors
Support Sector resource mobilization, while ensuring objectivity against WFP’s resource mobilization efforts
Ensure that all cash distributions going through the Livelihoods & Environment Sector are well coordinated with the Food Security Sector, Site Management Sector, etc. to ensure that fragile markets on the island are not overwhelmed by a rapid influx of cash.
In collaboration with the Site Management Sector, ensure standardization of cash distribution rates
In collaboration with relevant Sectors and UNHCR, support advocacy related to continued cash-in-hand distributions to Rohingya refugees, as well as commitment from Government to allow refugees to establish businesses
In collaboration with UNHCR Site Planning, and on behalf of the Livelihoods & Environment Sector, ensure fair and adequate allocation of space for Livelihoods activities
In collaboration with Sector partners and all other Sector leads, design short-term, mid-term, and long-term resilience strategies for refugees in Bhasan Char
Coordinate emergency preparedness activities to ensure that gains in Livelihoods & Environment programmes are not lost due to rapid onset disasters
Ensure close liaison with UNHCR Head of Office Bhasan Char as the overall lead of the response, as well as with the UNHCR Inter-Sector Coordinator and other Sector Leads
Provide timely Sector input to Bhasan Char strategy, reporting, and advocacy documents for the Bhasan Char refugee response, led by UNHCR

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education & Language:

Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other field relevant to international development assistance; Undergraduate degree with two additional years of experience acceptable.
International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language required.

Experience & Skills:

6 years of progressive professional experience in the field of humanitarian or development assistance, particularly with resilience and environmental programmes.
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in field duty stations.
Demonstrated experience of external coordination, particularly with UN agencies, national NGOs, and private sectors.
Strong oral and written communication skills required.
Project management skills and experience required.
Strong analytical skills (both qualitative and quantitative) required.
Previous experience with WFP is highly preferred.

Deadline For Applications

Tuesday, 01 March 2022 (Midnight Bangladesh time)

How to apply

Click the link below to view the assignment detail and start the application process.

· Internal Candidates: Apply thru this Link

· External Candidates: Apply thru this Link

Candidate are requested to create an account in WFP E-Recruitment system before applying.

Please also include your CV with a cover letter, highlighting your motivation and suitability for this vacancy, as part of an online application.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary, Rest & Recuperation (R&R), and medical insurance.

Please visit https://www.wfp.org/countries/bangladesh to learn more about WFP’s operations in Bangladesh.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.Country