Programme Policy Officer (Partnerships) SC10

JOB PURPOSE

To deliver against the above, Nigeria Country Office is seeking an experienced national Partnership Officer (SC10) to act as a primary reference point between WFP and Borno State Government institutions.
Under direct supervision of the Head of Area Office, the incumbent will operate in close collaboration with all Head of Units/Subject matter experts (SMEs) as relevant. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Foster, strengthen and promote collaboration between Borno State Government and WFP through enhanced coordination, communication and capacity strengthening.
2. Provide technical support and expert advice to the Government teams in the areas of food security, nutrition and other relevant programmatic areas for better advocacy in resource mobilization and utilization, and service delivery;
3. Identify capacity gaps within government institutions and facilitate relevant training programs. Enhance the understanding of humanitarian principles and coordination mechanisms among government officials, fostering a more effective and coordinated response to ensure a cohesive approach;
4. Advocate for increased government engagement and support for humanitarian efforts. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with relevant government departments, ministries, and agencies to enhance collaboration;
5. Proactively identify and highlight opportunities and propose the course of action to nurture a wide range of aspects of common interest;
6. Facilitate dialogue between the Government and WFP on issues pertaining the partnerships through preparation of briefing materials and joint field visits;
7. Using socio-political insights, prepare an engagement strategy and provide guidance on strategic alignment of WFP work with Government priorities and emerging issues to achieve impact;
8. Support convening of key stakeholders including the Government, Donors, UN Agencies, and Private sector to build coalition and synergies on critical matters of common interest (i.e. capacity strengthening, climate change, food security and nutrition, etc.) using existing coordination mechanisms;
9. Monitor the implementation of joint initiatives, ensuring compliance with agreed frameworks and guidelines. Prepare periodic reports on progress, challenges, and recommendations to inform decision-making processes;
10. Participate in key meetings with relevant stakeholders including civil military coordination;
11. Any other task as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives : Utilizes understanding of WFPs Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work. Be a force for positive change : Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area. Make the mission inspiring to our team : Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFPs mission of making an impact on local communities. Make our mission visible in everyday actions : Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their units goals to the broader context of WFPs mission.

People

Look for ways to strengthen people's skills : Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP. Create an inclusive culture : Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries. Be a coach & provide constructive feedback : Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement. Create an I will/We will spirit : Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)

Performance

Encourage innovation & creative solutions : Thinks beyond teams conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.  Focus on getting results : Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks. Make commitments and make good on commitments : Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon teams commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders. Be Decisive : Demonstrates ability to adjust to teams plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

Connect and share across WFP units : Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning Build strong external partnerships : Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partners unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships Be politically agile & adaptable : Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships : Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name

Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level

Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance

Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools.

Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher)

Demonstrates the ability to design, implement, monitor and provide oversight over effective and efficient programmes deploying different transfer modalities.

Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.)

Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring.

Emergency Programming

Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches

Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government

Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes..

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:
Solid understanding of Agenda and of SDG2 and SDG17 and respective targets and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them;
Knowledge of current thinking and development in country capacity development and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles relevant to humanitarian/emergency contexts;
Solid knowledge of WFPs mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable;
Solid knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues is essential;
Demonstrated data collection and analytical writing skills, including ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information to understand national capacities across a wide range of policy and programme areas and identify gap and needs, as well as WFPs entry points;
Good operational, analytical and problem-solving skills;
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present English and/or in the language of the region;
Moderate to proficient computer literacy

SOFT SKILLS:
Excellent ability to develop and maintain networks with a variety of stakeholders
Strong facilitation skills for strategic/analytical workshops and group discussions
Strong analytical, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to convey an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders