Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition Sensitive) Full-Time

WFP is hiring a Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition Sensitive) based in Maputo.

Organizanitional context

The Cost of Hunger in Africa Mozambique (COHA) found that 10.94% of GDP is lost every year due to child undernutrition. The largest share of this cost is the potential loss of productivity due to malnutrition-related mortality, estimated at 53 billion meticais, or 9.4% of GDP. In Mozambique, one out of two children under-five are stunted, 26% of all child mortality in Mozambique is associated with undernutrition, and stunted children complete 4.7 years less of schooling. Furthermore, repeated episodes of acute malnutrition increase the likelihood that a child will be stunted and children that are stunted and wasted are 12 times more likely to die than their well-nourished peers.

Standard minimum qualifications

• Education: Advanced University in Social Science, nutrition, public health, in additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses;
• Language: Fluency in English and Portuguese languages.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s 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 WFP’s 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 unit’s goals to the

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 team’s 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 team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
•  Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s 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 partner’s 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.

Other specific job requeriments

• At least 2- year experience in planning or implementing nutrition-sensitive programs.
• At least 3-year experience working with Governments, UN and international donors on nutrition multisectoral projects or nutrition-sensitive projects in development and/or humanitarian contexts.
• Prior experience in the Mozambique on food security and/or nutrition sector, preferably including experience at the community, district, sub-national and national levels.
• Strong understanding of food security and nutrition situation analysis, context and infrastructure in Mozambique.
• Strong understanding of  government administrative archicteture from national to community levels.
• Strong understanding of WFP mandate, programs and principles.
• Strong understanding of WFP operations desirable.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated significant expertise providing technical support to country and field program teams, government staff working on nutrition, gender, agriculture and/or SBCC activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of partners with varying interests and priorities.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with minimum supervision.
• Strategic thinking and management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has worked in a Country Office or equivalent level position within technical area.
• Has managed discussions with experts in VAM/Nutritionists.
• Has led a country / are office programme team or a substantial component of a complex programme.
• Has gained direct experience of different programme approaches.
• Has worked with government agencies and gained policy experience.
• Has led team in strategic discussions.
• Has worked in HQ or a Regional Bureau.