Programme Policy Officer, Value Chain Expert

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
3 December 2024-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

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 or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org

WHY JOIN WFP?

1. WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
2. WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
3. WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
4. A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
5. We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer, Value Chain Expert
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular Consultant, Level II
UNIT/DIVISION: PPGR Climate and Resilience
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome, Italy
DURATION: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP's demand for food and food system services can be a direct and indirect driver of achieving zero hunger, contributing to inclusive agricultural growth and sustainable social and economic transformation. Supporting market systems and local and regional food procurement, including smallholders’ procurement, can significantly strengthen smallholder livelihoods.

Combining this with activities that support value chain actors such as farmers, farmer organizations, processing groups, aggregators and traders can have a long-term impact on the sustainability, resilience and inclusiveness of food systems.

WFP has revised its Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS) framework, with the design of SAMS projects now to be informed by WFP's value chain analysis and development methodology to support the design of more integrated climate and resilience programming.

Under the direct supervision of the SAMS team leader and overall leadership of the Programme Themes and Integration Unit team leader, the incumbent will provide strategic advice and technical support to roll-out of value chain analysis methodologies and toolkits and to design of pro-smallholders’ value chain development interventions.

This work will require collaborations with the Food System coordination unit, the Nutrition unit and various workstreams under PPGR.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide technical support to further promote the use of the methodology for value chain analysis and development adapted to WFP’s objectives and operational environment.
2. Contribute to writing the strategy leading to the further implement the value chain analysis and development methodology, including budget and required resources for roll-out in country offices and capacity strengthening of WFP field staff.
3. Identify and consult partners and research centres with expertise in value chain analysis and development to consolidate existing knowledge and tested methodologies. Similarly, identify and analyse existing methodologies for value chain assessment and development in other WFP areas.
4. Provide technical advice on programme, policy and SAMS issues including assessment, analysis and initiatives towards the development of local and regional value chains, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
5. Within the specific area of responsibility, prepare a variety of elaborated reports and substantial data analysis, intervention design and make recommendations to supervisors, ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
6. Advice and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and relevant partners.
7. Support the team in related activities ensuring alignment with WFP and wider UN strategic direction.
8. Coordinate and liaise with internal counterparts on a range of complex matters to enable effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
9. Other duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

1. Promote Value Chain Analysis and development Methodology: Promote the value chain analysis and development methodology tailored to WFP's objectives and operational environment.
2. Strategy and Budget Plan: A comprehensive strategy document outlining the further development of the value chain analysis and value chain development methodology, including budget allocation and resource requirements for implementation in country offices and capacity strengthening of WFP field staff.
3. Implementation Plan for SAMS: Establish a well-defined implementation plan with clear timelines, activities, and deliverables to effectively operationalize WFP's SAMS value chain framework.
4. Knowledge Consolidation Report: A consolidated report summarizing existing knowledge and tested methodologies in value chain analysis and development, obtained through consultations with partners and research centers. Include an analysis of methodologies used in other WFP areas.
5. Training Materials: Developed and documented functional training programs tailored to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and relevant partners in specific areas of expertise.
6. Value chain analysis reports: Delivered elaborated reports with substantial data analysis, providing valuable insights and actionable recommendations.
7. Established channels of communication and collaboration with internal counterparts, along with documented coordination processes, to ensure effective collaboration, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
8. Additional products or outcomes resulting from assigned duties and responsibilities, as required and agreed upon during the contract period.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: University degree in one of the following disciplines: agricultural economics, economics, international relations, development studies or other related fields.

Experience: 6 - 8 years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience, including at least three in food value chain analysis, development projects in the field of smallholder agricultural market support or rural development.

Knowledge & Skills: Knowledge of food value chains, smallholder agricultural support and food systems project implementation.

Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.

Excellent analytical skills with ability to compile, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data, prepare reports and draw conclusions and recommendations.

Very good communication skills to engage experts and liaising with external and internal stakeholders as appropriate.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

A good command of MS Office.

Willingness to travel to remote regions, if necessary, on short notice.

Languages: Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of other UN languages would be considered as an additional asset.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey.

Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

1. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
2. Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
3. Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language.
4. Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter.
5. Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time.
6. Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority.

Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.