The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking to fill the position of Regional Programme Officer (Cash & Voucher) P3, which will be based in our Regional Bureau in Bangkok, Thailand. The position requires frequent travel (60% of time) to perform field missions within the region.
With the shift from Food Aid to Food Assistance, WFP has new transfer modality options, e.g. cash and vouchers, which allow tailoring its food assistance responses to the local contexts and market realities.
To help build in-house capacities and ensure that cash and voucher transfers become an integral part of the corporate response options, experts in Cash and Voucher transfer programming at regional level will contribute to the development of Country Offices’ own capacity and ensure timely application of the programme and operational guidance developed by the Cash for Change initiative.
The Regional Programme Officer will report to the Senior Programme Adviser and be responsible for providing technical guidance and support to the Country Offices (COs) through field missions and online assistance. Key duties will include:
- Assist COs in the identification of appropriate transfer modalities for their food assistance interventions;
- Advise and assist COs with feasibility studies, concept papers, market assessments and other preliminary work guiding the choice of the most appropriate transfer modality;
- Support COs with the design of cash and/or voucher transfers, document preparation ensuring compliance with corporate policy, strategic objectives, and guidance;
- Review project proposals to ensure quality assurance and coherence;
- Collaborate with the Cash for Change Unit at Headquarters in supporting corporate capacity building initiatives (training and workshops) related to cash and voucher transfer programming;
- Document lessons learned and best practices to ensure relevant knowledge is incorporated into programme guidance and capacity building tools as appropriate;
- Support the ongoing development of corporate guidance for cash based programming incorporating field experience and lessons learned;
- Represent WFP at workshops, seminars, meetings and other events related to cash based programming as requested;
- Preform other duties as required.
Qualifications & Experience Education:
- University degree in Economics, Agriculture, International Affairs, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies or a field relevant to international development assistance.
Experience:
- At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in planning, design and implementation of humanitarian and development programmes with at least three years of relevant work experience at the country or implementation level in developing countries;
- Experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of in-kind food, cash and voucher transfers.
Technical Skills & Knowledge:
- Strong understanding of the theory and application of food security, livelihood and safety net programmes;
- Good understanding of targeting, monitoring and evaluation techniques and their application;
- Knowledge of major humanitarian, recovery and development challenges and issues, specifically strategies for poverty and hunger reduction;
- Knowledge of issues related to international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance;
- Knowledge and understanding of UN’s role in development cooperation;
- Good understanding of UN or WFP policies and programming requirements with a working knowledge of project finance, costing, budgeting and procurement.
Competencies:
- Excellent written and oral communications and presentation skills;
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills;
- Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement and tact;
- Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under supervision;
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and staff within the office, host population, donors, NGOs and other UN agencies;
- Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Language:
- Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian or Chinese) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages);
- Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.
Terms and Conditions Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, 30 days’ annual vacation, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.
http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Where we work” and “Our work” to learn more about WFP’s operations.http://icsc.un.org Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date http://www.unstaffmobility.org Learn more about countries where the UN operates
How to apply:
Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/13-0013787 Step 1: Create your online CV. Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application. NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
Deadline for applications: 3 June 2013
