Program Policy Officer (School Meals) Vacancy-Job Ref: JKCDWFP/1409/202359

Program Policy Officer (School Meals) Vacancy-Job Ref: JKCDWFP/1409/202359

Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

JOB DESCRIPTION

POLICY OFFICER PROGRAM (SCHOLL MEALS PROGRAM) NO-B/KINSHASA/DRC

People with physical disabilities and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity.

Committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all its employees, we encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of race, color, nationality, ethnic or social origin, genetic information, gender , gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, disability.

CONTEXT AND PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Food insecurity and chronic malnutrition remain high in the DRC. The causes are multiple and its most visible consequences are very often reflected in the school environment by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This problem is exacerbated by a lack of access to health care and adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services.

As part of the implementation of the country strategic plan (2020-2024), WFP supports the national priorities defined by the Government to achieve food and nutritional security based on the development and enhancement of human capital. In this logic, WFP’s support to the Education sector is materialized by WFP school feeding interventions which aim to provide school meals to children in areas vulnerable to food and nutritional insecurity.

The WFP thus provides technical assistance to the MEPST, provincial and local school authorities in the development and implementation of the National Food, Nutrition and School Health Policy. As part of its interactions with its partners, WFP advocates the adoption of multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder educational strategies encompassing the distribution of school meals combined with the integrated package of services (which take into account the gender dimension) with a view to strengthening access (including children outside the education system ) and maintenance using the school as an entry platform to ensure the provision of services aimed at improving their health status, nutrition as well as academic performance in a healthy and protective environment.

The school feeding program using local production would therefore be a tool and an opportunity to strengthen the human capital of small farmers by providing them with the skills they need to be able to sell their products to schools.

These strategies will be gradually integrated into a social safety net that is responsive to shocks, takes into account the issue of nutrition and is capable of changing relations between the sexes.

The School Canteen Program is currently implemented in 5 provinces and affects approximately 300,000 children. It is projected to be significantly increased to reach 500,000 children.

It currently benefits from funding from Japan and most recently from a large EU fund. This requires more sustained coordination to achieve the expected results. A national staff at NOB level is envisaged to ensure program management in the Kinshasa office and coordination with UNICEF, the government and stakeholders.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Resilience & Food Systems, the candidate will be responsible for the following functions:

Contribute to WFP-wide strategic planning and program policy formulation in line with organizational strategy and practical realities of action on the ground and translate program policy into practice at the country level .

In collaboration with government authorities, partners, agencies of the United Nations System and other bilateral assistance organizations, assist in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of strategic plans, programs and project documents for the country office .
Coordinate all key analyzes and assessments with school feeding results, including comprehensive analyzes on, for example, gender, protection and nutrition .

Develop innovative approaches and tools and facilitate systematic capitalization and knowledge management to better support national system strengthening and expansion, including operational research management, lessons learned/best practices and strengthening evidence on issues relating to school feeding;
Support field offices in examining bottlenecks and operational constraints, and proposing adequate solutions, including an effective information sharing system to help strengthen program management;

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead the development of the implementation plan and tools, technical guidance and operational manuals/materials for staff and partners to guide implementation, including ensuring risk management and promotion of innovation;

Coordinate regular data collection, proactive monitoring of implementation and alignment with strategic direction and quality criteria, budget and deadlines in collaboration with the M&E unit ;

Ensure the management of strategic partnerships with different actors (government, civil society, United Nations, private sector, academics );
Ensure WFP’s contribution to UN joint programming (UN Sustainable Development Country Framework, Integrated Strategic Framework, joint projects, etc.) and coherent contribution and alignment to the overall national priority and Program 2030 and ensure effective and efficient joint programming with key United Nations Agencies and partners;

Strengthen synergies and collaboration between the health/nutrition/WASH and education sectors to meet the nutritional needs of school-age children and adolescent girls as well as improve child health (deworming, hygiene and sanitation). food );

Strengthen collaboration and synergies between school food with nutrition, local purchases/SAMS, and revitalize the nutrition-sensitive project around school canteens;
Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for WFP interventions, including by clearly articulating needs, priorities and WFP’s contribution and added value .
Ensure the budgetary monitoring of funds in the WINGS system (checking availability, push down request for the creation of POs) and ensure the monitoring of resources (monitoring the expiration dates of Grants and amenities) ;
Represent WFP in relevant coordination and policy development mechanisms and platforms and ensure its contribution through direct participation, briefings, information products and other documents.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:
Master’s degree in the fields of social sciences, education, agronomy, economics, international development, international relations or other related fields.

Professional experience :
Have at least five (5) years of postgraduate experience in the field of humanitarian and development project management and particularly in the formulation, implementation, monitoring-evaluation, management and reporting of projects/programs. Experience in partner coordination, advocacy, food security and nutrition, and experience in implementing school canteen projects is an asset.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Knowledge of priorities, policies, systems and programs in the education, health and agriculture sectors. Proven expertise in project coordination and implementation;
Excellent report writing and communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with various stakeholders; and advanced facilitation skills .

Languages ​​and other skills
Having an excellent level of French (Written and Oral, Level C) and a good knowledge of English (Written and Oral, Level B) is required
Have good command of IT tools (Word, Excel, Access and Power Point etc.).

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