Career Opportunities: Programme Policy Officer (SAMS), Service Contract Level 8 – Kigali (832004)

POSITION DETAILS

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer (Small Holder Agricultural Market Support)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Service Contract
UNIT/DIVISION: Small Holder Agricultural Market Support
DUTY STATION: Kigali, Rwanda
DURATION: 12 months, with possibility of extension, subject to successful performance and availability of funds

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 United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS) unit is seeking to recruit a National Programme Policy Officer (SAMS) to support the implementation of Shora neza, a WFP – Mastercard foundation partnership. Shora neza is a five-year flagship aiming food systems strengthening to promote increased value chain opportunities for youth in Rwanda through skills enhancement, linkages to markets, and facilitated access to finance. The successful applicant will also provide support to other activities across the entire SAMS portfolio. The position will be based in the WFP Rwanda Country Office in Kigali and the job holder will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the SAMS unit. This position requires an experienced individual with a high degree of independence and will require management of more junior staff to ensure achievement of programme and policy objectives. The successful applicant is expected to manage resources and coordinate the work of support staff, as well as liaise directly with the implementing partners (the NGOs), government and other key value chain partners (including private sector actors, development partners, and financial service providers).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the supervision of the Head of SAMS Unit, and technical supervision of the Shora neza project coordinator, the incumbent will coordinate the work of the NGO partners and field offices and provide technical and timely guidance to achieve the objectives of the project.

Provide day-to-day management support of the Shora Neza project, coordinating the project field activities;
Manage cooperating partners through frequent/periodic meetings;
Provide technical support to the cooperating partners and monitor their performance to meet the project objectives;
Coordinate with Shora neza project coordinator and the head of SAMS unit for a timely delivery on project deliverables;
Ensure collaboration and cooperation with key stakeholders, including the private sector, value chain actors, and financial service providers to contribute to effective project implementation;
Liaise with local partners to coordinate technical support to entrepreneurs and MSMEs (farmer groups, private off-takers, aggregators) to scaleup their operations;
Arrange regular meetings such as technical working groups meeting, bilateral meeting with community leaders and partners on Shora neza activities as well as represent WFP in community mobilization campaigns and trainings to foster the project ownership and community participation;
Provide guidance and standard trainings for cooperating partners on WFP operational practices and WFP indicators, monitoring tools and methods to support them to independently self-monitor and to contribute to the visibility of WFP in the coverage areas;
Prepare ad hoc “notes for the records” and accurate monthly progress reports based on approved M&E plans and checklists as well as review and provide feedback on cooperating partner reports;
Support the local coordination of surveys, review, and evaluation processes, and liaise with partners, communities, and WFP colleagues to gather information, data and lessons learnt to support such exercises;
Collect and summarize programme data, collaborating with cooperating partners where required, conduct analysis, and prepare reports to support programme reviews and informative decision-making;
Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure rigorous data gathering and monitoring systems with project partners;
Identify the main gender barriers/constraints to women and youth participation and engagement in Shora neza project, and provide support in designing appropriate gender strategies, components, and indicators to respond to gender issues.
Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
Perform other related duties as required.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: economics, agriculture, business administration, finance, or a field relevant to agricultural value chain management plus 3 years of relevant experience. OR a first university degree plus 5 years of relevant experience in agribusiness, project management or value chain analysis with a strong focus on the private sector.

Experience:

At least three years of relevant professional experience in the implementation or monitoring and evaluation of development or humanitarian projects or programmes. Work experience in the agricultural livelihoods, resilience or social protection thematic fields is an added advantage.
Previous experience in managing projects on youth employment and women empowerment and sound understanding of programming on women’s economic empowerment is highly recommended.
Demonstrated knowledge of MSMEs, financial inclusion and entrepreneur support.
Experience in gender transformative programming
Experience in managing teams.
Knowledge & Skills:

Has a proactive attitude, an ability to plan work and prioritise competing activities and ensure their completion?
Has worked with technical teams (i.e. programme, nutrition, etc.) to implement development or humanitarian projects or programmes.
Has experience in liaison with government authorities for programme implementation.
Has a good understanding or experience in monitoring and evaluation systems and standards and reporting findings to management team, partners, and other stakeholders.
Has strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds and to manage external partnerships.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and Kinyarwanda

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Relevant experience in development and agricultural fields, with emphasis on pro-smallholder approaches.
Demonstrated ability to provide consistent and timely client service to meet the changing needs and expectations of clients, allowing clients to actively participate in and contribute to decisions that are relevant to their needs. Adjusts services as required.
Take ownership of assigned tasks, establish priorities, and monitor own work plan with minimum supervision.
Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations with results-oriented private sector partners as well as internal WFP clients.
Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiating skills.
Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing and in multiple contexts.
Knowledge of various aspects of financial services and business modelling is a bonus.
Strong ability to take initiative with research and analysis and produce valuable results in conditions of uncertainty; solid operational skills including problem solving and project management skills, including ability to work and deliver projects proactively and under pressure.
Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement is an asset.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This position is open for Rwanda Nationals ONLY

Application Link: Click here

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

25 March 2024

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.