Program Policy Officer -Head of Field Office at World Food Programme (WFP)

JOB PURPOSE

Through the five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP), WFP in Kenya continues its shift from service delivery to capacity strengthening of national and county institutions to implement sustainable hunger solutions. Furthermore, WFP aims to ensure that food systems in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya are resilient, efficient and inclusive, enabling people to access and consume food that is safe and nutritious.

The purpose of this post is to lead a cross-functional team in a small field office, and to provide technical expertise to the county government(s) to address food systems challenges, in line with WFP’s CSP.

Duties and Responsibilities and Required Outputs

Planning and Implementation

• Lead, plan and manage WFP programmes within the areas of assignment to ensure technical quality, effective and efficient delivery of food assistance and that daily operational issues are timely resolved to prevent losses, delays or reputational risks;
• Provide technical assistance to county governments in areas of climate resilient crop and livestock production for the most important value chains in the county(ies), identifying constraints, market-based solutions, and incentives to integrate micro, small and medium enterprises (food producers, processors or traders) into market systems in the county and within the established regional economic blocs;
• Coordinate targeting of vulnerable communities, adoption of new technologies or approaches on sustainable, inclusive resilient food systems. Identify communities ready to transition from support and select new expansion areas in consultation the relevant county departments;
• Working with county governments, monitor implementation progress, identifying issues and formulating solutions to address them;
• In collaboration with the county government, support county capacity needs mapping, formulation and implementation of capacity strengthening interventions. This may include technical and policy support to school meals, nutrition, livelihoods and markets, disaster risk reduction/climate change adaptation (DRR/CCA);
• Facilitate capacity building for county staff to increase the quality of services provided to communities (producer groups, traders and consumers)

Partnerships, Coordination and Resource Mobilisation, 

• Manage and monitor performance of partners or contractors, and verify monthly invoices before submitting to Nairobi;
• Ensure WFP’s effective representation in the relevant coordination forums at county level;
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships at county level, and identify synergistic opportunities for collaborations, including the civil society and private sector for locally-driven and market-driven solutions;
• Contribute to preparation of funding proposals, ensuring funding is utilised according to the donor requirements/earmarking conditions; and advocate for increased investments on food security and nutrition related issues by the county government(s);
• Plan and manage donor missions to the areas of operations;
• Liaise with technical and functional areas in Nairobi to support effective programme delivery

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced University degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Environmental Science, Range Management, Land and Water Management, Disaster Risk Management and/or Climate Change, Environment, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies  or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional five years of related work experiences and/or training/courses.
• At least 5 years of post-graduate of demonstrated experience and deepened technical knowledge in the design and implementation of resilience building programmes, market linkages of small-scale traders/producers, including in-depth knowledge of the theory, practice and/or trends in the food systems approach, particularly crops/livestock production in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya
• Deepened experience in technical coordination and operational support to county governments;
• Demonstrated ability to work with government with the required diplomacy and tactical skills to handle complex situations;
• Demonstrated work experience in project related to enhancing rural livelihoods or community resilience to climatic shocks in partnership with the community, county governments, and other partners;
• Strong analytic, communication and interpersonal skills, including training and facilitation skills and demonstrated experience in conceptual analysis, planning and organizational skills.