Programme Policy Officer - Strategic Coordination and Emergency, CST II

Role Overview

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking a Programme Policy Officer - Strategic Coordination and Emergency (CST II) based in Nairobi, Kenya. The position supports strategic analysis, cross-functional coordination, and emergency preparedness and response backstopping for the region.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Strategic Analysis, Engagement and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Promote data-informed, evidence-based decision making by synthesizing operational data, contextual analysis and expert inputs into clear options, recommendations and follow-up actions for WFP operations.
• Support the Deputy Regional Director in strategic cross-functional coordination, drawing on inputs from Global Functional Teams to translate emerging information into clear strategic insights, options and recommendations for senior management and coordinated support to Country Offices (COs).
• Support internal and external coordination processes related to regional priorities, including through preparation, follow-up and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
• Support Regional Director's Office (RDO) leadership team members, especially the Senior Advisor in advancing innovative partnerships in the region by ensuring partnership and innovation opportunities are connected to operational realities.
• In collaboration with other RDO colleagues, contribute to the delivery of selected management accountability framework-related processes and follow-up actions linked to the Regional Director.

Emergency Preparedness & Response (EPR) Backstopping and Support

• Provide dedicated RDO backstopping support on priority EPR issues (e.g. while current RDO emergency team capacity is temporarily redirected to the Ebola response), ensuring continuity of regional follow-up and seamless coordination with Global Headquarters’ EPR.
• Support emergency coordination at regional and Country Office levels, including issue tracking, preparation for coordination meetings, consolidation of action points, follow-up on decisions and facilitation of communication between the RDO, ESARO global functional teams, other headquarters counterparts and Country Offices.
• Help ensure that priority emergency and humanitarian issues across the region are strategically interlinked, with key operational risks, cross-border dynamics, resource constraints and management decisions clearly escalated for RDO attention.
• Maintain situational awareness of sudden- and slow-onset emergencies in presence and non-presence countries, helping to identify issues requiring timely management attention and/or escalation.
• Support the flow of information between field teams, and relevant global headquarters functional teams on priority emergency files, including through the development of high-quality emergency-related analytical products and talking points.
• As required, support Country Offices through remote or mission-based assistance on emergency-related planning, management engagement, operational follow-up and coordination with relevant technical units.
• Carry out any other tasks as assigned by the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, Strategic Advisor or delegate.

Deliverables at the End of Contract

• Timely strategic and emergency-related analysis, briefing notes, talking points and decision-support products prepared for the RD, DRD and Strategic Advisor.
• Priority emergency files tracked, with key risks, decision points, action points and follow-up requirements clearly maintained and escalated as needed.
• Improved information flow between Country Offices, relevant global headquarters functional teams on priority emergency preparedness and response issues.
• Cross-functional coordination support provided to ensure Country Office needs and operational constraints are reflected in regional follow-up and management engagement.
• Analytical and coordination support provided for selected strategic partnership or innovation initiatives linked to regional operational priorities.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Education: Advanced university degree in International Relations, International Development, Political or Social Sciences, or another relevant field.
• Experience: Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience in a relevant field of work, including at least 2 years field experience in an emergency operation.
• Knowledge of the international humanitarian response architecture including inter-agency coordination mechanisms as well as United Nations systems.
• Experience in strategy development, policy work, planning and managing programmes and experience in the use of various research methodologies and data visualization.
• Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language is essential.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong communications, analytical and partnerships skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex operational, political, humanitarian and food security information into concise written products, options and recommendations for senior management.
• Sound theoretical understanding of international humanitarian and development concepts and principles with a broad knowledge of best practices, techniques, and processes.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel for extended periods of time.
• Ability to plan and organize work programme with minimum supervision.
• Familiarity with UN policies, WFP emergency operations and the East and Southern Africa region is desirable.