Ukraine: Programme Policy Officer

Sep 4, 2023 | World Food Programme
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The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything it does, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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The Position

Provide support for the management of all WFP Programme activities under the WFP Dnipro Field Office covering eastern Ukraine to effectively meet food assistance needs.

Why work with WFP?

The war in Ukraine has had drastic consequences, both for people inside the country and for those around the world dependent on its huge grain supplies. It has caused one of the fastest forced population movements since the Second World War. Close to 8 million Ukrainians are living as refugees across Europe, and another 5.3 million are internally displaced. Many are destitute, having lost their homes and livelihoods. As food production and supply lines are disrupted by fighting, many families in the east and south do not have reliable access to nutritious food.

WFP uses a flexible mix of food and cash assistance to support vulnerable Ukrainians wherever they are. This includes working with local partners to distribute food rations in areas near the frontline and providing cash transfers wherever people have access to banks and markets to buy food. Since March 2022, WFP has distributed food and cash assistance equivalent to 1.9 billion meals to families displaced and affected by the war, partnering directly with local responders.

  • WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
  • WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment.
  • WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
  • A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
  • WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, leave plus a medical insurance.

Make a difference

Duties and Responsibilities

  •  Support and guide the operations management of all ongoing WFP programme activities under the Dnipro Field Office, including both in-kind and Cash Based Transfer modalities.
  •  Support the management of WFP’s partnerships with NGO Cooperating Partners and their field level agreement implementation (including all necessary reports and invoices) in line with WFP policies and guidelines.
  •  Contribute to the regular distribution and implementation planning for the Field Office, and review of Cooperating Partners distribution plans and reports.
  •  Guide and supervise more junior operations and partnerships staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
  •  Support contingency planning and ensure timely emergency response, including implementation of rapid response activities.
  •  Contribute towards the further development of ongoing programme activities and new initiatives, gradually including resilience and food systems strengthening activities where suitable, ensuring alignment with wider program policies and guidelines.
  •  Support WFP’s coordination with humanitarian actors in key forums, including the Humanitarian Operations Planning Cell (HOPC), the Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster (FSLC), and government coordination meetings.
  •  Provide project management support to food assistance programmes of considerable size/complexity, supporting the further development of processes, standard operating procedures, and guidelines to ensure a coordinated approach.
  •  Develop and coordinate data gathering for needs-based planning and geographic targeting, ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained, and periodic reports are prepared at various levels including to management and other technical units.
  •  Research and analyse policy and operational issues to support senior colleagues in the development of policies, strategies, programs, and activities.
  •  Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programs and activities that enable informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
  •  Liaise with internal and external counterparts including NGO Cooperating Partners and local authorities, to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects, and highlight potential risks to programme delivery.
  •  Support the identification, development, and management of potential partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, and government technical departments to collaboratively improve food assistance activities.
  •  Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners, technical government departments and local authorities to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs.
  •  Other tasks as required.

Qualifications to join WFP in saving lives, changing lives

Education : Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other fields relevant, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience : 3 years of post-graduate professional and relevant work experience in program design and management, data and systems management, analysis, and reporting, as well as contribution to the implementation of programs. Demonstrated experience in establishing effective partnerships with government entities, and partners, as well as experience in managing teams effectively.

Language : Fluency (level C) in both English and Ukrainian languages.

Standards of behaviour : The WFP Leadership Framework describes the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW WFP works together to accomplish its mission.

  • Leads by Example with Integrity
  • Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments
  • Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork
  • Applies Strategic Thinking
  • Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships
  • Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others
  • Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change
  • Is inclusive and collaborative , and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth
  • Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things
  • Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives
  • Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on candidate grade and role/responsibilities within WFP. Candidates’ alignment with these behaviours is assessed in its selection process.

Before applying

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share its humanitarian principles. All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. WFP aims to achieve parity in its teams in Ukraine. Qualified women applicants are especially encouraged to apply. No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

How to apply

To be considered, you are invited to apply via WFP’s recruitment portal. CV and cover letter must be submitted in English language. Only those who are short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps of its recruitment process. WFP also encourages applicants to create their candidate profile and set up WFP job alerts to learn more about all the opportunities available to join WFP and make a difference in the lives of the people it serves.

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.