Background: Knowing and being accountable to our beneficiaries, and strengthening the service levels we provide to them, are priorities for the WFP Kenya Country Office.
Since 2012, the Country Office has been investing in new mechanisms for registering and communicating with our beneficiaries, to improve accountability, proactively mitigate protection risks, and get direct feedback that can be used to improve our programmes.
In 2012, Kenya was one of 11 Country Offices identified to pilot implementation of WFP’s humanitarian protection policy, and made significant contributions in the area of complaints and grievances.
The WFP Helpline, established in 2013, has continued to expand and deepen, improving service levels to beneficiaries.
In 2015, the Government of Kenya’s Social Protection Secretariat requested technical assistance from WFP to establish a toll-free line for the national safety net programmes.
Also since 2013, WFP has been working with CGAP to develop consumer protection tools for cash transfer programmes.
The Country Office is on the forefront of establishing beneficiary management information and electronic registration systems, and integrating these with partner and Government systems, notably UNHCR’s proGres and the Government of Kenya’s Social Protection Single Registry.
Most recently, the Country Office has begun using mobile phones to collect key programme monitoring data from beneficiaries.
The Country Office intends now to pull together and strengthen these initiatives into a coherent service to support the beneficiaries and communities that we serve.
Accountabilities: Under the direct supervision of the Head of Analysis, Trends and Innovations, the Programme Policy Officer (PPO) will head a team responsible for collecting and managing beneficiary data, communicating with beneficiaries, and providing technical support and guidance to programme units on: registration, protection, gender equality, and accountability to affected populations.
Key Accountabilities:
Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes and activities.
Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.
Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials.
Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
Other as required.
Expected Results:
All of WFP’s beneficiaries are registered, and household data is regularly updated and used to align WFP’s programmes with the Government’s safety nets programmes.
The registration data collected about WFP’s beneficiaries is child-sensitive and supports programme layering, referrals and linkages with national safety nets.
New approaches and technology to improve registration are tested, documented, and rolled out.
WFP’s corporate policies and guidance on protection of personal data are adhered to in Kenya’s operations.
Strategies for communicating with beneficiaries, and mechanisms for beneficiaries to participate in the design, monitoring and review of WFP’s programmes, are in place and being implemented.
WFP Kenya’s complaints and feedback mechanism is expanded and strengthened.
Corporate policy and Country Office guidelines on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are implemented and adhered to.
Related partnerships and technical assistance activities are supported.
Country Office management and donors have relevant and timely information about WFP’s beneficiaries, and the feedback they are giving about WFP’s programmes.
Minimum qualifications & education:
University Degree in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, economics, agriculture, international affairs, business administration, development studies or a field relevant to international development assistance such as nutrition, food security or humanitarian response.
Master’s Degree in relevant disciplines will be an asset.
Minimum of five years or more of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience providing direct supervision and management of a team(s) OR management and demonstrated leadership skills.
Specific education or substantial training in one of the following areas would be an advantage: social protection/social safety nets, rural development or communicating with communities.
Excellent communication skills, judgement and tact, and the ability to lead and inspire a team.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive, professional relationships with communities, government counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
High capacity for organization and coordination, as well as an ability to work with a high degree of independence in a team environment.
Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety.
Experience in managing diverse and sometimes competing interests and perspectives to arrive at a durable consensus;
A willingness to travel frequently, often to remote areas.
Fluent English and Kiswahili, written and oral.
Public speaking and presentation skills, including experience in meeting and/or training facilitation skills.
Significant experience analyzing complex datasets and interpreting data for operations or programme reporting.
Excellent computer skills in MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Experience in mainstreaming cross-cutting issues, particularly protection and gender equality.
Experience with results-based management, monitoring and evaluation.
Ability to work in a very dynamic and multi-stakeholder environment.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified Candidates are requested to submit online applications only according to the following procedures:
Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/16-0020831.
Step 1: Create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.
NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
If you have any queries relating to this VA please send them to: Nairobi.Hr@wfp.org.
WFP is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Only short listed applicants will be contacted.