WFP recruits a Programme Policy Officer Consultant (South-South Cooperation Strategy) CERFAM, Abidjan (105812)

Context :

 Côte d’Ivoire has enjoyed remarkable economic success with a GDP growth rate above 7% per year since 2012, making it a major economic power in the subregion and one of Africa’s most vibrant economies. Although, the Ivorian economy remains vulnerable to external risks, including volatility in the prices of agricultural and mining products, climate conditions, global and regional security risks, and economic inequalities, the country plays an influential role on socio-economic development issues in the subregion and the government is taking a leadership role in contributing to end hunger and malnutrition in the region. WFP has successfully developed and signed a MoU with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire on  5 October 2018 to establish a general framework for a strategic partnership, which will promote partnership, south-south cooperation, technical assistance, research and advocacy within the region, by capitalizing on good practices in food security and nutrition. This framework resulted in the creation of a Regional Centre of Excellence against Hunger and Malnutrition (CERFAM), hosted and financed by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire. CERFAM was officially launched on 25 March, 2019. To enable it to operate, CERFAM is advertising a consultancy to prepare its South-South Cooperation Strategy.

 

Purpose of the assignment :

The South South Cooperation Consultant will work to develop a South South cooperation strategy for the implementation of the programme of work of CERFAM, in line with the terms and conditions of the MOU between WFP and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire. Under the general supervision of the Head of Programme, the consultant will ensure synergies with the tasks of the Programme Unit, WFP’s global South-South team and Plan of Action for 2019/2020, WFP-related areas of work, with the workstreams of other Centres of Excellence and relevant technical functions.

 

Duties and responsabilities :

 The selected candidate will be working under the supervision of the Head of Programme for the preparation of CERFAM South South Cooperation strategy. In this regard he/she will perform the following duties :

• Preparation and facilitation of consultations with internal and external partners to identify SSTC opportunities for CERFAM.
• Contribution to preparatory assessment, scoping exercises and project formulation for the roll-out of projects to facilitate South-South and triangular cooperation in CERFAM ;
• Take stock of different internal and external stakeholders’ expectations about CERFAM work ;
• Prepare a desk review on the topic to understand synergies, complementarities and opportunities ;
• Leverage ongoing work done within WFP on south south cooperation to identify and document complementarities and collaboration opportunities ;
• Interact with CIV Government to understand their expectations around south south and the work of CERFAM ;
• Review and documentation of evidence and lessons learned for including in the south south strategy ;
• Consult with WFP units at different levels for better understanding of possible options for CERFAM ;
• Consult with external stakeholders if necessary to explore additional opportunities ;
• Identify opportunities for synergies between the Centres in coordination with WFP’s global SSC team and colleagues from other WFP Centres of Excellence ;
• Identification of strategic options, key deliverables and possible components of the strategy.
• Design of monitoring and evaluation strategy to track progress of UN-brokered SSTC interventions for CERFAM ;
• Develop draft strategy, based on consultations and feedback from internal and external stakeholders ;
• Prepare reports of the status of the work and the activities performed ;
• Prepare a presentation of draft strategy to be shared ;
• Organize a meeting to validate and finalze the Strategy .

 

Expected results :

Within delegated authority, the South South Consultant will develop the following products :

• A south south strategy for the implementation of the work of CERFAM, which will establish the main workstreams for CERFAM in supporting countries in advancing teir SDGs ;
• A consultation and engagement plan, in order to systematically engage relevant internal and external stakeholders during the strategy’s design ;
• A workshop to present the main highlights of the strategy and to consult with different stakeholders about opportunities around this strategy for CERFAM .

 

Qualifications :

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

Experience : 

•  At least 5 years of professional experience in international development, including at least one of the following topics:  food and nutrition security, school feeding programmes, south south cooperation, agricultural development and social protection ;
• Experience in design, management and implementation of policies, programmes and projects ;
• Experience in working with development, capacity strengthening and south south activities ;
• Strong technical knowledge in south south cooperation global issues ;
• Experience in drafting strategies, policy papers and others related documents ;
• Experience in multicultural environments and working with staff from other cultures and background is an asset ;
• Experience in working with UN agencies, Development Partners, High level authorities, local governments and civil society organizations is desirable. Experiences in facilitating multi-stakeholder or South-South cooperation projects is a plus ;
• Demonstrated strong communication, writing and conceptual skills ;
• Strong teamworking skills .

Competencies :

• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner ;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills ;
• Willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work ;
• Ability to work in a team and multi-task as needed.

Languages :

• Language : Fluency in French and in English.