Programme Policy Officer

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer (Child Safeguarding and Child Protection Mainstreaming) TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular Consultant level II UNIT/DIVISION: Gender Protection and Inclusion Unit/ PO DUTY STATION (City, Country): Home based DURATION: 11 monthsBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:In line with increasing donor expectations, emerging safeguarding standards across the humanitarian sector, and WFP's Strategic Plan 2026–2029 commitment to uphold zero tolerance for child exploitation, abuse and harm, this assignment will support the strengthening of WFP's approach to child safeguarding, while also advancing the integration of child protection considerations into programme design and implementation.
The Programme Policy Officer will lead the development and institutionalization of WFP's Child Safeguarding Framework, including the elaboration, consultation, approval and operationalization of the Executive Director's Circular on Child Safeguarding. The position will also provide technical support to strengthen child protection mainstreaming across selected programme areas, ensuring that WFP assistance is delivered in a safe, inclusive and child-sensitive manner.
Sitting within the Design and Capacity Strengthening Team in GPI, the consultant will support corporate guidance, capacity strengthening, CSP design and country office support, with a particular focus on translating safeguarding commitments into operational practice.KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive):The assignment will be organized around four priority workstreams:Lead the development and operationalization of WFP's Child Safeguarding FrameworkLead the drafting, revision, consultation, clearance and approval process for the Executive Director's Circular on Child Safeguarding.
Coordinate consultations with HQ divisions, Regional Bureaux, Country Offices and external stakeholders.
Develop supporting guidance, tools, SOPs and implementation materials required to operationalize the Circular.
Support the establishment of governance, accountability and implementation arrangements for child safeguarding.
Contribute to the development of corporate learning and awareness-raising initiatives related to child safeguarding.
Support engagement with donors and partners on child safeguarding commitments and standards.Strengthen integration of Child Safeguarding and Child Protection Considerations into Programme DesignProvide technical support to Country Offices on integrating child safeguarding and child protection considerations into programme design and implementation.
Support CSP development and review processes, including FAR roll-outs, ensuring that relevant child protection risks, barriers and opportunities are reflected where appropriate.
Advise on child-sensitive programme design across relevant programme areas, including school meals, resilience, emergency assistance and social protection.
Promote the use of integrated context and risk analyses to identify risks affecting children and opportunities to improve programme quality.Strengthen GPI Capacity and LearningSupport the integration of child safeguarding and child protection considerations into People-Centred Approaches (PCA) trainings and related capacity-strengthening initiatives.
Deliver and support trainings on child safeguarding, child protection mainstreaming, safe referrals and people-centred programming.
Work with Regional and Country Office GPI colleagues to identify capacity gaps and learning priorities.
Support the development of practical tools, guidance and learning materials for Country Offices and cooperating partners.Evidence, Learning and PartnershipsSupport the generation and dissemination of evidence on child safeguarding and child protection mainstreaming across WFP operations.
Strengthen collaboration with specialized child protection actors, UN agencies and NGOs.
Contribute to the integration of child safeguarding and child protection considerations in corporate frameworks, including FAR and GPI minimum standards.
Support learning and exchange between Country Offices on good practices and operational innovations.DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:The deliverables will be confirmed at the beginning of the assignment to ensure they match the latest developments, and will include:
* Executive Director's Circular on Child Safeguarding finalized and approved.
* Child protection considerations integrated into relevant GPI frameworks, including minimum standards and FAR.
* Technical support provided to CSP development and review processes on child safeguarding and child protection mainstreaming.
* PCA and other relevant GPI training materials updated to reflect child safeguarding and child protection considerations.QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:
A postgraduate qualification in development studies, gender, international development, sociology other development-related fields.

Experience:
At least 1