Programme Policy Officer

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ABOUT WFP

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.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• 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 training, 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 the 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.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer (DRF & Gender Advisor)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: WAE CST REG level II
UNIT/DIVISION: PPG-R
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Home based, with in country missions as relevant
DURATION: 20 days, November December 2025

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
For a decade, WFP has been utilizing risk transfer tools to advance the protection and resilience of communities affected by extreme climate events. More recently, it has become a priority to integrate these tools into a broader bundle of disaster risk financing (DRF) instruments that are accessible for governments and smallholders in climate risk hot-spots. Work has developed around two major areas: Microinsurance as part of an integrated risk management approach embodied by the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative; and macro/sovereign insurance through programmes like the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) Replica initiative.
On the macroinsurance side, WFP is purchasing drought risk insurance through the sovereign risk pools to enable quicker responses after climate shocks. In 2024, WFP protected 1.8 million people across ten African countries (Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, The
Gambia, Zambia and Zimbabwe) from weather-related disasters. WFP secured US$48 million in financial protection through ARC Replica insurance policies, with premiums totalling over US$8.6 million. In the space of sovereign insurance, WFP supports Governments in index customization, choice of risk transfer parameters and the design of more rapid and effective mechanisms to deliver support to affected people. Complementary to these efforts, WFP supports governments in designing and implementing more robust disaster risk financing systems. This requires action in terms of capacity building of national stakeholders, as well as staff in WFP country offices.
As the ARC Replica program (Africa) continuously grows, the support to country offices in developing relevant contingency plans (Operational Plans and Final Implementation Plans) increases. The same is true for other regions like LAC and the Pacific where WFP expands its national-level disaster risk financing approach. A key added value WFP provides is the FIP simulation exercise. As the number of countries in the overall programme increases, more facilitators are needed to effectively design, support and deliver these workshops, along with specific trainings to help mainstream the approach. To support the sustainability of its DRF programs, WFP aims to better integrate its efforts with complementary tools and programs to ensure a more comprehensive appro ch to disaster risk financing. The global team will hence need support in such integration efforts. Lastly, WFP received a grant from Global Affairs Canada(GAC) to improve the gender-responsiveness of the ARC Replica program and as such, the global team will need support to carry out various related activites.
In line with the above, the consultant will provide flexible programmatic and operational support to the DRF team at headquarters, regional bureaus, and country offices engaged in the macroinsurance portfolio. This includes the adaptation and further development of facilitator guides and training packages to deliver simulation exercises in diverse country contexts, as well as the organization and facilitation of in-country simulations and training sessions, as and where relevant. The consultant will also contribute to broader operational and strategic tasks across the global macroinsurance team, while supporting the integration of disaster risk financing with complementary WFP programmes, and
supporting coordination of knowledge-sharing and capacity-strengthening initiatives. Furthermore, the consultant will serve as a focal point for gender mainstreaming within the ARC Replica programme under the Global Affairs Canada engagement, helping ensure gender-responsive approaches throughout implementation. All tasks will be carried out in close collaboration with country teams, regional bureau focal points, relevant global units (including WFP's Gender Equality and Inclusion Office), and external partners as appropriate.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provide operational and strategic support to the global macroinsurance team. This includes
contributing to planning processes, facilitating coordination with internal and external stakeholders, supporting country engagement, and advising on implementation and integration approaches in alignment with WFP's broader disaster risk financing strategy.
2. Support the harmonization of best practices across the macroinsurance portfolio by adapting the facilitator guide and materials package for the Simulation Exercise to fit diverse country contexts. This deliverable requires a solid understanding of both macroinsurance mechanisms and WFP operational processes, and entails coordination with the global macroinsurance team, other WFP units, and consultations with country offices as needed.
3. Contribute to the organization and delivery of Final Implementation Plan (FIP) Simulation Exercises and training sessions in relevant countries, in response to the expansion of the macroinsurance programme and the growing demand for country-level capacity strengthening.
4. Under the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) engagement, support the implementation of genderresponsive activities planned for 2025–2026, including conducting gender analyses with a climate lens in eight countries. Use the findings to: 1) enhance response planning and implementation tailored to the specific needs of women and girls; and 2) inform similar processes in other ARC
Replica countries through adaptation and knowledge sharing.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Adapt and finalize a facilitator guide and supporting materials for the Simulation Exercise, ensuring they are usable across different country and regional contexts, in coordination with global and country teams.

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver at least one (1) Final Implementation Plan (FIP) Simulation Exercise and one (1) related training of trainers session to build national and regional capacity.

• Support the implementation of the ARC Replica gender-smart workplan under the Global Affairs
Canada (GAC) engagement, including coordination of gender analyses in eight countries and crosscountry knowledge sharing.

• Provide ongoing operational and strategic support to the global macroinsurance team, including planning, stakeholder coordination, country engagement, and integration with related WFP programmes

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
• Advanced degree in an area related to social sciences, economics or similar is required

Experience:
• Between 6 and 10 years of experience in programme management and implementation support.

• At least 5 years of work experience in the climate risk insurance space (inclusive/ microinsurance, mesoinsurance or macroinsurance).

• Specific knowledge of gender and climate microinsurance initiatives in developing countries would be an asset.

• Experience of designing and facilitating trainings would be an asset.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to present information and ideas and to communicate
technical content effectively to non-technical audiences.

Ability to conduct effective meetings, listen to others and engage in dialogue
on complext, context specific matters.

• Experience working in developing countries.

• Demonstrated analytical and writing skills and data collection experience.

• Experience in establishing contacts and liaising with partner organisations.

• Ability to take initiative and work independantly while in a team.

• Proficiency in Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Knowledge of WFP or UN procedures a plus.
Languages:
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in both English and French is required.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

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• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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