The number of displaced persons worldwide has been rising continuously in recent years and in 2022, four of the top ten refugee-hosting countries in the world are situated in the MENA region. The lack of economic opportunities, the isolation of displaced communities, and limited enabling environment and policies has resulted in a highly challenging context to support self-reliance of refugees and displaced populations.

The majority of refugees are settled in urban or peri urban areas, where they seek to find employment or self-employment opportunities in a highly competitive informal sector. Poor regulation, poor physical infrastructure, and limited access to institutionalized business support services, limit the viability of the informal sector. Those without specialized skills or capital are engaged in daily wages as casual labors or as low-level employees, who are often deprived of critical protection and social assistance support.

Given the magnitude and protractedness of displacement, WFP is prioritizing support to refugees and displaced populations with program interventions that provide long-term opportunities for economic inclusion, income generating opportunities, and means of livelihoods that will improve self-reliance. In this context, WFP is seeking to enhance its capacities to support regional and country level efforts through the recruitment of a Programme Policy Officer (Refugee Self Reliance). This post will be based in the resilience and Climate Team, Humanitarian and Transitions Unit, under the Team lead for resilience & climate, and the regional advisor for livelihoods.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under direct supervision of the Team lead for resilience & climate, and the regional advisor for livelihoods, the incumbent will be responsible for coordinating efforts that seek to accelerate self-reliance and related innovations at regional and country level, as well as with external partners. The incumbent will contribute with technical inputs to the planning, designing, and implementation of self-reliance initiative at regional and country level. The incumbent will also be expected to perform outreach and capacity development functions with country office to share guidance and knowledge, build capacity, and promote innovative solutions/programmes. While performing this role, the incumbent will liaise with communication team to coordinate the communication and developing reports.

The incumbent is expected to perform following duties;

• Assist the Regional Bureau in the management of self-reliance as a priority area of work, including facilitating coordination, setting priorities, identifying relevant stakeholders and provide overall overview of progress to date and ensure capture of lessons learned.
• Support COs in the design of programmes and strategies in support of livelihoods, economic inclusion and self-reliance of displaced populations.
• Identifying new innovations and opportunities for economic inclusion of displaced population and supporting country teams to engage with relevant partners such as UNHCR, IOM, government line ministries and private sector.
• Supporting WFP country teams to strengthen relationships with relevant stakeholders (including other UN Agencies such as FAO and UNICEF) to enhance socio-economic inclusion of displaced population. This includes establishing/expanding relationships and advocating with public and private sector services providers to include displaced population in supporting services (business development, micro-finance, training, saving accounts, poverty alleviation and social protection, etc.), and building the capacity of stakeholders.
• Support promoting the inclusion of displaced population into national social protection programmes where appropriate through support to the conceptualization, development and institutionalization of approaches and programmes, in close alignment with WFP social protection teams.
• Support the design and targeting of livelihoods and economic inclusion programmes, in line with existing livelihoods/resilience programmes implemented by WFP and UNHCR, the joint UNHCR/WFP self-reliance strategy and other frameworks.
• Support COs to develop M&E frameworks and indicators that will enable WFP to measure and demonstrate positive impact.
• Support the development of donor proposals, in response to country requests, to expand partnerships and resources to meet basic needs and support self-reliance of displaced populations and refugees.
• Support the preparation and dissemination of reports, publications and a variety of information products or proposals for internal and external use.
• Document best practices and develop learning materials.
• Any other related tasks as agreed with his/her supervisor.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree in political/social sciences, international development, development economics, or related fields or first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

• Minimum six years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme design and implementation of humanitarian and/or development programmes on livelihoods, resilience, and self-reliance programmes, including in urban areas, is required,
• Demonstrated experience in developing partnerships and working with private sector, NGOs, international financial institutions, UN, and government authorities in sub-sectors relevant to livelihood, resilience, and self-reliance programming.
• Experience working in refugee/displacement contexts.
• Experience working in dynamic and innovative environments.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of major humanitarian and development challenges and issues, specifically in displacement setting.
• Strong teamwork and coordination capacities;
• Understanding of donor policies, strategies, and programmes priorities in relation to displacement, economic inclusion, and self-reliance.
• Proven ability and experience in the development of interagency networks, partnerships, strategies, and communications initiatives.

Languages: Fluency (proficiency/Level C) in written and spoken English language is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application no later than Sunday, 31 July 2022 (11:59 PM Cairo Time).