The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is recognized as the leading solution provider and partner in the struggle to end hunger and malnutrition and particularly for its efforts to reach those furthest behind first.
Being the frontline agency of the United Nations system that delivers innovative hunger solutions to 81 countries each day worldwide; WFP’s 14,800+ strong staff share a vision and commitment to end hunger by 2030. Tackling the causes – not just the symptoms – and operating in the remotest corners of the world, with all logistical means necessary, WFP’s results-focussed team provides nutritious and life-saving food and cash assistance when necessary. Bringing unrivalled experience and operating in the world’s most high profile, difficult environments, WFP upholds the humanitarian principles of humanity, integrity impartiality and neutrality.
In successfully achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) i.e Zero Hunger by 2030, the WFP team actively fosters partnerships with governments, communities, local authorities, civil societies, other UN agencies and the private sector.
The Department for International Development (DFID) and Swiss Development Corporation (SDC) have requested WFP to provide services to SADC in order to implement the regional vulnerability assessment and analysis (RVAA) Strategic Plan 2017-2021. The five-year project was approved by DFID/SDC and SADC in April 2017. WFP will provide technical assistance to VAA in SADC and Member States (MS) to achieve the following outcomes: 1) Regional VAC structures strengthened and incorporated into SADC administrative and financial structures; 2) VAA approaches and methods strengthened, harmonised and integrated; 3) RVAA information products visible, accessible and influential to regional and national policies, strategies and programmes; 4) Enhanced regional learning, innovation and resilience building.
The overall objective of the technical service provision over the next 2-3 years is to: 1) Strengthen the technical capacity of VACs to broaden/integrate complex and emerging issues into the VAA (chronic vulnerability, poverty and resilience) and 2) add value to VAA by increasing technical rigor, coordination, quality and comparability of the analysis. In the longer term and by 2021, the programme seeks to contribute to the institutionalisation of the RVAC and NVAC system resources, and capacity to integrate various VAA tools and approaches for national planning processes and programme responses.
Job Context & Supervision:
The Programme Officer is responsible for the overall coordination of project implementation, quality assurance and budget planning & fund management. The position will be based in Johannesburg working closely with RVAA Technical Support Team based in Gaborone. He/she will work closely with the Technical Services Consultant on the day-to-day implementation of the RVAA programme.
Key activities:
Project Management
- Monitor programme implementation and proactively flag any issues in resource utilization, delays in receipt of deliverables, and quality of deliverables.
- Ensure that the programme is implementation is in line with the workplan milestone and key deliverables.
- Conduct day-to-day communications with SADC and the RVAA Technical Support Team based in Gaborone on work plans and scheduling activities to ensure that the reporting from the Technical Support Team is up-to-date.
- Proactively identify risks that are related to implementation of the work plan or the quality of the programme and proposed relevant solutions.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Organize training for technical team and staff on good business practice.
- Apply value-for-money principles and look for opportunities to optimize resources when selecting service providers and planning activities.
- Oversee programme quality and timeliness.
Budget planning and fund management
- Review budget plans, monitor and analyses project financial performance and make recommendations in compliance with WFP rules and regulations to support financial analysis and optimization of resources.
- Provide comprehensive analysis on fund and grant balances identifying surpluses and deficits, and suggest corrective measures, to support maximum fund utilization and decision-making process.
- Enter project budget plans and revisions in the corporate systems, to ensure data is timely and accurately captured enabling easy access to information and supporting planning and decision making.
- Review, compile and analyze budget data, maintain accurate records and files and prepare periodic and ad hoc reports, to support accuracy and efficiency of information presented to internal and external stakeholders.
- Maintain communication with a number of stakeholders regarding project funds management matters related processes, to clarify any discrepancies and optimize use of funds.
- Supervise the Finance Associate.
Donor reporting
- Compile regular and timely progress reports for donors.
- Provide ad hoc updates on programme implementation status to donors and SADC.
Perform other duties as required.
Standard Minimum Academic Qualifications:
At least a Master’s degree (or its university equivalent) in a relevant development discipline or Programme Management.
Experience: 8 years’ experience conducting food and nutrition security assessments and/or managing donor-funded programmes.
Knowledge and Skills: Familiarity with assessment and analysis and capacity building processes in Southern Africa region, project management skills. Strong oral and written communication skills, including report writing. High levels of inter-personal skill, tact, diplomacy, negotiation and facilitation ability. Strong project and team management skills. Strong networking and partnership building skills. Knowledge of WFP as well as SADC processes and experience in reporting to donors.
Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English is essential. Working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese, an asset.
More Information
- Job City Johannesburg
