Programme Policy Officer

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer (Project Coordinator)

Grade: NOC

Type of contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 12 Months

Duty Station: Peshawar, KP

Date of Publication: 4th April, 2025

Deadline of Application: 18th April, 2025

This Vacancy Announcement is for Pakistan Nationals Only.

Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities within the same job profile at the current or lower level in Pakistan.

TERMS & CONDITIONS
WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, pension, leave plus medical insurance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian organization, working to save lives in emergencies and improve food security in Pakistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), WFP has been operating for over three decades, focusing on emergency response, building livelihoods, nutrition and enhancing resilience to climate shocks. WFP's work in KP includes strengthening disaster management capacities and promoting climate-resilient agriculture, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable and food-insecure populations.

WFP has secured funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the implementation of an adaptation project titled "Integrated Climate Risk Management for Strengthened Resilience to Climate Change in Buner and Shangla Districts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan" aims to enhance community resilience to climate change, particularly riverine flooding. The initiative includes three key components: improving forecasting capacities, supporting community-based adaptation planning, and utilizing knowledge for replication and financial sustainability. The project focuses on strengthening early warning systems (EWS), developing anticipatory action (AA) protocols, and supporting climate-resilient livelihoods in the districts of Buner and Shangla. A key priority is ensuring that women and marginalized groups are actively involved in decision-making and benefit equitably from interventions. This project will directly benefit over 146,000 people in Buner and Shangla, with indirect benefits for 1.6 million people. It aims to build local capacity for flood forecasting, improve community preparedness, and reduce long-term vulnerabilities to climate-induced risks.

WFP Pakistan is seeking a proactive and experienced candidate to provide leadership and oversight for the effective implementation of the project as detailed in the project proposal. The role involves managing daily project operations, ensuring consistent monitoring of results and risks—including social and environmental aspects—and preparing timely reports. The candidate will also be responsible for managing project activities, coordinating procurement processes, and ensuring efficient and aligned project execution to achieve organizational objectives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

Under direct supervision of the head of the Provincial Office Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Project Management and Implementation:

• Lead the implementation of the GCF project, including managing the operations of the Project Management Unit (PMU). Ensure all project components are executed efficiently, fostering effective stakeholder coordination while adhering to GCF guidelines and aligning with WFP's strategic objectives.

• Manage project timelines, resource allocation, and team performance to ensure the timely achievement of project goals.

• Monitor and closely oversee project activities, providing guidance and supervision to project staff to maintain high performance standards.

• Prepare and submit Annual Work Plans and Budgets to the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for review, approval, ensuring timely delivery of all project inputs and outputs.

• Lead the procurement and installation of flood early warning systems in targeted districts, ensuring their efficient utilization and maintenance throughout the project lifecycle.

Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Strengthen technical capacities at provincial and district levels in flood forecasting, impact-based forecasting, and disaster risk management (DRM) by delivering training in multi-hazard risk assessments and data utilization.

• Work with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and District Disaster Management Units (DDMUs) to develop and implement updated, climate-sensitive DRM plans for local resilience and improved response strategies.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Foster strong collaboration among national and local institutions, including project governance bodies such as the PIU, PTWG, PMU, and PSC.

• Engage in upstream policy dialogue to build government capacity in planning, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring programs within a devolved environment.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Lead efforts to enhance the project's knowledge management and learning components, ensuring continuous improvement and effective dissemination of insights.

• Organize project workshops and meetings to monitor progress and prepare the Annual Budget and Work Plan. Submit semi-annual Project Progress Reports (PPRs) to the PSC and WFP.

Technical Oversight and Support:

• Provide technical guidance for developing local climate change adaptation plans in line with WFP guidelines and manuals, and support District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs) in implementing priority actions.

• Oversee the drafting of Terms of Reference for technical positions and the hiring of private sector partners to support capacity development.

• Lead the development of flood impact databases, implement climate-resilient livelihood strategies, and support agricultural diversity and market linkages. Engage women's associations to integrate climate adaptation measures into community governance and livelihood planning, reinforcing community-led DRM efforts.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Ensure timely preparation and submission of funding requests, financial and progress reports to the WFP Country Office in alignment with GCF reporting requirements.

• Maintain documentation and evidence of the appropriate and prudent use of project resources in accordance with GCF provisions, making these available to WFP and designated auditors as needed.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Communication:

• Implement and manage the project's monitoring and communication plans, tracking progress to ensure timely delivery.

• Organize and support mid-term and final evaluations in coordination with the WFP team, ensuring alignment with the project's objectives and timely corrective actions.

• Inform the PSC and WFP of any delays or challenges in implementation, facilitating timely interventions.

Operational and Strategic Partnerships:

• Establish and maintain operational and strategic partnerships to support collaborative approaches and advocacy, enhancing assistance packages and program impact.

• Strengthen WFP's position in forums related to food security, livelihoods, climate resilience, and disaster risk management through direct participation and the development of information materials.

Team Development and Training:

• Advise on and support the development of training programs to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners in delivering effective assistance.

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team to achieve high performance.

Other Duties:

• Perform other tasks as required by the supervisor to support the successful delivery of project objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree in Climate Change, Disaster Management, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Water resource management or other field relevant to international development assistance in Resilience OR first level university degree with additional 2 years of related work experience.

Experience:
Minimum of 7 years' professional / managerial experience working in climate adaptation, Resilience, Livelihoods, and Community Based Disaster Risk Management at both policy and implementation level. Prior working experience with GCF funded project will be preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in results-based project and program management, including the development, application, and oversight of logical frameworks and theories of change.

Knowledge & Skills:
Knowledge and practical experience of climate change policies, guidelines and adaptation programmes.
Extensive understanding of Green Climate Fund (GCF) project implementation processes.
Extensive experience working with key government ministries and authorities, including the Planning & Development Department, Agriculture Department, Ministry of Climate Change, Economic Affairs Division, NDMA, PDMAs, and Provincial Line Departments.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong ability to coordinate and collaborate with diverse groups of partners, particularly government bodies and UN agencies, to build effective strategic partnerships.
Proven track record of conceiving, designing, and implementing programs alongside government and UN counterparts under institutionalized arrangements, leading to long-term positive impacts on local communities.
High-level writing skills for preparing clear, concise, and well-structured internal and external documents.
Led a project team with support from the country office in the relevant area.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language, Urdu, and other local languages.

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (Job Openings at WFP). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.